SUBJECT: # 11169: Towing with a conversion van?

Submitted by Kevin (4.245.63.120) from OKLAHOMA on 5/14/05 11:36:00 PM

I’m seeking advice on using a conversion van as a tow vehicle. I’m considering purchasing a very well maintained late model Chevrolet G20 van, with a 4.3 liter engine. My questions are:
1. Will this tow a 19’ bass boat with ease?
2. I noticed the G20 is listed as a ¾ ton van, yet it has a 5 lug rear end, where as the ¾ chevy trucks have a 6 lug rear end, why the difference?
3. Is the 4.3 liter engine a 6 cylinder or a small V8?

1. 5/15/05 5:21:00 AM Submitted by xctycoach (12.210.237.246) from ILLINOIS says I'll give it a shot.
   I have a 4.3 litre in an Astrovan AWD with a tow rating of 5,300 lbs. I tow a rig that goes about 2,750 lbs. ready to fish. My Astro does real well with this load. Your van is bigger and heavier than mine. The van you're talking about should tow a 19 footer but I'm not sure about the "easy" part. Does the rig you're asking about have brakes? Pulling is one thing. Stopping is the part you have to worry about. Check the tow rating on the van for a starting point. Be very conservative. If your rig is over 2/3 the tow rating I wouldn't go there. If it's you and your buddy going fiahing for a day that's one thing. Add the wife, a few kids and going on vacation bags and it's something else.

   Can't answer the second question.

   As for question 3 the 4.3 liter is a V-6. It's essentially a 350 V-8 with two cylinders removed. As I understand this motor it's a low-tech, ancient design. It has stayed around because it works. Know lots of guys that have or have had one and all like it. Only drawback that I've heard of is that it sucks a lot of gas for a V-6. But then it's a big V-6.

   Hope this helps.

   Craig

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2. 5/15/05 8:09:00 AM Submitted by Alex from GA (66.168.203.226) from GEORGIA says Like coach said.
   Also you should consider changing the intake manifold gaskets if they haven't been changed already. Sooner or later they all leak.

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3. 5/15/05 8:18:00 AM Submitted by Geo (67.163.156.177) from PENNSYLVANIA says G20 van
   I tow with a "92" V8-350 model, also a 19 foot boat. I don't try to go 75mph, except downhills, usually 60-65, not in OD, and I probably average 12-15 depending on the hills I have to climb to get to the ramp. My van is very heavy, 6400lbs, by itself empty, it is the long wheelbase model.

   Stopping is not a problem with or without trailer brakes. I have trailer brakes, but a few times I have had problems or left the brakes disengaged, I stop with no trouble either way, but I am not one to drive behind you right up on your bumper at 55mph.

   I also do not beatup the vehicle pulling hills anymore, as in I downshift and slow down to climb the really steep stuff. I bought my van used and it developed a tranny problem shortly after the 1 month warranty expired. It was not to bad, but a few years later, the tranny overheated twice while towing. After the rebuild, I added a second cooler and a tranny temp gauge, which I watch constantly.

   Overall having a van is great, lots of room for stuff if needed, holds 7 people, I can sleep on its fold down back seat, miss the 4WD in the winter, but with snow tires is goes better than any front WD car I own. Got stuck on a gravel ramp once, but I was in the boat on the trailer at the time, I did have to get in to drive it out, just a matter of knowing your own vehicle.

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4. 5/15/05 10:42:00 AM Submitted by miker2 (68.56.170.29) from FLORIDA says intakes
   i'm not 100% sure about this , but sure enough to to bet on it. the v6 intake problems that GM has been having are all or nearly all with the 3.8 engine which is a whole different animal. the plastic intake manifold deteriorates from egr-valve heat and causes the coolant leak. new gaskets dont fix this problem.

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5. 5/15/05 9:01:00 PM Submitted by McCoy (64.12.116.130) from TENNESSEE says Leaking manifold gaskets
   I have had an s-10 and an Astro. Both with 4.3 liters and never had any manifold gasket problems. Both had well over 100,000 miles when they were traded off. The problem with the leaks is that people can't leave their radiators alone. Never take the cap off and you won't get air into the system and you won't have gasket problems.

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6. 5/16/05 9:10:00 AM Submitted by Tee (198.97.67.58) from OHIO says All GM's...
   Sorry to say, "have a tendency to leak":(

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7. 5/16/05 2:59:00 PM Submitted by PowerwormWBC from WASHINGTON says 4.3
   I have a 97 S10 with the vortec 4.3. Mine is 2wd, and has great power, I used to drag race it, nothing spectacular, but its modded. I bought a new 18 foot boat, see my pic in the Boats section. I have only pulled it home once, but I did have to go up a big hill and it did good. I did pull it on flat ground in Overdrive, 63 mph at 2000 rpm's, didnt downshift or hunt for gears once. I think the 4.3 in that van may be a dog, and pulling a 19 footer, hmmm may not do it well. And also, my lower intake started leaking at 65k miles haha. All fixed now.

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8. 5/16/05 5:06:00 PM Submitted by RedAllison (24.176.116.170) from TENNESSEE says Tow with a G20???
   Dang skippy I would, they are great vans. Tow with a 4.3? Dang skippy again, IMHO they are THE greatest V6s in the industry. BUT... I wouldn't put the two together. The 4.3 is a great tow engine in S10s and Astro Vans. The G20 needs a V8 to properly tow a boat.

   I aint sure but the reason that G20 might have a 5 lug rearend is because it is equipped with a 6cyl. Had it been ordered with a V8 it wouldve had the larger 6lug rearend under it.

   As good of a deal as it might seem, for towing a glass 19'er I would pass on it and find one with a V8. Conversion vans are a dime a dozen. They are larger than most folks want and with gas prices today they are in low demand. This makes their resale lower. You can find 1 or 2 year old Conversion vans selling for half their new sticker price. You can get MUCH more vehicle for the money than say a ext cab pickup or a SUV. Personally I LOVE a conversion van. They are like traveling in your living room and when properly equipped they will pull boats like little else on the road. If I didn't need a pickup or offroad vehicle for hunting, instead of my Avalanche I would have a fully customized raised-roof Astro for my daily driver and Alli hauler...

   Good luck, RA

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9. 5/16/05 6:29:00 PM Submitted by beartrap from GEORGIA says conversion vans
   used a Chevrolet conversion van(with 350 V/8) to fish Hydrasport trail back in mid 80's and we pulled a boat all over the southeast....it was a great vehicle...plenty of room for all your stuff and comfortable...get tired late at night...pull into rest stop and sleep awhile......agree with couple of above posts that the 4.3 is gonna struggle with full size bassboat and weight of the van...good advice that Red gave you about watching for a conversion van right now.....

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10. 5/17/05 3:47:00 PM Submitted by Curious George (208.248.162.220) from TEXAS says Check the Bumper...
    A company I do some work with has a fleet of G20's that they tow trailers with occassionaly. If you do this, be sure and check out the rear bumper. The bumpers on these (2000-2004 models, I think) are all stamped "Not For Towing. If Towing a Trailer A Frame-Mounted Receiver Hitch is Required," or something to that effect. Just one more thing to look for.

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