[A/S] Re: Voyager van vs. 19' Globe Trotter

["Maurice Riggins" <maurice.riggins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

When you're building a vehicle out of sheet metal instead of on a 
full frame, that the inherent strength of a frame in many directions 
isn't there.  The thin panels are placed and oriented in a direction 
that provides only the minimum strength required for target goals, 
such as controlled crush in a crash... and a minimum strength to 
support a hitch with X amount of weight behind it.

Over the years, the engineers continually work to see how much metal 
can be eliminated, to lower weight and improve EPA fuel mileage 
ratings.  We've seen the towing capacity go down at the same time.  
The Ford Crown Vic is down to 1,500 lbs towing and now has a 
reputation for fuel tank fires in a rear collision, while the 
Chrysler minivans, known for so much body flex the tailgate won't 
stay locked at times (causing Chrysler to have to redesign the lock), 
is down to 2,000 lbs. IIRC, my '90 Voyager was rated at 3500 lbs, but 
I could be wrong about that.

While many people say that brakes are a factor in GVWR and not in 
GCWR (and hence tow rating) because the towed vehicle has its own 
brakes, the situation where the towed vehicle brakes aren't 
functional IS considered in determining GCWR (and hence tow rating).  
Trailers typically use drum brakes which overheat and fade away more 
quickly than modern disk brakes.  The specs tell you that the Voyager 
has sufficient brakes to stop itself at fully loaded weight, and at 
least 2,000 lbs behind it, under test conditions.  How they do beyond 
that is open to question, since they aren't designed or tested for 
that.

I won't be one to say you need a diesel, but if you're a Chrysler 
fan, I'd recommend at least a Durango with 5.9L V8 and 3.92:1 axle.

--
Maurice
WBCCI 5446