98 windstar towing capacity

[franger]

hi all
a few details to start: 3.8l with 137,000 kms, no trac contol, installed external tranny cooler and class II hitch. change the tranny oil every year and so far other than a few hiccups shifts ok. i realize that the owners manual contains towing capacities but was wondering if anyone has had any actual towing experience with this year/model. in my case it would be a 16 ft fiberglass bowrider with a 90 hp outboard (not yet purchased). not sure of the weight of this rig, but hoping someone out there has towed a similar set up. any input appreciated.

[phil-l]

I tow a 2500 pound GVWR popup camper with my 2000 Windstar LX 3.8.

I added an auxiliary transmission cooler, AirLift 1000 spring airbags to firm up the rear end, Class II 2" receiver hitch, full-size spare tire and a number of wiring upgrades for lighting and a brake controller.

I'm very pleased with the combination; it tows straight and stable, and stops with confidence.

Minivan towing is a common topic on some of the RV boards. If you want to learn more, do some searches in the towing-related forums on www.popupexplorer.com and www.rv.net. Note that the general concensus is that the Windstar/Freestar is among the most competent minivans for towing.

More info:
Pictures of my electrical upgrades and transmission cooler
Pictures of AirLift 1000 spring airbag installation

[markdude]

Originally Posted by franger

hi all
a few details to start: 3.8l with 137,000 kms, no trac contol, installed external tranny cooler and class II hitch. change the tranny oil every year and so far other than a few hiccups shifts ok. i realize that the owners manual contains towing capacities but was wondering if anyone has had any actual towing experience with this year/model. in my case it would be a 16 ft fiberglass bowrider with a 90 hp outboard (not yet purchased). not sure of the weight of this rig, but hoping someone out there has towed a similar set up. any input appreciated.

Hey, I have the exact van you have (with the trac control). we have gone camping twice in the last 2 weeks pulling a 2000lb tent trailer and no problems. we have a class II hitch and a tranny cooler. So I am assuming you should not have any problems. it pulled very well.

[wiswind]

I have towed a trailer on a trip to Tennessee (about 600 miles one way) full of "stuff"....and a bunch of kids in the van. I have the auxillary transmission cooler, and full synthetic fluid in the transmission. I change the fluid each year. The vehicle does very well......watch for times that you are stopped in traffic.....shift into neutral to reduce work for the transmission.......
I also bought a "anti-rattle clip" for my reciever. I was amazed at how much it reduced....make that eliminated the rattle (clunking) whenever the trailer hits a bump. It keeps the shaft that the ball is mounted on from rattling in the receiver. It cost about $16. It came with a big knob on the bolt. I have a "hidden hitch" and had to mount the clip with the bolt to the side....... I went to Autozone and bought a bolt that did not have the big knob on it.....as there was no room for the knob unless I put it on the bottom.....which is not the place to have it.
It was really nice not having any clunking on the whole trip....did not compete with any of of the kid's music selections.
I have no factory towing package....and would NOT add to the transmission load without a good auxillary cooler. The vehicle handled the big hills and mountains just fine.....including down and back up that 8% grade, 2 mile hill, at Dunlap, Tennesee.