2000 towing package?

[Barblynnp]

I have a 2000 Windstar with a 3.8L engine. We would like to get a camper or pop-up but are not sure what it can handle. How do we find out if we have the optional towing package already? It does not have a hitch, but it does have some kind of plug under the control panel.

[tr918]

. How do we find out if we have the optional towing package already?

Call the dealer with your VIN#, they should be able to tell you.

Max tow capacity is 3500 lbs with the tow package. Either 1500 or 2000 with out tow package.

If you do not have the tow package. Just put a Transmission fluid cooler and a power steering fluid cooler on it and you should be fine. You may also want to look into trailer brakes. Windstar's have a hard enough time stopping themselves. I would hate to try and stop 3500 lbs + the 4000 lbs of windstar in an emergency situation.

Hope this helps
-TR

[Flyingjackal456]

haha, i have the tow package with my 1998 3.8l, I have towed a trailer weighing around 5000 lbs without too much trouble, but i wouldn't recommend it.

I have limetime warrantee on my transmission and torque converter...what do i care?

[clasybird]

I have a 98 3.8 burnt the tranny towing a 6' x 12' cargo trailor. I got the new tranny a cooler and I got a larger oil pan. Now I am affraid to pull the trailor.

Do ya Think I'm being to chicken?

Larry

[radimus]

The factory towing package basically just consisted of an auxillary trans cooler. You can find better ones that what came with the tow package without a lot of hassle. I think you'll want to look at the fin-type coolers which are supposed to prevent overcooling the trans fluid. Better double-check on that point.

As for towing with your Windstar, read the towing section in your manual. It will tell you what the max towing capacity and GCWR is for your van with and without the tow package. GCWR is Gross Combined Weight Rating and is the max amount that the van and a trailer can weigh. You also need to get the GVWR and curb weight specs. The GVWR can be found on a label inside the drivers door frame and the curb weight should be in the manual. The GVWR is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and is the max your van can weigh with a load of cargo and passengers. Subtract the curb weight from that and you have your payload capacity.

There is other work you'll need to do. The stock suspension is soft in the rear, so you'll need to upgrade it with either a set of cargo springs or air bags. This is very important, because if the back end sags it takes weight off the front drive wheels thus reducing your traction and straining your drivetrain all the more. Weight Distributing Hitchs also help keep the van level.

But, overall, I would advice against using a FWD van to tow a camper with. If you must than I would install the trans cooler, beef up the rear end, but stay within the max towing and GCWR of a van without the towing package. This gives a margin of safety so you know that you're not maxing out the van. However, this would limit you to a pop-up camper with a dry weight of not more than 1000-1500 lbs and you'll be packing light.

I would forget travel trailers. First off, unless you look at a Scamp or Casita you won't find anything that has a dry weight of much under 3000 lbs. Second, in addition to the weight you have increased wind resistance with a travel trailer because with most the trailer is taller than the van. This increases the overall load the van is pulling. A small pop-up will be well under the van's roof line, so this won't be a issue.

If you're really serious about towing a camper I would start looking at mid-sized RWD SUV's or larger or maybe a Chevy Astro/GMC Safari. If you get on the RV forums you'll come across a few guys towing 25ft or larger travel trailers with FWD minivans, but I'm of the opinion that these guys are just asking for trouble later or happen to trade in their old vans for new ones before any problems start to manifest themselves. They're either running real close to their max ratings or are over them.

[tb30570]

If your Windstar has the towing package, it has a towing capacity of 3500 lb vs. 2000 lb w/o. Pull out the transmission dip-stick and look for a stamping code. If it says, "XF2P-BA" it has the towing package. If it says, "F88P-BA" it does not have the towing package. Besides the cooler, the towing package version has a different final drive ratio.