What do you think of a new Chevy 3500/one ton cargo van with the detuned Duramax diesel for towing a 25 Cruiser? I'm spoiled with a GMC 2500 pickup with the Duramax diesel and Allison transmission. Absolutely love the towing capacity. But the truck bed is underused. Even with a cap its often too hot or too cold to sleep in. Same goes for the C-Dory being pulled when the temps are way hi or lo. I long for a van with a bed and seating in the back (just like vans of the 60's 70's :smiled ) that has heat and AC for sleeping and the dog and people have more space. Just not sure about the seemingly "detuned" Duramax 260hp and 525ft.lbs towing capacity is rated 10,000 lbs. I probably wouldn't think twice about it except that the Duramax pickup truck has considerably more power about 400hp and 745ft.lbs torque - that's hard to beat! Then there's the Allson transmission.... the van has what seems to be a beefy Chevrolet tranny, but its not an Allison. I'm wondering if I will be disappointed with the towing power of the van. Thanks for your comments/suggestions. BTW would also consider going the whole 9 yds and adding a Quigley 4WD since its not available from Chevrolet.
Chevy "Duramax" Van for towing
- Thread starter joefish
- Start date
I certainly agree, if you have the truck there are several excellent "pop top" type of truck campers even for a short bed. The van will be fine for towing--in the mountains you might notice a few miles per hr less going up grades, and an exhaust brake if you had one on the Allison. (Hard to beat that Allison).
My experience with a standard top van for conversion and sleeping, is that the head room is limited, sort of crawling back to the bunk. --OK for a few days on the road, but something like the Road Trek or Liesure Travel--even Sportsman are better for "camping". On the other hand, we did a lot of on the road camping in the 25, with a small window air conditioning, and a Honda generator, when not in camp grounds. Never had a campground reject the 25 as a "camper".
My experience with a standard top van for conversion and sleeping, is that the head room is limited, sort of crawling back to the bunk. --OK for a few days on the road, but something like the Road Trek or Liesure Travel--even Sportsman are better for "camping". On the other hand, we did a lot of on the road camping in the 25, with a small window air conditioning, and a Honda generator, when not in camp grounds. Never had a campground reject the 25 as a "camper".
Contrarian ideas are welcome. They make me think. The generator with AC and heater makes sense for year round comfort on the boat. But when I stopped this year on a trip to the Keys from VA, it was COLD outside and I couldn't get warmed up in the C-Dory. It's also not that convenient or stealthy climbing in and out of the boat in a parking lot when its freezing cold. For a 2 or 3 hour nap, the back of a van would already be warmed or cooled. And I don't always travel pulling the boat.
We keep one side in the back of the large SUV ready for those naps with an air mattress and sleeping bag--currently a Yukon XL, previously a Excursion diesel. The air mattress takes the full length on one side, with gear in boxes on the other side. This works well for us--and the Yukon XL is my "daily driver". It is a little on the light side for the 25, but with the 3/4 ton, heavy duty tow package, and a diesel Allison conversion ($$$) would be great--better to go with the van!
As for getting in and out, we use a Cosco small step ladder; weight about 30 lbs, and it is easily removed or put in the cockpit standing on the side of the trailer, or top of the diamond plate fenders. When we get under way, the ladder stays in the truck.
Getting warm: with out a diesel heater (even the Wallas will not heat the boat up well enough when it is really cold), if you have a generator, you can use one of the 1500 watt cube electric heater. We find that on "hi" they do great--and the heat can be directed toward the bunk if necessary. Also consider insulation for the hull sides and under side of the deck--such as 1/2" closed cell foam. We also have the bubble foil material (Home depot) cut for all of the windows, and this blocks a lot of heat loss, or heat intrusion--if this is not enough, then one can foam pads cut to fit the windows (such as the foam back packing pads).
As for getting in and out, we use a Cosco small step ladder; weight about 30 lbs, and it is easily removed or put in the cockpit standing on the side of the trailer, or top of the diamond plate fenders. When we get under way, the ladder stays in the truck.
Getting warm: with out a diesel heater (even the Wallas will not heat the boat up well enough when it is really cold), if you have a generator, you can use one of the 1500 watt cube electric heater. We find that on "hi" they do great--and the heat can be directed toward the bunk if necessary. Also consider insulation for the hull sides and under side of the deck--such as 1/2" closed cell foam. We also have the bubble foil material (Home depot) cut for all of the windows, and this blocks a lot of heat loss, or heat intrusion--if this is not enough, then one can foam pads cut to fit the windows (such as the foam back packing pads).
maryvmcclain
New member
I hope you get the van and give us a full report... only for selfish reasons... I really wanted a camping van but couldn't find one what had enough power for the boat. The roadtrek and similar just didn't cut it.
I figure you can also pay for a "van conversion" on it (pricey) to make it into a real camper. Or add a poptop to it.
Good luck with your decision.
Mary McClain
Freedom 23 Venture
I figure you can also pay for a "van conversion" on it (pricey) to make it into a real camper. Or add a poptop to it.
Good luck with your decision.
Mary McClain
Freedom 23 Venture
Wandering Sagebrush
Free Range Human
Joe, have you considered keeping the pickup, and getting one of the pop top truck campers? We just bought a new Four Wheel Camper (FWC) to go on our older truck, and spent a bit over three weeks in it during February and early March. Empty, it weighs about 1400 pounds. Fully loaded, around 2000 pounds. The truck doesn't even know it's there. We will use it when pulling the boat or Airstream, and solo as well. Here's a shot as it was being delivered and installed.
FWC has been in business for 40 years, and are recognized as one of the more capable pop tops. They're made for off road use.
FWC has been in business for 40 years, and are recognized as one of the more capable pop tops. They're made for off road use.
maryvmcclain":1fxy5jw3 said:
I don't have experience with the 23 venture, but I towed our first 22 with a 1993 Roadtrek on a one ton Dodge chassis with the 5.2L V 8. No problems--if anything the transmission is the weak link in these units. The newer Roadtreks with a larger Chevy V8 should be fine. If you really load the van down, it may be overloaded. But the towing capacity is rated at 6800 lbs (the one I had-and some of the newer ones I looked at).
We did tow the 25 short distances and it was more than I would want to do on a regular basis.
Charless Fowlkes has a van he has converted to a camper with a pop top--all home made, and they travel many thousands of miles towing all sorts of boats, including their C Dory 22, and a 30 foot Etchells 22. Here is his blog about this, including powering the Etchells with a Honda 2 hp:
http://etchells20.blogspot.com
I'll bet that rig is pretty close to the weight of a C Dory 25. Send Charless a PM or EM, and I'll bet he will give you some good information on van conversion and boat towing….
We had a Dodge 3500 (one ton) chassis with the Leisure Travel Class B van camper. It did not have enough towing capacity for the CD-25, but did a fine job pulling other boats we previously owned. That is a great combination, boat and van.
I wasn't aware of Chevy having the Duramax in a van (we did look at a Chinook with the Ford diesel). The Duramax in our GMC pickup is great! The Allison transmission is what makes that set up so slick, though. I would have concerns about the Chevy transmission (assuming it is essentially the same transmission as in the 1500 pu).
I completely get the van premise. Talk to a Chevy dealer (service manager) to see what they say about the transmission. I had asked our Dodge dealer about our Leisure Travel hauling the CD-25, and he told me: "I wouldn't do it. Your money, your call, but I don't recommend it." That's why we bought the truck.
Let us know what you decide.
Best wishes,
Jim
I wasn't aware of Chevy having the Duramax in a van (we did look at a Chinook with the Ford diesel). The Duramax in our GMC pickup is great! The Allison transmission is what makes that set up so slick, though. I would have concerns about the Chevy transmission (assuming it is essentially the same transmission as in the 1500 pu).
I completely get the van premise. Talk to a Chevy dealer (service manager) to see what they say about the transmission. I had asked our Dodge dealer about our Leisure Travel hauling the CD-25, and he told me: "I wouldn't do it. Your money, your call, but I don't recommend it." That's why we bought the truck.
Let us know what you decide.
Best wishes,
Jim
I towed my fully loaded 22 with a fully loaded (on an extended trip) Class B camper van and it felt like it had power to spare (and it did have capacity to spare, based on scale weights, although not a lot). But this was with two people and a LOT of gear. And it was "only" the 3/4 ton with a V-8. The same van in a one-ton with a V-10 I would presume would be that much more capable. I would think it would work well with a Venture 23 sized boat (?)
On the diesel: Admittedly I'm not a "diesel person" when it comes to road vehicles, but I'm not sure I would want the heat and noise of one "in my lap" (as the engine is in a van). I'm not saying they are overly noisy, but even the gas engine in a van is "right there." Perhaps that's all ironed out and accounted for, but just something to check. Also perhaps check to see that the cooling system will be adequate. I only have a "glimmer of a memory" but I thought that previous Chevy diesel vans may have had heat dissipation problems (?) I'm thinking something in the past ten years or so, but again, that may be old news and no longer a thing (or I may be mis-remembering it)..
I can't say enough about towing/traveling with a van. Fantastic - for me anyway. I like to use the vehicle for camping when on the road with the boat, and too, there are times I leave the boat behind and just use the camper. Of course not everyone likes the same things.
On the diesel: Admittedly I'm not a "diesel person" when it comes to road vehicles, but I'm not sure I would want the heat and noise of one "in my lap" (as the engine is in a van). I'm not saying they are overly noisy, but even the gas engine in a van is "right there." Perhaps that's all ironed out and accounted for, but just something to check. Also perhaps check to see that the cooling system will be adequate. I only have a "glimmer of a memory" but I thought that previous Chevy diesel vans may have had heat dissipation problems (?) I'm thinking something in the past ten years or so, but again, that may be old news and no longer a thing (or I may be mis-remembering it)..
I can't say enough about towing/traveling with a van. Fantastic - for me anyway. I like to use the vehicle for camping when on the road with the boat, and too, there are times I leave the boat behind and just use the camper. Of course not everyone likes the same things.