ProMaster 3500 20'9" Chassis

[eric1514]

Mine came with Continental Vanco 4 Season tires. I have no gripes.

[Bruceper]

Originally Posted by lmittell

It's not a weight issue, unless the unladen weight of an African Swallow...

Fixed that for you

*prays people get the reference*

[lmittell]

Originally Posted by MsNomer

I'm guessing something else was wrong, tires were under-inflated, or ? I've never heard of this problem.

Have you been sneaking around my yard with a pressure gauge? I thought I heard the dogs barking.

The pressures were in accordance with Pleasure Way's recommendations (65 psig front, 80 psig rear). If they're wrong, I'd appreciate knowing what they should be so that I can in turn let the powers-that-be in Saskatoon know.

Evidently I'm just less tolerant of the problem than you are. The fact of the matter is that Michelins make me happy and I assume that Nexens make you happy. That doesn't make me wrong and it doesn't make you wrong. Why don't we just leave it at that?

And by the way, please knock on my door next time. I'll be happy to let you in the yard, pressure gauge and all.

Best,
Larry

[lmittell]

Originally Posted by Bruceper

It's not a weight issue, unless the unladen weight of an African Swallow...Fixed that for you

*prays people get the reference*

African or perhaps European?

[Manx]

Originally Posted by lmittell

African or perhaps European?

<rant>
I always had an issue with this dichotomy. In Europe, when they say "Swallow," it would mean the Barn Swallow (Hirudo rustica. But they are migratory and spend their winter in Africa, so European swallow IS African swallow. (This excludes a small group of subspecies that live in Egypt)
</rant>

[BBQ]

.

LOL on the <rant> tag.

[NorthPotomac]

Originally Posted by Manx

<rant>
I always had an issue with this dichotomy. In Europe, when they say "Swallow," it would mean the Barn Swallow (Hirudo rustica. But they are migratory and spend their winter in Africa, so European swallow IS African swallow. (This excludes a small group of subspecies that live in Egypt)
</rant>

I don't know about that. The Canada goose is a Canada goose even if it's a snowbird.

[wincrasher]

I don't run the max pressure (from the sticker) as I'm more than 1000 lbs under the max weight. Following the cut lines is symptomatic of over-inflated tires. It happens with the big RV's too and the cure is usually correcting the pressure.

I've had both the Vanco and the Nexens. I prefer the Nexens as they seem a bit smoother and much quieter.

What makes a huge difference in the handling is installing Timbrens or the Sumo springs on the rear. Basically eliminates any jounce over uneven surfaces as well as porpoising. Also, it's a much smoother ride when you are loaded up to the max weight. Cheap, DIY project.

I'd also add that "feeling" wind buffetting is different than being "pushed" around by it. I can feel the van body being hit by cross winds or when I'm in the slipstream of a big truck, but I never feel that I'm being pushed around by it, or somehow less in control.

[Davydd]

Originally Posted by eric1514

Mine came with Continental Vanco 4 Season tires. I have no gripes.

Continental Vanco 4 Season tires have one major benefit. They are good for less than 40,000 miles and then you can get better tires sooner.

[bobojay]

Originally Posted by Davydd

Continental Vanco 4 Season tires have one major benefit. They are good for less than 40,000 miles and then you can get better tires sooner.

LOL, yep exactly!

[MsNomer]

It appears I have mis-spoken. My tires are Vancouver, not Nexan. 37,000 miles with maybe another 10-15,000 left.

[superplumber_mi]

I agree. I have 34k on my 3500. No problems, great mileage, factory seats are great to sit in. Better than the other large vans. I've owned (2) Sprinters, never again.

[Rlum]

Originally Posted by mojoman

After installing a HD sway bar in the rear and airbags has greatly improved handling. Depending on amount of gear I carry, I just add a few pounds of air to the bags to get solid tracking and steering. Crosswind performance is excellent and no rocking or leaning. Adding rear air bags and sway bar was an easy and cheap upgrade, about $400 for both. About 2hr to install with a couple of wrenches.

Hi Mojoman:

Can you tell me the brand of sway bar and airbags purchased?

Thanks very much

[mojoman]

Helwig
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bass from these folks who import them. Best price!
Dodge Load Assist Kits

Prices have gone up since 2015 greatly.

[Rlum]

Originally Posted by mojoman

Helwig
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bass from these folks who import them. Best price!
Dodge Load Assist Kits

Prices have gone up since 2015 greatly.

Thanks very much. Seems like quite the daunting task for one to do at home?
You just bolted these items on? Wow! Kudos to you. Think I would take the stuff to a mechanic and have him install them

[mojoman]

Not really, if you could elevate the rear, it makes it easier to move around. I thought the 3500's came with a sway bar, if so I would just install the air bags. They are easier to install than the sway bar.

[BBQ]

.

Lots of people install the SumoSpring

[mojoman]

About the same amount of wrenching to install with the exception of the air tubing. No comparison with regard to performance between the two, adjustable air bags are much better as you can adjust the weight distribution and correct steering performance. Bringing the back up returns the steering response and tracks better.

[Rlum]

Originally Posted by mojoman

About the same amount of wrenching to install with the exception of the air tubing. No comparison with regard to performance between the two, adjustable air bags are much better as you can adjust the weight distribution and correct steering performance. Bringing the back up returns the steering response and tracks better.

I am in the process of purchasing a 2016 PW Lexor TS. I have been reading Dodge Promaster Cargo Van reviews on Edmunds. They are all over the board. Some people love them and others just hate them. Most of the people with promaster class b are very satisfied with them. Am I missing something? Do class b owners just take much better care of their vehicles?
Are the commercial users abusing their vehicles? According to these guys, they are buying brakes, transmissions and all sorts of problems. Maybe these were just lemons from manufacturer?

[MsNomer]

Edmunds seems to collect the horror stories on all three vans. There's a reason why fleet owners are switching to the Promaster, as well as rv manufacturers.