TrailManor Owner's Forum - View Single Post

08-03-2008, 04:22 PM

I can't speak to your trailer weight, but I can tell you my experiences towing with my Astro:

2005 AWD Astro with additional transmission cooler (the website: astrosafari.com users forum all recommend an additional transmission cooler and it was a wise investment)

2619 TM so there is a weight difference from the trailer you asked about. If I recall my TM is about 2500 pounds??

We have a WDH but not changed or added anything to the suspension.

The van was loaded with 4 adults, and 2 large dogs. The trailer was also also quite ful (my wife packed)l. I didn't check the trailer weight before leaving. We traveled from So. California to Bridgeport about 360 north. We traveled with 2 other families driving in their RV's. We drove 3 major grades plus lesser grades. The first Cajon Pass (about a 4,000 ft. rise in elevation), the grade up to and past Tom's Place down to Lake Crowley (the elevation I don't know), and the last was from Lundy to Conway Summit (about an 1800 ft rise that felt worse than going over Cajon Pass with all the turns)

All of us were driving between 40-50 mph, even the guy with his 2007 RV. My van held it's own, and I never uncomfortable.

There were other grades to climb, but none as challenging. On any level ground I drive in overdrive. In areas with street lights, stop and go traffic, or long grades, I shift to the "tow/haul" mode.

I was also towing on the steep grades going up to Devils Postpile past the town of Mammoth Lakes. No one was driving fast.

The guy that installed my transmission cooler for towing has these suggestions:

Change a $75 "valve?" to make more positive shifts (we did that)

Don't install a guage for the transmission to monitor it. "It was overkill."

"The transmission should tolerate the demands without trouble, but no tow vehicle was designed to tow at 75 mph. Driving at those speeds will destroy or shorten the life of the transmission. Only drive this way if you plan to sell the vehicle to someone else."

"After climbing a long grade", (like the three I mentioned) pull over with the engine running and let the engine and transmission cool down. This will extend the life of the van, and avoid future breakdowns on your trip."

By the way, I did experience a drop in mileage. I went from 19 mpg to 16 mpg. Someone told me they had no drop in mileage while towing their TM. I politely nodded at this. All mileage drops when towing, but 3 mpg is pretty reasonable.

For me, the Astro was a wise choice. Most tow vehicles with do fine on the flats, but the elevation separates out vehicles. If you want to go 60 mph all the time, you'll not be satisfied with anything but a V8.

My 2 cents

08-03-2008, 04:22 PM	#7
mrosspa Guest Posts: n/a	I can't speak to your trailer weight, but I can tell you my experiences towing with my Astro: 2005 AWD Astro with additional transmission cooler (the website: astrosafari.com users forum all recommend an additional transmission cooler and it was a wise investment) 2619 TM so there is a weight difference from the trailer you asked about. If I recall my TM is about 2500 pounds?? We have a WDH but not changed or added anything to the suspension. The van was loaded with 4 adults, and 2 large dogs. The trailer was also also quite ful (my wife packed)l. I didn't check the trailer weight before leaving. We traveled from So. California to Bridgeport about 360 north. We traveled with 2 other families driving in their RV's. We drove 3 major grades plus lesser grades. The first Cajon Pass (about a 4,000 ft. rise in elevation), the grade up to and past Tom's Place down to Lake Crowley (the elevation I don't know), and the last was from Lundy to Conway Summit (about an 1800 ft rise that felt worse than going over Cajon Pass with all the turns) All of us were driving between 40-50 mph, even the guy with his 2007 RV. My van held it's own, and I never uncomfortable. There were other grades to climb, but none as challenging. On any level ground I drive in overdrive. In areas with street lights, stop and go traffic, or long grades, I shift to the "tow/haul" mode. I was also towing on the steep grades going up to Devils Postpile past the town of Mammoth Lakes. No one was driving fast. The guy that installed my transmission cooler for towing has these suggestions: Change a $75 "valve?" to make more positive shifts (we did that) Don't install a guage for the transmission to monitor it. "It was overkill." "The transmission should tolerate the demands without trouble, but no tow vehicle was designed to tow at 75 mph. Driving at those speeds will destroy or shorten the life of the transmission. Only drive this way if you plan to sell the vehicle to someone else." "After climbing a long grade", (like the three I mentioned) pull over with the engine running and let the engine and transmission cool down. This will extend the life of the van, and avoid future breakdowns on your trip." By the way, I did experience a drop in mileage. I went from 19 mpg to 16 mpg. Someone told me they had no drop in mileage while towing their TM. I politely nodded at this. All mileage drops when towing, but 3 mpg is pretty reasonable. For me, the Astro was a wise choice. Most tow vehicles with do fine on the flats, but the elevation separates out vehicles. If you want to go 60 mph all the time, you'll not be satisfied with anything but a V8. My 2 cents