Convert Van to bumber pull.

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Lonewattie

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Jun 7, 2010
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Has anyone taken a van and pulled the engine, tranny, and gas tank, and converted it into a bumper-pull?? I figure I can get an old ford or chevy van that doesn't run for $500 or so. Pull the engine, tranny, and gas tank. Install a toad tow bar. Put a bed in the back. Put a house AC window unit where the engine used to be. And I should have a cheap, light, tough bumber pull that will last forever for less than $1000.  I am hoping it will be light enough to pull with my wife's 2007 Dodge grand caravan.  It will be on 4 wheels so there shouldn't be much weight on the hitch.  Comments welcome....
 
Check out this website...looks like you might find some help there.

http://www.glen-l.com/campers/glenlrv.html
 
You would end up with a 4 wheel wagon with a steerable front axle rather than a trailer. You really don't want to pull one of those along at highway speeds or, worse yet, try to back one up.  Plus it will be real heavy for what you end up with.  You could buy an old trailer for $1000 and save a lot of work.
 
I'm with Gary...  I've flat-towed a number of vehicles and it was never a good time.

Somehow, this picture came to mind...  :)
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.enlightenedredneck.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/redneck-camper.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.enlightenedredneck.com/2009/03/02/redneck-camper/&usg=__P6h3A9hlKn2KyEnLeVRGqpou9Bs=&h=424&w=499&sz=65&hl=en&start=6&itbs=1&tbnid=v7HBhtaBUdX4YM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dredneck%2Bcamper%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1%26prmd%3Div

Of course, you could go all the way and do this:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.maniacworld.com/redneck-camper.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.maniacworld.com/redneck-camper.html&usg=__VQp3dRLJFZv2nSaUyXITmLMaTsc=&h=265&w=341&sz=18&hl=en&start=18&itbs=1&tbnid=IyzYAO1p1qrB7M:&tbnh=93&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dredneck%2Bcamper%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1%26prmd%3Div
 
The Caravan transmission is not up to the task. Tow rating:2000#'s
With tow package:3500#'s, your set-up will be too heavy.
J



 
Lonewattie,

Don't know if you're still around but I was looking for other information and came across several van to trailer threads on "vannin' dot com in the "Generic How To ....." room.  It seems most who do this successfully cut them off behind the front doors. Weight, as mentioned here, is the biggest drawback.  A lot of the pictures are missing from the threads but the OP's might re-post if asked.

The forum link is: http://vannin.com/threads/ubbthreads.php/forum_summary.html

fleamarketeer
 
Hi

I am also interested in doing a conversion like what the O.P. was thinking about doing except I would use a 1999 or 2000 Dodge grand caravan LE instead.  If you remove the engine, tranny, drive lines, radiator, fuel tank, exhaust system, AC system, seats, and any other parts that are no longer needed, you will be able to lighten the van by almost 500 to 800 pounds easily.  Then get a good tow bar for the front and a brake actuator, something like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaDAufqAtpc, and you will set to go.
 
Does not sound like a good option to me.  A trailer would have head room.  You loss several feet at the front of the van and in small trailers/vans space is a precious commodity.
 
Hi

This would be more like a Teardrop trailer conversion that would look like a minivan.
 
My van is over 6000lbs.  I dought  even after loosening the motor and transmission. It be under 4000 And the tong weight would be well over 1000
 
tongue weight would be zero or close to it, the weight of the van without engine, tranny etc etc would still be too much
the frame or unibody and rear axle would be way heavier than a travel trailer of similar size

plus what going to happen when the front suspension of the `trailer` has 1000lbs less weight on it
 
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