need towing advice on a van
 

I have a Chevy express g1500 2001 which is a conversion van. The van has a 5.7 L and V8 engine. I am looking to pull a forest river wildwood 24fb travel trailer

1998 Wildwood by Forest River Price, 1998 Wildwood by Forest River Values & 1998 Wildwood by Forest River Specs | NADAguides

you can see some specs here above. The trailer has a axle weight of 4500lbs and the van has some specs that I am not sure I understand, see below:

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating capacity = 7100 lbs
Dead Weight Hitch-max trailer weight : 4000 lbs
dead weight hitch-max tongue: 400 lbs.
wt distribution hitch- max trailer wt. : 4000 lbs.
dead weight hitch- max tongue wt.: 1000 lbs.
gross axle wt rating - front : 3600 lbs.
gross axle wt rating - rear : 3968 lbs.
curb weight-front : 2459 lbs.
curb weight - rear: 2180 lbs.
gross combined weight rating combined : 1200, 1000 lbs.
sae net horse power @ rpm : 255 @ 4600
sae net torque @ rpm: 330 @ 2800
NET TORQUE: 330 @ 2800
Horsepower 255.0 @ 4600


With all of this information and I can get more, can anyone tell me if I should be able to pull this trailer ?
Thanks in advance.

If I'm reading the specs right, you're well within the GTW.
Trailer is 4500 lbs, and you can go as high as 7100 lbs.
Hitch weight will probably be around 675 lbs. (at 15%)

Strongly recommend that you do a dry run...
Load everything up like you're going to use it,
weigh Trailer and weight on Tongue,
to make sure you know exactly what you have,
given that both numbers (4500/675) will increase with loading.

I would also recommend that you air all tires up to within
10% of Maximum Cold Inflation Pressure, as found stamped
on the sidewall of your Vehicle and Trailer Tires.

It feels that way but I get some many negative comments from many especially in forums. Some say that my axle can't handle it and some say that my trans can't handle it , they make me question it so much but it seems Ike it should work if I calculate the numbers. I admit I'm pushing it but it should be ok, I think.

First of all, I can't see a 24' Travel Trailer (loaded) weighing only 4500 lbs.
You need to do the "dry run" with the Trailer loaded as you would need it
for your recreational use, including the Tongue Weight.

The low rating of your Van Hitch may be because you only have a Bumper Hitch.
Is that correct ? If so, you could install a proper Receiver Hitch on it, and increase
it's capacity where you could deal with the higher numbers required.

Also...
What kind of Brakes does the Trailer have ?
Surge, Electric, None ?

Yes the trailer weighs 4500 empty according to the spec sheet and yes a friend also commented that the 400 tongue weight is on a bumper hitch and I am glad to read this from you cause it assures me a bit more , I do have a aftermarket hitch so should be ok there. I do have electric brakes on the trailer and a control box that needs to be installed. I am starting to think I may be able to pull this. The GVWR is 7100 and with a family of 5 at 4500 for trailer + maybe 400 for propane and things + 600 for family = 5500 which is still under the 7100. I just worry about gears , bearings, trans and things - but my van seems to have a good power train and a 342 real axel gear ratio so I should be ok, I think. What do you think ?

Actually, now that I know you have a Receiver Hitch on the Van, that makes things ok, but...

Remember that your Van is rated at 1/2 ton (1000 lbs).
That includes what weight you have on the Hitch, you, family, fuel and anything else you may choose to carry in the Van.
So, keep that in mind when you load the Van.

Everything else you've said is ok. Just remember to air those Tires up properly.
You still need to do an actual (traveling) weight on the Trailer and Tongue.

And I plan on using a stabilizer bar and sway bar so that should also help. Hopefully the trans, gears , bearings, and seals all hold up. Do you think a trans cooler is necessary?

The more stabilization you have the better, but on the Cooler...
I doubt if you'll need one immediately, when we're in the cooler months.
But, keep that in mind, and there are several types available.

The one I like best is...
Where it has a 2W valve, which switches the Tranny Oil totally away from the Radiator Capsule. The Capsule is great for quick warmups and during the winter months, but, can be somewhat of a burden when things get hot.

Most Transmission Fluid Mfgrs recommend not exceeding 200 deg, but, many do, and it's hard to tell just what it is, if you don't have a dash Gauge. Those can be had too, sort of an "inline" sensor.