I have a 1994 long wheel base Aerostar with the tow package and the
4-Liter engine. I've used it to tow a tent trailer with a weight of
about 2200 pounds and later a 17' travel trailer that weighs about 4000
pounds. The tent trailer was easy. I wouldn't hesitate to go anywhere
with it. The travel trailer was harder. I towed it over I-80 ONCE to
Reno on a dry run. I wouldn't go into the mountains again with that
much load. It handled it OK, but it was a real chore for the van, and I
like to get as much life out of my vehicles as possible.
The Aerostar is a good rig. If you can get one with the sleeper seats
option in the back, it's great for camping. I get 18 to 22 mpg on the
highway, depending on how much of a hurry I'm in.
By the way, I'm only checking my mail Friday's thru Sunday's now, at
least until I get my laptop fixed.
Take care,
Mark
P-14 #202 "Apres Vous"
Silver Springs, NV
hlg@pacbell.net wrote:
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Wally-
>
> 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.