I'd also recommend a receiver-type hitch, for all the reasons Tom and Rich
stated. Also you may want to get a P19 some day. I'm thinking of getting a
minivan and will look for one with the towing option.
But if expense is a primary concern, any properly installed hitch will do
the job for the P15. The boat and trailer is less than 1000 lb and very
easy to tow. If your rear bumper has a hole for a ball (like on a Ranger),
you can just install a ball and some wiring. There are wiring adapters now
that just plug into your van's harness; no wire splicing required. I needed
to borrow my son's 94 Ranger one day to tow my boat, so I just installed a
ball and wiring and was ready to go.
I've used 1000 lb rated hitches on many small cars to tow my P14, but the
heavy duty hitch would be very nice on an Aerostar. My present tow vehicles
are an 84 Mazda RX-7 and a 75 Toyota Chinook (HiLux pickup chassis). The
Chinook is slow on upgrades but doesn't seem to be any slower with the
Potter behind.
Just in case I find a good used Aerostar, how do you like yours?
Harry
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA
>>I have a 1993 Ford Aerostar. And, I just happen to have agreed to purchase
>>a 1977 P-15. What would a trailer, boat, and 2hp Honda (and assorted gear
>>and rigging) weigh? I need to figure out which hitch to buy.
>>Recommendations? Advice?
>
>Wally,
>I HIGHLY recommend you go for a larger hitch. One with a 2" receiver.
>Why, sure you may not need it to pull the p15/trailer, but with a little
>extra investment in your hitch, you can use a "hitch haul" (a metal grate
>platform that goes into your receiver) for extra utility, or to haul your
>greasy leaking motor *outside" your carpeted car when taking it to the
>repair shop, or for hauling your spring manure bags home to your garden.
>They even make one with a ball on the tail side of the hitch haul so you
>get the storage *and* can tow your trailer. A receiver makes it easy also
>to use the hitch for those special bike racks that insert into the hitch.
>If you have a family and the family bikes, its a good way to go for hauling
>your bikes..., Versatility in the hitch you get is a good thing.
>
>The other thought is with your aerostar you can haul that Uhaul trailer to
>move your brother in law on saturday, or a large trailer to bring home that
>big new freezer refridgerator your wife wanted, etc.... without worring if
>your bumper mounted cheesy hitch will come off. I think it makes sense to
>get a 2" receiver hitch for a little extra money.