We're considering the Express/Savannah as a new tow vehicle - more cargo carrying than a pickup and cheaper, too. Plus our eBikes can fit into the van without having to fold them.

@JurgensJourneys

Жыл бұрын

Great choice! But good luck finding a new one these days. I settled for a 23 Tahoe but I m not sure how that will work out. I still have my AWD van 🚐. Even though it’s almost 20 years old with 212k miles it looks and drives better than most 5 year old models. My wife just doesn’t trust it anymore. She thinks it’s too old (like me) lol 😂. But it doesn’t use any oil and doesn’t have any rust. Even the seats look fine. Take care and God bless you.

@StressLessCamping

11 ай бұрын

@@JurgensJourneys Right? I am looking to order one from the factory - especially now that you can get the 6.6L gasser. I only wish they had something other than the 6-speed auto. Oh well. And no more 8-doors. 😞

@JurgensJourneys

11 ай бұрын

@@StressLessCamping That's great. at the first of this year I couldn't even order one.

We also tow with a van. 2018 Ford 350 EcoBoost. We took out all but the front and second seats and haul our gear and our ebikes in it. Love it! We have a T@b 400.

@JurgensJourneys

3 жыл бұрын

Wow! I bet that tows really well. I have always driven vans for both work and travel. Thanks for your support.

I’m seeing more and more people turning to vans as their tow vehicle! You have a great set up! Love the drawers!

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I know that a van is not as "cool" as a pickup, but it is much more practical for me, since it has a large, dry cargo area. I wish GM would offer a true 4 wheel drive, which is geared better, but all wheel has worked well for me. I would never go back to a 2 wheel drive. I will check out your channel very shortly and you have a Happy New Year.

@chrisludwig9783

4 жыл бұрын

Yes . We use an nv3500 Nissan great for towing

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

@@chrisludwig9783 That sounds like a great van.

I have a 2004 Express 1500G AWD too, and I was wandering how much I can tow without damaging the van. Your video is very helpful, THANK YOU!

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

If you have a 5.3 L engine. You can have a combined vehicle weight of 12,000 lbs. So if your van is loaded and weighs 7000 lbs then you can tow 5000 lbs. The most your trailer can weigh, if it is loaded, is 6000 lbs. provided the van weighs less the 6000 loaded. So there is a max of 6000 on the trailer, and a combined max of 12000lbs. I hope this makes sense and is helpful.

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

My trailer weighs 3800 empty and 5000 full. When I go camping the van is loaded to 7000 lbs with passengers and equipment. I went to a truck scale and checked both the van and the trailer.

I tow a 2015 Coachmen rbx151 hybrid trailer with my 2004 Express 1500 5.3 conversion van. Trailer is about 3000 lbs. dry, 3500 loaded, typically about 3300 as towed. Have an Anderson anti-sway wdh. I always recommend that you get a CAT scale account and weigh your rig, especially when you first start towing. I found that I needed to put more weight forward on the van and backward on the trailer once I weighed everything. The conversion van weighs 6400 lbs. with one passenger and no gear, so haven’t had any problems with sway, even in high winds. Using tow/ haul mode whenever the trailer is hooked up and would only use cruise control if the road is flat. Thinking about adding a second Chevy, this time a 2500 with the 6.0 V8 for trips through the mountains as I’m next door to the Blue Ridge.

@JurgensJourneys

3 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a good plan. I also weighed my rig, fully loaded. I was well within my weight limits. I also go to the Blue Ridge and have no problem pulling the 5000 lb trailer. Most of the time I use 3rd gear to tow, and keep it under 65mph. That’s because NC is more hilly than Florida or the plains. The van has a nice long wheel base so I have never encountered any sway using my equalizer hitch. I have towed a 20-23ft trailer for over 30 years with this type of van and love how they handle. I really appreciate your comment and hope we can cross paths some day. Safe journeys my friend!!!

@windrider65

2 жыл бұрын

I've got a 2017 Chevy Express extended 2500HD, with the 6.0 I tow a 29' Passport Grand touring, tows great, but in the mountains I wish it had the 6.7 Duramax.

all wheel drive sounds nice on a van, nice use of space also... that's my biggest concern is getting all my equipment in the shuttle

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

Like the storage. Nice use of space. 😊

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. It has been very practical.

Very nice sir. Towing with a van is great. We have 5 kids and 2dogs lol. it's the only way for us. Safe travels

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

Oh what precious cargo! How wonderful! Thanks, and you be safe too.

Running your playlist that’s a nice van

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 🤗 I appreciate that a bunch.

They should use this motor in some of the 2500 models..I think it would be better than the 4.8L..yours is ideal .nice rig..those are phenomenal engines.

@JurgensJourneys

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. You’re right. These 327 cubic inch motors have been around a long time with great results. Mine has 206k miles now and still uses no oil and oil pressure run’s between 40 and 60 psi. Of course, I NEVER miss an oil change. Thanks a lot for your support and comment.

Love Van Great Ideal on Rotten Bear if did not buy Class A i Might went that way

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, the van lets me unhook and get around very easily. The bear loves to stay in the van, so he doesn't come in the camper. He protects the van too when we have to go shopping and stuff. I don't have to worry about anyone trying to break in and steal my generator and stuff.

@jms60

4 жыл бұрын

@@JurgensJourneys our has come with me he service dog

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

@@jms60 That's great. What is his name? I'd love to see you do a video about him and what he does for you. I bet that would be a good video.

Nice van hard to find the awd now

@JurgensJourneys

3 жыл бұрын

It's been a good one, with 200k now.

What kinda mileage do you get towing

@JurgensJourneys

2 жыл бұрын

That’s a great question. It depends on the terrain. Between 6 and 12 mpg. Usually about 9 mpg here in to NC foothills, if I keep it under 65 mph. Driving 55 on flat roads, I get around 12 mpg. Pulling mountains 🏔 mileage goes way down, of course. Newer vans may do better. Hope this helps.

My wife and I are in the process of setting up for traveling and we already decided on chevy van but was wondering what kind of mpg do you get towing with the all wheel drive? thanks

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

It depends on how fast I drive, but with a combined vehicle and trailer weight of 12000 lbs, I get between 9-11 mpg's. My van gets about 15 otherwise. Hope this helps, and best wishes for your travels!

@exjw8623

4 жыл бұрын

@@JurgensJourneys thank you

@stevel6932

4 жыл бұрын

I also tow a 4000lb trailer with one of these. Mine is an Express 3500 with the 6.0 V8. Two wheel drive though. We’ve been all over the country with ours. I average 8-11 mpg when towing and 15 otherwise. I would replace the transmission cooler immediately if you plan on doing any serious towing. The factory cooler is pathetic.

@JurgensJourneys

4 жыл бұрын

Steve L You’re right about that. Good point. Thanks.

I have a 2004 1500 conversion van that I use to tow a hybrid camper that maxes out at about 3500 lbs. share.icloud.com/photos/0KzElCOe_BwpVDzOFyQSEMetg The conversion itself adds a lot of weight, so I picked a camper that would stay under 4000 lbs.

@JurgensJourneys

3 жыл бұрын

Canadarago Cool 😎. Is yours an all wheel drive? What is your rear axle ratio? Mine is a 3.73. Thanks for leaving your comment.

@Canadarago

3 жыл бұрын

@@JurgensJourneys Jurgen: it’s a 2WD with the 5.3-L V8. I think the rear axle ratio is 3.42 but I’m not 100% sure. It does have the tow/ haul mode, though. With a full tank, 2 adults, one child and gear, it comes up to 6600 pounds, somIve been keeping the trailer weight down. With a non- conversion van the weight must be lower.

@JurgensJourneys

3 жыл бұрын

Canadarago Very good. My passenger van, fully loaded is rated at 7200 lb. and with the trailer it has a combined weight rating of 12k lbs. I am just under that when I’m fully loaded. I did add an aftermarket transmission cooler. I also replaced my transmission with a new one at 170k miles as a precaution because it was acting up a little once in a while. I didn’t want it to go out when I was traveling. The engine is solid though, and still uses no oil in between 5k oil changes. How is yours on brake pads? I just put my FIRST set on after 196000 miles. I have never had a vehicle that did not need a brake job at least every 60k miles. I hope my second set lasts half that long, lol. Thanks for chatting.

@Canadarago

3 жыл бұрын

@@JurgensJourneys Jurgen: I recently had to get my front calipers replaced, mostly due to the van being on Long Island for 11 years, where salt air and moisture rust everything. Also had to replace a corroded brake line. Also needed a new radiator last year, since the end caps on radiators are now made of plastic. Looking to add a second tow - capable vehicle, either a used Toyota Sequoia or Chevy / GMC 2500 series with the 6.0L V8

@Canadarago

3 жыл бұрын

@@JurgensJourneys Also have Anderson WDH hitch, mostly for weight distribution. The van weighs so much more than the camper that I’ve not had problems with sway.