Helper springs for Astro - Page 2 - Fiberglass RV
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-30-2007, 07:43 PM   #21
Member
 
Fred Bell's Avatar
 
Trailer: Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 33
I would worry about an excessive amount of tongue-weight also. I had a '99 Astro that was only rated for 3500lbs. tow capacity, so 420lbs. of tongue-weight would be too much. Also make sure you check out how the tow hitch is mounted. I went to a reputable hitch installer shortly after I purchased the van in 1999. The hitch that they installed, which was made for Chevy Astros at the time, only mounted to the sheet metal of the van's unibody construction - not the steel frame. It was a class II hitch. I didn't pay much attention to it because I didn't tow anything for several years, but in 2005 I got a 13' Scamp. After the third trip I discovered that the tow hitch was just about to rip through the sheet metal mounts. And remember, this is a small trailer that the Astro should not have had any trouble towing. I took the van to another hitch installer who was dumbfounded by the whole situation. Anyway, he welded in a few more support brackets and I never had another towing problem. Unfortunately, the oil pump went out a few months later, causing the engine to seize and leaving me stranded in Mountain Home, ID. Good Luck
Fred Bell is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Hitch helper Kevin K Modifications, Alterations and Updates 6 09-04-2008 09:25 PM
Helper Springs d_wildemann Towing, Hitching, Axles and Running Gear 9 01-06-2008 11:12 PM
Chevy Astro for Tow Gary Little Towing, Hitching, Axles and Running Gear 34 01-30-2007 07:49 PM
Air bags vs. Helper springs on Chevy Astro Gary Little Towing, Hitching, Axles and Running Gear 8 09-21-2006 06:40 PM
Astro Van Junk? Legacy Posts Towing, Hitching, Axles and Running Gear 17 07-28-2003 10:36 AM

» Upcoming Events
No events scheduled in
the next 465 days.
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:50 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.