I must comment on Aerostars. I bought a 1987 with 16k miles on
it. Had a rash of transmission problems (which the warranyy and
dealer took care of) in the 125k range. I drove it until it had
235k (that's 235,000) miles on it. Then decided it was so old
(but still running great) that I had better get something with
less miles on it. My son bought it for $2000 (with 4 almost new
Aquatreads on it) for his wife to drive to work.
Now has about 190k on it with another trans rebuilt, BUT the
ORIGINAL engine with only a new headgasket. I bought a 1990,
but didn't like the seats and traded it away. And your POINT
IS? (as the kids say nowadays). Great van, can't believe it's
still ticking. 21 MPG with as much sales rep samples as I could
stuff in it, and in those days I was pushing up the interstate
at 74 mph. (I'm the guy blocking traffic now driving the speed
limit). It was a tad slow up a long mountain. Should be great
for towing a P14/15. An that was the older smaller engine
version.
Personally, I like my Ford F150 for towing the P19.
No, I do NOT own stock in Ford, nor am I being paid for this
testimonial; YES, I will take a check from Ford if they send it
for using this. A penny a mile for the first 235,000 would be
okay! <BG>
Ted Duke
WWPs19 #626 The Duchess
Off to the Rappahanock River tomorrow to test out the new CDI
installation.
Mark wrote:
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Harry,
>
> 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.