Denis Roy wrote:

The horsepower on my 95 Windstar was 156, but this was upped to about 200
the following year. I'm not sure what the rating is on my 03 but it's at
least 200 and the van has far better power to pull the boat than the 2000
Chev Venture it replaced.


That's good to hear - the 3.4 Venture is 185 published hp.

In 1995 the Ford 3.8 was 155, then 200 in 1996 when the 3.0 became
available(at 150hp). I didn't realize it was that high for the 3.8.
That kinda' kicks the GM 4.3(Astro/Safari) at only 190hp.

Rob

"trainfan1" wrote in message
et...
katekebo wrote:

I have been towing a 175 with a Toyota Sienna minivan for two years
with no issues. The Toyota is rated to 3500 lb towing capacity. In
addition to the the boat I have towed (ocassionally) U-Haul trailers at
or very close to the 3500 lb limit, with no problems. Front wheel
drive has never been an issue to pull the boat out of the water, even
on steep and wet ramps.

I don't think there is any fundamental issue with using a minivan to
tow a boat, as long as the engine has enough power and the transmission
is strong enough. I don't know about Ford, but I have seen many Toyota
and Honda minivans towing boats around here with not problems.



Richcosta wrote:

I am considering purchasing an '06 175, which when on a trailer with
gas will come in at about 2,400 lbs. My Windstar has a towing capacity
of 2,000 lbs. As I will be using the boat at a ramp about 3 miles
away, do I run the risk of fishing my van out of the river?
Thank you.



The Sienna & Odyssey are 240/245 hp beasts, though. The WindStar is only
about 145hp.

Rob


And if it is like my nextdoor neighbors POS Windstar, it will fail without
towing.

On Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:58:23 GMT, Alotta Fagina
wrote:

You wrote:

I am considering purchasing an '06 175, which when on a trailer with
gas will come in at about 2,400 lbs. My Windstar has a towing capacity
of 2,000 lbs. As I will be using the boat at a ramp about 3 miles
away, do I run the risk of fishing my van out of the river?

Since you don't know how to subtract 2,400 from 2,000, I say GO FOR IT!


duh, I think your dry humor will be lost on the original poster. Since
it was such an idiotic question I wonder if the original poster was
either unstable or trying to get a rise.

No, the humor was not lost. It was a legit. question, but I guess it
did not pass muster with some. It is a shame that one cannot feel free
to post a question without the possibility of sarcastic responses.
Everyone is new to something at some point.

For those who answered the question without the need to feel better
about themselves at other's expense, I appreciate your help.


wrote:
On Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:58:23 GMT, Alotta Fagina
wrote:

You wrote:

I am considering purchasing an '06 175, which when on a trailer with
gas will come in at about 2,400 lbs. My Windstar has a towing capacity
of 2,000 lbs. As I will be using the boat at a ramp about 3 miles
away, do I run the risk of fishing my van out of the river?

Since you don't know how to subtract 2,400 from 2,000, I say GO FOR IT!


duh, I think your dry humor will be lost on the original poster. Since
it was such an idiotic question I wonder if the original poster was
either unstable or trying to get a rise.

No, the humor was not lost. It was a legit. question, but I guess it
did not pass muster with some. It is a shame that one cannot feel free
to post a question without the possibility of sarcastic responses.
Everyone is new to something at some point.

For those who answered the question without the need to feel better
about themselves at other's expense, I appreciate your help.


wrote:
On Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:58:23 GMT, Alotta Fagina
wrote:

You wrote:

I am considering purchasing an '06 175, which when on a trailer with
gas will come in at about 2,400 lbs. My Windstar has a towing capacity
of 2,000 lbs. As I will be using the boat at a ramp about 3 miles
away, do I run the risk of fishing my van out of the river?

Since you don't know how to subtract 2,400 from 2,000, I say GO FOR IT!


duh, I think your dry humor will be lost on the original poster. Since
it was such an idiotic question I wonder if the original poster was
either unstable or trying to get a rise.

Richcosta wrote:

For those who answered the question without the need to feel better
about themselves at other's expense, I appreciate your help.

I didn't see any mention of braking. If you try this be
sure your van's brakes and tires are in good shape and leave
*lots* of room.

"Don White" wrote
Guess it's in the gearing/engine torque as the Ranger easily pulls the
2000 lb load.

Exactly. That's why a 40HP tractor can outpull a big ol' pickup truck.

-rick- wrote:
Richcosta wrote:


For those who answered the question without the need to feel better
about themselves at other's expense, I appreciate your help.


I didn't see any mention of braking. If you try this be sure your van's
brakes and tires are in good shape and leave *lots* of room.


Yup I mentioned it a while back.
A number of vehicles rated for 2000 lbs towing demand trailer brakes if
the total load exceeds 1000 lbs.
eg... my 1995 Plymouth Voyager