Matthew,  the Ford strait 6 is an excellent motor for towing.  It produces
loads of torque at low engine speeds.

These motors don't like high rpms and will drain your gas tank if you push
em near 3 grand.

The 200 six in my Mustang went 273k miles with only water in the radiator.
I was 17 and couldn't afford antifreeze.

This truck would work well for towing your van.

One word of advice:  Put as much heavy stuff as you can in the pickup, you
don't want the van to be too much heavier than the tow vehicle.

-----Original Message-----
From: Pollard, Matthew <Matthew.Pollard@OREADCA.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, June 01, 1999 5:02 PM
Subject: Ford F150 pulling a vanagon?

>I am looking to purchase a ford F100 (straight 6) to help to move to Idaho.
>I am thinking about loading my bus and use it as a "trailer."  Does anybody
>have experience with pulling a vanagon (84 weekender) with a ford F100 (or
>F150)?  When I get to Idaho, I will put a gun rack and some empty beer cans
>in the bed, you know, just to fit in. Sort of off-set the looks I'll get
>from being a long haired bus driving hippy grad student!
>
>Thanks
>Matthew
>(PS, the truck is 500$ w/ rebuilt engine but has "some" rust.  This is the
>cheapest way to move 1100 miles)