[A/S] Re: Towing Question

["vrmanac <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>" <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Kelly
You would likely need to purchase a new Astro to get the 3.73:1 axle 
ratio,  there is no advantage to an older Astro.  The new one comes 
with 16" wheels and not to bad a tires on it and gas charged shocks 
so it does not need much modification.  

Hitching is critical though, torsion bars have to be set at the right 
tension, 2 Eaz-lift friction bars are a good idea.  The ball needs to 
be as close as possible to the back bumper on the tow vehicle and set 
at the correct angle. The hard part is finding a hitch installer that 
really does a good job with this, at an International Rally most of 
the Airstreams are very poorly set with only about 1 in 10 being 
really well done.  The other option is a Hensley which works even 
better on short overhang vehicles.   I would strongly suggest a 
Jordan or Hydraulic brake control as well. 

Here we set up about 100 vans a year the Astro was a very popular 
from 87 through the mid 90's.  Lately we have not been doing nearly 
as many of them as there are other vans that perform and handle 
considerably better with better economy.  Basically the Astro is 
somewhat dated in its design the vehicle pretty much is that same as 
the original 87 and the engine has not had much work since 1992.  The 
Honda Odyssey and the Ford Windstar are two other vans to consider. 
Though the tow ratings are lower both will out tow the Astro pretty 
much any way you want to measure it.  The wheelbase is 10" longer 
with no additional overhang the centre of gravity is much lower, rack 
and pinion steering, and on the Odyssey independent rear suspension 
all combine to make them extremely stable tow vehicles.  We look at 
overhang as a percentage of the wheel base and these two have about 
as good a ratio as any vehicle you can buy.  Properly connected a 
transport will often sneak by you won't feel it.  On our testing on 
the race track their high speed lang changes and slalom speeds are 
nearly as good as some SUV's solo and the Honda especially has a very 
short stopping distance when towing and Airstream.

The Windstar has slightly more power than the Astro (200 vs 180) but 
much less drag so there is quite a bit more power left over to pull 
the Airstream.  The Odyssey has about 230 Horsepower and a very nice 
5 speed automatic transmission.  The disadvantage to the Honda is the 
price and a smaller fuel tank.

Both vehicles have very good track records.  We have done over 300 
Windstars since 1997 and 64 Odyssey's.  I have driven personally 
10,000 miles towing with a Windstar.  We have customers approaching 
80,000 miles on Windstars and 70,000 on Honda's with no major 
problems on any of them.

Towing an Airstream they will run 70 mph all day long and give about 
12 mpg slow them down to 55 and you will see 15-16 in good 
conditions.  Solo mileage runs around 25 mpg highway.  You do slow 
down when you come to a large hill the steeper interstate grades will 
slow you to 50 mph in second gear and a few like 11,000 foot 
Independence Pass in Colorado will have you in low at 30 mph.  I 
don't find this to be a big problem myself but some do want to be 
able to climb every grade at 70 mph.  You will make up any time lost 
on the grades at the gas station mind you.  

I am sure that some of you will find all this talk of towing with a 
van quite shocking and certainly they are not for everyone but they 
do answer a significant need for many Airstream owners they are a 
very convenient economical day to day vehicle with lots of interior 
space that can double as a tow vehicle on weekends and vacations.

Andy