Is it just me or is it at least a little important to have your tow vehicle be at least a slightly heavier than whats being towed behind? I'm no genius but i would think that towing the impala with the impala and you find yourself in a situation where stopping distance and safety come into play, youd be in big trouble. Im sure the impala tows well with bigger oil and trans cooler, but can it really stop safely? Honestly, I'm no trying to be a dick. Im just thinking in my head how can a car try to safely stop twice its weight PLUS a trailer and any gear? I guess the only alternative would be to have a really well functioning trailer brake? is that what you have?
It's just you
Your Impala comments don't help your argument either. A 2WD SCSB pickup (upwards of 7000# OE rated towing capacity) of the same vintage as the Impala actually weighs LESS than the Impala.
If you do the tale of the tape on the two, they really aren't that different. 12" front brakes. 350 small block, low 3.xx axle (90's GM trucks were often 3.08-3.42), 8.5" 10 bolt. Full frame. If you add bags to the rear of the Impala/Caprice, it's a VERY good tow rig. Another friend runs a 1994 Roadmaster wagon for his tow rig. Hauls his 96 SS all over the midwest, even to VIR.
Think the 80,000 Semi's on the road are 45,000 trucks with 35,000# trailer?
front/rear weight distribution on the tow vehicle is important, as is cooling and brake capacity. Brake capacity is one of the reasons it's MI law to have brakes on every trailer axle for trailers over a certain gross (5000# I think). Makes beefing up the brakes on the tow vehicle less necessary if the trailer can provide its own braking. Load displacing, trunnion style hitches leverage some of the tongue weight to the front wheels of the tow vehicle.
Go to Europe, they push the tow vehicle-trailer weight difference to higher levels. The "safe" trailering requirements here in the US are very conservative compared to Europe. I'm not buying or selling, but Merc and Audi Sedans are common tow rigs in Germany. Saw an Audi S4 (19" wheels and everything) in tow-rig duty at the Nurburgring. He had a 2500# GTI on a steel open trailer.. I figure he had somewhere around 3500-4000# gross in tow.
My current tow rig (Sierra Denali) is 5200 ish # curb, and has an OEM rating for 8500# towing capacity. I know the brakes and cooling system can handle more since they are the same bits as on the 1500 Silverado's with 10,000# towing capacity.
TO the OP..
If you can get around the fact that it's a VAN, Van's are great tow rigs, and usually go for less $$ used than a comparable pickup. You have more room for secure parts/tool storage and or sleeping space. You can drive to the track on the weekend, and live in it (down by the river of course) during the week
A Dmax or PS Van is something worth looking into.
