Diesel van towing vehicle

joefish · Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 4:55 pm Post subject: Diesel van towing vehicle

Just uploaded some photos of a 2015 Chevy 2500 Express van. It took quite a while to plan and purchase this van but I really love it. The Duramax diesel tows very well, rarely downshifts. Quigley installed 4WD which is GM certified/warranted. (Gotta have 4WD on some ramps.) In the back it has a sofa that folds into a bed plus removable captain's chairs. Windows all around for visibility but with accordian shades on the inside for privacy. So convenient to hop in the back on long trips and take a quick nap -- with heat or AC as is. Two thumbs up for the 4X4 diesel van towing vehicle!!

rogerbum · Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 5:05 pm Post subject:

Here's a photo of the beauty. Any interior shots?

joefish · Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 5:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks Roger! "Interior shots", I knew that would be the next question. Very Happy

Working on interior shots!

potter water · Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 6:35 pm Post subject:

And I'll bet it was very affordable too:)

BrentB · Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 6:59 pm Post subject:

Very nice

What is the towing capacity?

You might consider installing carbon monoxide detector when sleeping inside with the engine running

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 8:45 pm Post subject:

Does it have a diesel heater in the back like they put in some of the Sprinter vans?

joefish · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:33 am Post subject:

Interior shots just uploaded. They show the back of the van with captains chairs replaced with a mattress which is my preference when traveling alone or with my wife and the dog. There's no running water or head. We simply take a cooler along and make bathroom stops. When traveling alone I like to go to 24 Hour Planet Fitness-type places to exercise and take a shower. For 20 bucks it's worth it to me and beats the price and inconvenience of getting a hotel room.

Towing capacity: 10,000 lbs.
Carbon monoxide detectors a good idea. Thanks!

There are heating vents in the back of the van that work well, and it has a cold weather package which includes the ability to plug in the engine block and includes a "Fuel-Operated Auxiliary Heat Generator Supplements HVAC and rear auxiliary heater." From what I gather, and even the Chevy dealer was unsure, this helps to heat the engine.(?)

JamesTXSD · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 7:30 pm Post subject:

That looks like a VERY capable hauler. Before we got into motorhoming, we had several vans that were our traveling/camping conveyance. Comfortable to drive. After a lot of miles with our GMC truck with the Duramax engine and the Allison transmission, I am a BIG fan.

Your van looks great! Thumbs Up

Jim

Da Nag · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 12:14 am Post subject:

Unless they changed things recently, they don't pair the Allison with the Duramax in the vans. Probably not a huge deal, as they also de-tune the diesels in vans - primarily due to lack of adequate cooling in the more confined spaces they reside in.

Had a Quigley conversion in my 7.3 PowerStroke E350 van several years back, along with a SportsMobile pop top - worked very well. Didn't tow as well as my truck, but it was definitely adequate and much nicer for the road trips. I've had second thoughts throughout the years as to whether I should have hung on to that one...

On my Ford, the Quigley conversion used all factory parts for the front suspension and drivetrain - taken straight from F350's, using only brackets for the van. That was nice for servicing, as virtually anyone could work on it with off the shelf parts. Not sure if Quigley does something similar on the GM vans or not.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:06 am Post subject:

Right you are, Bill. I spent a little time on GM's site last night and saw that the transmission in their vans is a "heavy-duty 6 speed transmission."

The horsepower is rated at 260, so 100 or so less than the Duramax in the pickups.

I sure do like the looks and capabilities of this van. For full disclosure: my first car was actually a van... a '61 Ford Econoline. I can only imagine what Joan's parents thought: "It isn't bad enough that he shows up on a motorcycle, now he has a van!" Disgust

Jim