Towing Issues: 1991 ford van, transmission coolers, conversion van

Question
I have a 1991 ford e-150 half ton 302 automatic conversion van. I went to pull a 1985 24ft camper that weight 3900lbs. the van has a very hard time pulling it and takes a long time to get up to speed.On may way to camp site the van over haeted two time, had to stop and put in water radiator was bone dry. Had to have other party drive the camper home for me, my van ran great all the way home with no problems. I have 130,000 miles on van now any clue to what happen or will i not be able to use my van for any towing at all ???

Answer
While this is not my area of expertise, it is a simple answer...

The van is not rated or able to "safely tow" that size of a load without serious modifications or as you seen damages or possible damages can happen..


A conversion van is heavier than the stock van and as such that reduces the towing capacity to start with. That and its only a 1/2 ton van which means it does not have the beefed up brake package, transmission coolers and additional engine cooling systems needed to do the tows of that weight..


But then again as I said at the beginning its not my real area of expertise.  Sorry