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wbs covered all the pertinent points. I'll also add that trailer weight (read the label!) and its distribution (tongue weight) can have quite an effect on handling too.
On a more comedic aspect about undersized towing ...
No, you don't need a V8 to pull that kind of load. Hell, a 4-banger could do it all day long just fine. But, what does make a difference are things like wheelbase, FWD vs RWD, suspension set-up, vehicle ride height, etc.
Not knowing which minivan he has, if it were me, I would probably want to tow with the minivan as well. Generally speaking, the longer the wheel base, the more stable the vehicle when towing. The Escape is a relatively short wheelbase and sits higher as well.
Now, as to why he thinks he needs a big ol' V8 pick-up, that would depend on why he thinks the minivan isn't doing the job. Given that most minivans come with a V6 minimum and have relatively decent pick-up to start, I would say that if he feels the van doesn't provide enough oomph that he needs to learn a little patience. Yes, it is possible to have enough motor to make a trailer feel like it's not even there, but the flipside to that is that people tend to drive as though the trailer literally is not there as in quick lane changes, less than adequate braking distances, too high of speeds, etc. Now, if the tranny is searching or slipping while towing, I could see his point but 2000 lbs shouldn't really be taxing it.
But, if his problem is that the van feels squishy and vague while going down the road, power will not solve it. What he needs is stiffer suspension in the back to help offset the tongue weight. While a pick-up will generally give you this (especially vs a FWD minivan), there's no reason he cannot modify the van's suspension to get it done. Companies like Air Ride (www.ridetech.com) make products that allow you to crank up the stiffness when you want and lower it back to almost stock when you don't.
But at the end of the day, the guy may be trying to ditch the minivan for a pick-up just because he doesn't want a minivan. As a fellow man, you are legally obligated to agree with him 100% (at least in front of the wife). Do your civic duty, lol!
Mike
ha ha! Ah yes, the "guy code". Actually I am woman so....
Seriously though, I could give a hoot if someone wants to buy a big V8. Since the husband just lost his job two weeks ago and is in a line of work that is not hiring, I was thinking logically that they should work with what they have or bump up to a mid sized SUV. I personally hate mini vans anyway. But what really ticked me off is the husband trying to make me feel stupid (all while wearing his pink converse shoes, ya seriously) when its obvious they have no clue on what they are doing. I just heard through the grapevine that they traded in their mini van and bought a V8 Chevy Tahoe.
Good luck. I guess enjoy it now before you gota give all back to the bank.
ha ha! Ah yes, the "guy code". Actually I am woman so....
Seriously though, I could give a hoot if someone wants to buy a big V8. Since the husband just lost his job two weeks ago and is in a line of work that is not hiring, I was thinking logically that they should work with what they have or bump up to a mid sized SUV. I personally hate mini vans anyway. But what really ticked me off is the husband trying to make me feel stupid (all while wearing his pink converse shoes, ya seriously) when its obvious they have no clue on what they are doing. I just heard through the grapevine that they traded in their mini van and bought a V8 Chevy Tahoe.
Good luck. I guess enjoy it now before you gota give all back to the bank.
ouch and a new tahoe is not cheap and the payments will be steep they sound like they are not facing their own situation. I would not take advice from him. best bet is to research what class you can tow and base the size of the trailer on that.
Horsepower is irrelevant. Torque is what pulls the load.
I think that was his point.
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