Here is the backstory.
Some of you know the beast I pull with my Astro. It is a 2003 AWD with the lousy 3.42 gears. The trailer is a 25' bunkhouse that weighs 4099 dry. And I'm aware the manual says max 4600 in my config.
Every year we hit the RV shows and start thinking about a new trailer, tow rig - most likely a suburban-, or a class C. Either way it ends up being a 60k minimum hit. So every year we punt and say not now as the Astro and trailer are paid off.
So yes the Asto is a bit anemic but it will pull ok here in nice flat Florida. At the moment I wouldn't go someplace like the TN mountains but I've hauled it all over the state from Disney, the Keys and east coast Lion Country Safari.
The problems I've had so far are: Going through the hills in Orlando, I sometimes kick down to 2nd gear and 45mph. That tends to tick people off. Also once going across state in a 30mph headwind I could not get out of 2nd gear and 40mph. I tend to get pushed around by big trucks or buses on the highway which makes for a bit of a tiring drive.
So far I have added a rear sway bar, transmission cooler and re-tuned the trans with HPTuners. All with very positive results. On trips I average 9-10 mpg which is also in-line with a class C.
Problems: I got talked into touring tires at the tire shop vs. replacing my BFG AT KO's. The sidewalls on the touring tires suck. I suspect this is a good portion of my being pushed around as the AT's were awesome but a little noisy.
Here are my random thoughts and ideas to possibly stave off a 60k hit:
4.10 gears - ugh as I have to do front and rear. Should help big time with towing. The van is only used now for kid drops at schools as my wife is a stay at home. Don't laugh but I sold here crappy Dodge Caravan as it was falling apart and bought me the bottom end Nissan Versa as a commuter car. Not counting repairs, I'm saving 80.00 a month compared to the Dodge.
Dumping the touring tires and getting Firestone Destination LT tires rather than the BFG's. Posts on here say the sidewalls are stiff and they are quieter than the BFG's, of course..
1" spacers on the rear axle. I know I hate spacers too, just thinking the whole Pontiac wider is better advertisement on TV.
Any other random ideas or crazy thoughts are appreciated. If it wasn't and AWD, I'd look at a V8 swap.
I also found a 23' bunkhouse that is higher, wider but 800lbs lighter. That could end up being "just" a 12k hit. But not a perfect space/layout solution.
Here is a photo of the current config.
![Image]()
Some of you know the beast I pull with my Astro. It is a 2003 AWD with the lousy 3.42 gears. The trailer is a 25' bunkhouse that weighs 4099 dry. And I'm aware the manual says max 4600 in my config.
Every year we hit the RV shows and start thinking about a new trailer, tow rig - most likely a suburban-, or a class C. Either way it ends up being a 60k minimum hit. So every year we punt and say not now as the Astro and trailer are paid off.
So yes the Asto is a bit anemic but it will pull ok here in nice flat Florida. At the moment I wouldn't go someplace like the TN mountains but I've hauled it all over the state from Disney, the Keys and east coast Lion Country Safari.
The problems I've had so far are: Going through the hills in Orlando, I sometimes kick down to 2nd gear and 45mph. That tends to tick people off. Also once going across state in a 30mph headwind I could not get out of 2nd gear and 40mph. I tend to get pushed around by big trucks or buses on the highway which makes for a bit of a tiring drive.
So far I have added a rear sway bar, transmission cooler and re-tuned the trans with HPTuners. All with very positive results. On trips I average 9-10 mpg which is also in-line with a class C.
Problems: I got talked into touring tires at the tire shop vs. replacing my BFG AT KO's. The sidewalls on the touring tires suck. I suspect this is a good portion of my being pushed around as the AT's were awesome but a little noisy.
Here are my random thoughts and ideas to possibly stave off a 60k hit:
4.10 gears - ugh as I have to do front and rear. Should help big time with towing. The van is only used now for kid drops at schools as my wife is a stay at home. Don't laugh but I sold here crappy Dodge Caravan as it was falling apart and bought me the bottom end Nissan Versa as a commuter car. Not counting repairs, I'm saving 80.00 a month compared to the Dodge.
Dumping the touring tires and getting Firestone Destination LT tires rather than the BFG's. Posts on here say the sidewalls are stiff and they are quieter than the BFG's, of course..
1" spacers on the rear axle. I know I hate spacers too, just thinking the whole Pontiac wider is better advertisement on TV.
Any other random ideas or crazy thoughts are appreciated. If it wasn't and AWD, I'd look at a V8 swap.
I also found a 23' bunkhouse that is higher, wider but 800lbs lighter. That could end up being "just" a 12k hit. But not a perfect space/layout solution.
Here is a photo of the current config.
