Trailer

[pleeboo]

I would like to know if my 1991 pontiac transport van 3.1 will pull a 30 foot trailer?

Is there anything that should be installed that would make it able to pull a 30 foot trailer?

[Jrs3800]

A 30 Ft Trailer...

I am sure it will pull it... Stopping it may be another question..

As well, if you are going to pull a 30 Ft Trailer( I don't recommend this ).... You will want a trans cooler and you'll want to make sure you have a Heavy Duty Cooling Radiator..

As well, you would be asking a 3.1L V6 at 120 Hp and 175 Ft Lbs to pull a lot of weight... The van on its own is in the 3600-3700 Lb range...

It also uses the smaller 3T40 Trans... You should be able to get a Class III hitch for the van..

I know I can get a class III hitch for my 95 TS... But the 94-95 Transports had the upgraded brakes... Bonneville Rotors( IIRC ) and Camaro Firebird calipers and pads.. As well I have the benefit of a 3800V6 and the larger 4T60-E Trans... Even with my Van I don't think I would want to pull a 30 Ft trailer due to the safety factor...

[Jeffrv]

I'm not sure that GM recoomended towing with that yaer/powertrian, or if they did, it was for a low weight rating, 750 or 1,000 pounds. I am presuming that 30 foot trailer is a RV, and will typically weight in in the 5,000 to 7,500 pound range, a weight beyond even many half ton trucks. As mentioned the second generation van had significantly improved brakes and suspension. My 95 with 3.8 is generously rated at 3,500 pounds towing when equipped with trailer tow package, but the salesman also cautioned that included stuff in the van as well as trailer behind it ie, 2 poeple moderate gear and a 2,800 pound trailer on the hitch to make up the 3,500 pounds. If you don't mind me saying so, I think you have way way too much trailer for that van, but if you want another opinion, contact Can-Am RV of London, Ont. I have never had any dealings with them, but they seem to be regarded as extremely knowledgeable in the RV field of towing.
reagrds
Jeff

[LMP]

Originally Posted by Jrs3800

... But the 94-95 Transports had the upgraded brakes... Bonneville Rotors( IIRC ) and Camaro Firebird calipers and pads.. ..

..I did not know that...but any improvement over my '93 brakes was definitely highly justified

[MagicRat]

The above posts are helpful. A 30 ft trailer is way, way too big to tow with this vehicle. Even if the little driveline can get the rig moving down the highway without destroying itself, trailer control is severely lacking.

30 ft RV trailers are very long and thus have 'high polar inertia' meaning the front and rear ends like to swing around. Primarily the van is too light and short to safely steer or control the trailer and its movements under any circumstances. This combo can easily start an oscillation (tailwagging) which the van simply cannot control and will inevitably lead to a bad accident, with severe property damage, risk of injury........ and a big ticket from the cops for unsafe towing.

I don't know what it's like in British Columbia, but around here (Ontario) the police would order such a rig off the road immediately and issue you a substantial $$$$ fine.

IMO the minimum you should drive to safely tow this is a 3/4 or 1-ton truck (dualie (dual rear wheel) pick up truck preferred )

[elroyas]

This will be no problem... To save the tranny instal an extra cooler (cheap and easy). Don't expect wunders, but it will get you there, Kenworth style.
I've done it, all across Europe... 7,6 meters/1600kgs trailer, 12 meter total length.


The 3.8 however has a better gearbox and powerrange. but thats not the question.

[96tsport]

Maybe it's an easy bolt on upgrade? Are the rears all the same?

Originally Posted by [B

Jrs3800[/b]]... But the 94-95 Transports had the upgraded brakes... Bonneville Rotors( IIRC ) and Camaro Firebird calipers and pads..

Originally Posted by LMP

..I did not know that...but any improvement over my '93 brakes was definitely highly justified

[Jrs3800]

Originally Posted by LMP

..I did not know that...but any improvement over my '93 brakes was definitely highly justified

Looks like the rotors were the same from 92-95... But the 94-96 used a different caliper..

I do have to say that my 95 does have good clamps on it for a van..

[Jrs3800]

Originally Posted by elroyas

This will be no problem... To save the tranny instal an extra cooler (cheap and easy). Don't expect wunders, but it will get you there, Kenworth style.
I've done it, all across Europe... 7,6 meters/1600kgs trailer, 12 meter total length.


The 3.8 however has a better gearbox and powerrange. but thats not the question.

For us US people thats 3500 Lbs... This is just about the point of towing another transport behind you.. Its still a lot of weight to stop or move for that matter.. The 4T60-E Trans was only meant to move 6000 Lbs on a good day... With the right package it could do 7000 Lbs, but even that is asking a lot..

Can it be done... Yes it can... Would I recommend it? Um.. No...

[96tsport]

Just went over an owners manual for a 96/3.4 180 horse engine.

Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,400 lbs. (630 kg)
with up to six occupants in the vehicle or more than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg) with up to two occupants. If you
have the optional trailer towing package, your vehicle
can tow up to 2,400 lbs. (1 090 kg) with up to six
occupants or up to 3,500 lbs. (1 575 kg) with up to two
occupants. But even that can be too heavy.

It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important,. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or gross
weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be
riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you
must add the tongue load to the GVW because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.

If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B). If you’re using a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.

Consider using a sway control if your trailer will
weigh 2,000 lbs. (900 kg) or less. You should always
use a sway control if your trailer will weigh more
than 2,000 lbs. (900 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.

You should use THIRD (D) (or, as you need to, a lower
gear) when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in
THIRD (D) when towing a trailer will minimize heat
buildup and extend the life of your transaxle.

Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle's tires.

[elroyas]

It's true, a bigger car is better.
But the question was can it be done? Probably because you have this car and occasionally want to tow a trailer.
Well it can and if you drive with concience it will not break down. The box is much stronger then guaranteed by the (warranty claimes?) manufacterers. Just keep the gearboxoil temperature within its limits. (Ad a cooler and drive a lower gear)
And of course, obey the law.
Note: I'm talking about a trailer with a braking system.

[96tsport]

Here's how the owners manual for years 93 & 95, which includes 3.1 & 3.8 engines, covers it.

Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,400 pounds (630 kg)
with up to six occupants in the vehicle or more than
2,000 pounds (900 kg) with up to two occupants. These
weight restrictions apply to both the 3.1L V6 engine and
the 3800 V6 engine (without the optional trailert owing
package). If you have the 3800 V6 engine, and have the
optional trailer towing package, your vehicle can tow up
to 2,400 pounds (1 090 kg) with up to six occupants or
up to 3,000 pounds (1 360 kg) with up to two occupants.
But even that can be too heavy.
(see above post for the rest..)

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by elroyas

This will be no problem... To save the tranny instal an extra cooler (cheap and easy). Don't expect wunders, but it will get you there, Kenworth style.
I've done it, all across Europe... 7,6 meters/1600kgs trailer, 12 meter total length.


The 3.8 however has a better gearbox and powerrange. but thats not the question.

I appreciate seeing those pics, but that is one scary sight to see. I presume they are from Europe?

Respectfully, (and I am being friendly here)I do not think an obviously overloaded minivan is anything to boast about.

I have seen European pictures of trailers that size being towed by minivans and compact SUV's.......... in accident scene photos and videos. Over there, full size light trucks are very rare so they tow with whatever they have got. But that does not mean it is acceptably safe.

As noted above, a rig like that would likely earn you a traffic ticket in this province.

In any kind of emergency situation, especially involving sway or emergency manoevers, that minivan would not have the ability to control a trailer like that.
Yes, most of the time we can arrive at our destination without encountering an emergency, but I would not want to risk my life nor the lives of others on the road by towing a rig like that. A full-size truck would be much preferable.

BTW I have never seen that much trailer mass and length built on a single axle trailer platform before. Dual axles add much to the stability of a long trailer.