| Ford’s
new Freestar might just be one of the company’s
best tow vehicles.
Since
1998 we have put hitch packages on more than
400 Ford Windstar vans, making it one of the
most popular tow vehicles at our store in 35
years. As a tow vehicle they were a great value,
with a low purchase price, good fuel economy
and plenty of towing capability. Minivans really
point out the inconsistencies in manufacturers’
towing recommendations. When Lee Iacocca introduced
the first Chrysler minivan 20 years ago it had
a 130 horsepower 3.0 Litre V6 with a 3.02:1
axle ratio, a three-speed transmission and a
3,500 pound rating. It is curious that almost
every minivan built by every manufacturer since
then has shared that same 3,500 pound recommendation
even though some have twice the horsepower,
not to mention five speed transmissions with
better gear ratios. In fact it is hard to call
many of them minivans any more, as there is
not much that is mini about them.
 Ford’s
new Freestar (replacing the Windstar) is a good
example. From a towing stability and handling
point of view, it is an almost ideal tow vehicle.
The wheelbase is 120 inches long, but the rear
overhang is only 42 inches, giving it an excellent
35 percent of rear-overhang-to-wheelbase ratio
compared with 45 to 55 percent on most SUVs.
Though the van is as tall as an SUV or pickup,
it carries its weight much lower so the centre
of gravity is not much higher than that of a
car. Rack and pinion steering communicates good
steering feel with very little play. The low
profile tires combined with 16x7 inch wheels
have less side sway than the taller tires used
on many other vehicles. The twist beam rear
axle has virtually no sway, and is superior
to a live axle on leaf springs, though the twist
beam does give up a little in the way of ride
comfort compared to independent suspension.
But when everything is said and done, despite
the fact there are plenty of vehicles with higher
tow ratings, very few can approach the Freestar
for stability and safety.
...
(Read Andy's full article in the magazine.)
|
