'97 Voyager 3.3 towing a little over 3200lbs, with a couple hundred pounds of gear in the van (but seats removed so it's almost a wash). Tranny cooler and airshocks at about 80psi are the only mods. I tow at 65 in 4th with the cruise on when possible, the van will not unlock the torque converter or downshift when in cruise, so when I reach a hill the van starts to slow, I downshift to 4th and the revs jump to 3000, and drop back down a couple hundred when the converter locks in 3rd, the van will accelerate back to 65. An I upshift back to 4th. The van will not upshift until it's good and ready, and when it does I watch and make sure the converter locks right away. It does this all the time while in cruise, when not in cruise I monitor it closely to keep the converter locked.
For most people with real trucks this is not much of a worry, but I have a minivan with a notoriously weak transmission. 119,000 miles and no problems yet My next tow vehicle will likely be another minivan if gas stays around $3 a gallon. Last time I towed with it my mileage actually INCREASED over my daily driving mileage because I baby it so much while towing (75-80mph on highway, lead foot around town unladen) I get around 20-22mpg in warm weather, less if it's cold.
Driver School: Complete (April 2007)
Regional License requirements: Complete (June 2007)
Race Car: Renting, started building my own
First Win: TBD (3rd in Pumpkin enduro! ITA)
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