i have a 2002 chevy venture van with the 3.4 liter engine. i do not have the
factory tow package b/c i did not think i would be towing anything, however I
would like to get a small runabout. is there anything that i can do to improve
the towing capacity of this vehicle. The manual says that without the tow
package i can only tow 2000, but with a tow package i could tow 3500. i was
wondering what exactly the tow package consisted of and what i could do to add
a "tow package" to my van.

thanks
Rob Ruxer
Hopewell,va

Most likely a few coolers. Trans cooler and oil cooler for sure.

Dan


RLRUXER wrote:
i have a 2002 chevy venture van with the 3.4 liter engine. i do not have the
factory tow package b/c i did not think i would be towing anything, however I
would like to get a small runabout. is there anything that i can do to improve
the towing capacity of this vehicle. The manual says that without the tow
package i can only tow 2000, but with a tow package i could tow 3500. i was
wondering what exactly the tow package consisted of and what i could do to add
a "tow package" to my van.

thanks
Rob Ruxer
Hopewell,va

Well you could do what I did to improve the towing capacity of my subaru ...
I sold it and bought a jeep cherokee ... almost doubling the capacity ...
:-)

"RLRUXER" wrote in message
...
i have a 2002 chevy venture van with the 3.4 liter engine. i do not have
the
factory tow package b/c i did not think i would be towing anything,
however I
would like to get a small runabout. is there anything that i can do to
improve
the towing capacity of this vehicle. The manual says that without the tow
package i can only tow 2000, but with a tow package i could tow 3500. i
was
wondering what exactly the tow package consisted of and what i could do to
add
a "tow package" to my van.

thanks
Rob Ruxer
Hopewell,va

okokok ... went to the chevy site ... there is mention there of a
requirement for the touring suspension option (as well as oil/transmission
cooling etc). Since suspension may come into the picture, I suggest first
establish the weight you'll be towing. This will decide what you'll need to
do in the way of upgrades ... which may include a new vehicle ... which was
my only solution.

"bowgus" wrote in message
able.rogers.com...
Well you could do what I did to improve the towing capacity of my subaru
....
I sold it and bought a jeep cherokee ... almost doubling the capacity ...
:-)

"RLRUXER" wrote in message
...
i have a 2002 chevy venture van with the 3.4 liter engine. i do not
have
the
factory tow package b/c i did not think i would be towing anything,
however I
would like to get a small runabout. is there anything that i can do to
improve
the towing capacity of this vehicle. The manual says that without the
tow
package i can only tow 2000, but with a tow package i could tow 3500. i
was
wondering what exactly the tow package consisted of and what i could do
to
add
a "tow package" to my van.

thanks
Rob Ruxer
Hopewell,va

have the transmission and engine oil coolers added. You should be fine.
Just don't get too big a boat. Remember boat dry weight is not towing
weight. Trailer, fuel, coolers, junk, etc will weight in at about 1200 lbs.

--
Tony
my boats and autos - http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com


"RLRUXER" wrote in message
...
i have a 2002 chevy venture van with the 3.4 liter engine. i do not have
the
factory tow package b/c i did not think i would be towing anything,
however I
would like to get a small runabout. is there anything that i can do to
improve
the towing capacity of this vehicle. The manual says that without the tow
package i can only tow 2000, but with a tow package i could tow 3500. i
was
wondering what exactly the tow package consisted of and what i could do to
add
a "tow package" to my van.

thanks
Rob Ruxer
Hopewell,va

Multiple aspects:

1) As others have mentioned, you'll want to have a transmission cooler
installed. U-Haul offers the service, but their mechanics often look like
creatures from a Stephen King movie. Ask you regular mechanic, if you have
someone you trust.

2) According to my mechanic, about one in a million customers have their
tranny fluid and FILTER replaced on schedule. Do it, and keep doing it.
There's no better way to kill an aging tranny than to tow with it, with old
fluid and a filthy filter. This is especially important with marginal
vehicles like Fords, Chevys and Chryslers.

3) If the combination of cargo/passengers in the van and the boat cause the
rear of the vehicle to sag, have air shocks installed - the kind you can
pump up at the gas station to level the rear. It's especially important if
you have front wheel drive. Others will say that tongue weight's only 80 or
100 lbs and it doesn't matter, but combined with other luggage, that could
be just enough to take the weight off the front wheels and make the van
steer funny. And it's not funny, especially on wet roads, or when a nearby
tractor trailer creates turbulence at 65mph.

-Doug

"RLRUXER" wrote in message
...
i have a 2002 chevy venture van with the 3.4 liter engine. i do not have
the
factory tow package b/c i did not think i would be towing anything,
however I
would like to get a small runabout. is there anything that i can do to
improve
the towing capacity of this vehicle. The manual says that without the tow
package i can only tow 2000, but with a tow package i could tow 3500. i
was
wondering what exactly the tow package consisted of and what i could do to
add
a "tow package" to my van.

thanks
Rob Ruxer
Hopewell,va

Just a story for you: I put a hitch on my venture to pull a 19' ruanbout. The
boat's weight is at the upper limit of the Venture's towing capacity. I only
tow for a one hour year to put the boat in at the start of the season and take
it out at the end. Here is where the venture fails: pulling the boat up a
ramp. The weight on the back of the van takes weight and therefore traction
off of the front drive wheels.

To get it up a very slight grade ramp, I had to have a guy stand on the front
bumper. FWD vans are not very desireable for this, IMHO.

RJ