Can I increase the towing capacity of my 2011 Chev Express Van?

Asked by jimmywithavan Jul 27, 2013 at 09:30 PM about the 2011 Chevrolet Express 1500 LT AWD

Question type: General

My 2011 AWD Express Conversion (Explorer) Van has a towing capacity of 6500 lbs.  It has a transmission cooler and towing package.  We just bought a 6500 lb trailer camper, with plans to pull it with our older Ford pickup.  However, we thought it would be a lot nicer to be able to pull it with our Express Van, but I'm not comfortable towing a trailer at maximum weight.  The dealer that sold us the van said we could do it very simply with adding support to the back end, either with leaf springs, or air bags.  Has anyone had experience with this?  Did it work?  Has anyone you know made it work?  Thanks so much for your help?

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Michael answered 11 years ago

My bet is that the weight of the trailer is where it is based on the weight of the van as it sits, as the normal Express has a higher capacity. In a word, when you are at your maximum CVWR, there is NOTHING you can do to keep it legal. That is the combined weight of the van, contents and trailer added together are the maximum the van is rated to weigh. Go in excess of that, and you are driving an illegal rig.

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