Why doesn't anyone tow their horse trailer with a large van?

[YellowPonyEventer]

Just curious if I’m missing something…hubby wants a large van so he can use it to haul stuff around for his job (rehabbing homes), but we can only have 1 large vehicle so it would need to be able to pull my 2 horse trailer too. Of course we would ensure any van we get would be big enough to safely haul the horse trailer, have the tow package installed, etc. but why don’t I ever see people hauling with vans??

I mean, besides the obvious fact that you can’t tow a gooseneck. I’m talking bumper pulls…just wondering if there’s something we’re not considering that would put a large van at a disadvantage vs. pickup truck for hauling a bumper pull.

[Mango20]

You used to see trailers towed with vans back in the 1980s, when you would also see a lot towed with giant station wagons. I would think that if the wheelbase was long enough, it had a tow package and the transmission and suspension to handle it, it would probably work.

[LauraO]

I have! I’ve seen a van conversion (camper) with a 2 horse, and also a C class RV with a 2 horse trailer.

I don’t see it very often, but I could definitely see the utility of both of these combinations.

However, when I pointed at the cool camper conversion van, and liked it, my trainer was like: but you can’t put hay in there! So there may be some utilitarian reasons that a pick up truck is preferred, but I don’t see how that issue is any different than say a 3/4 ton Suburban.

[Pennywell_Bay]

I tend to see that here in the Midwest now more frequently than back East (saw it to a small degree in the 80s back East). My guess is they generally don’t have enough power (no clue, I’m not a van person) and they just aren’t as popular/useful with the horse crowd (you can’t easily fit a round bale in a van).

I think trucks are more useful in farm situations. JMO.

[DHCarrotfeeder]

Because SUVs have a thoroughly marketed image.

A 3/4-ton van is a great towing machine for 2h trailers.

[Wayside]

For a while there I think Ford’s E-series vans had a lot in common with the F-series trucks, including the same drivetrain in some cases. They were definitely a viable towing option, but you’re right, you don’t see them as often these days.

I don’t know much about what’s on the market new these days, though.

[Calvincrowe]

Several folks did around here in the 80s and 90s but the rise of the SUV has killed the full size van as anything but a work vehicle. I wonder about the Mercedes or Sprinter style vans-- those look pretty effective. I’d have a hard time backing with only my mirrors, but I’m bad even in my full size truck. The best thing about a van is camping inside!!

[Jim_in_PA]

One local barn tows one of their trailers with an E350 van…it gives them seats and seat belts for about 8 kids going to the show plus helps out with getting the ponies there. They have a larger trailer for most of the mounts.

[Edinborough]

On occasion I tow our bumper pull with our one ton ford van. It does fine, I’m happy with it. Just remember that once you get onto wet grass you will need a sense of humor as you will spin tires and fling mud. But on pavement you are fine. You can get a four wheel drive van called a Quigley. Pricey but can go anywhere.

[froglander]

There is a gal around here that pulls a 3 horse trailer with a large van. Seems to work just fine, and we have a variety of hills around too so it has to be able to make it up and down those

[yourcolorfuladdictio]

[QUOTE=Edinborough;8730845]
On occasion I tow our bumper pull with our one ton ford van. It does fine, I’m happy with it. Just remember that once you get onto wet grass you will need a sense of humor as you will spin tires and fling mud. But on pavement you are fine. You can get a four wheel drive van called a Quigley. Pricey but can go anywhere.[/QUOTE]

This, the 4WD. Especially since many farms use pasture for parking.

[Beentheredonethat]

That’s my next two vehicle. I’ve been scheming on that. When my '78 Suburban dies, I’m getting a big van so I can have tack, storage, a bed, and whatever! I keep most of my show stuff permanently in the Suburban already.

[SharonA]

The only thing about a van is that it is that much harder to see who is in your blind spots, and they’re harder to maneuver/park/see around in general. But very convenient for storage, being able to change clothes, sleep, get out of the rain, etc. I put muck buckets (with muck in them) and hay in the back of mine all the time. Nothing the vacuum at the car wash couldn’t deal with perfectly.

[tangledweb]

Because nobody who needs a full size van to cart their 8 kids around in can afford a horse.

[ThreeHorseNight]

Is there any difference in a van as far as stability (being top heavy or otherwise having different dimensions than a truck or SUV)? I’ve never driven a van but some (like the Sprinter) look so tall and narrow. Might just be an illusion.

[DHCarrotfeeder]

[QUOTE=ThreeHorseNight;8731047]
Is there any difference in a van as far as stability (being top heavy or otherwise having different dimensions than a truck or SUV)? I’ve never driven a van but some (like the Sprinter) look so tall and narrow. Might just be an illusion.[/QUOTE]

Unless you install shelving and hang heavy items up high, the stability is similar. So mostly an illusion.

[Guilherme]

The reason is likely that for most folks the pickup is a more utilitarian solution.

We had large vans when we raised large dogs (St. Bernards and Bernese Mountain Dogs). There were great for that because they were fully enclosed, could haul the dogs crated or loose (depending on the dog), and were comfortable for humans.

Horses are a bit more “messy” than dogs in their needs. Hay, for example. Hauling a couple of bales in an open pickup is a non-event. In an enclosed van? Now you need to haul a Shopvac…and a generator to run it!!! Then there are broken feed bags, sweaty tack, etc.

For some folks the van might work quite well (practical instances are noted above). I’d guess for most folks, though, the pickup is the better choice.

Oh, we had a 3/4 ton, 4WD Suburban for our first hauler when we had a bumperpull, four horse trailer. It had many of the flaws and virtues of the van. We are now on pickup number three!

G.

[x]

I had a full-sized van that I pulled my two-horse with and I loved it! Plenty of space to put tack in the van, plenty of space to take other people, and it hauled the trailer great!

[Lucassb]

I have a friend who pulls a 2H with his Sprinter van conversion. The van is set up as basically an RV, super tricked out with kitchen, bed etc. It’s really pretty and he says he prefers it for showing since he can plug in at the showgrounds with the RVs and have everything he needs.

[airhorse]

Would love to see a dually sprinter van conversion with a tow bed and small LQ.