Towing Issues: Towing with a Toyota Previa, toyota previa, transmission cooler

Question
I have a '97 Toyota Previa, rated at 3500lbs towing capacity with a class 2 hitch. I am moving from Alabama to Utah and was wondering just how much I can safley tow without damaging my transmission? The mountains and distance are my 2 big issues.

Answer
Dane,

It is hard to give an exact number.  Towing a heavy load doesn't destroy things right away.  It will just increase the load and therefore the load on the towing vehicle.  Keep in mind that the Previa is a minivan and was not designed to tow heavy loads when it was new, let alone when it's nine years old.  

All of that said, without a transmission cooler, I would not go over 2,000 lbs with a light load in the van.  If you plan to load the van to the brim, I would be reluctant to tow a trailer at all.  

Good luck,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/