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If you need the van for towing there are a few things to try to improve both safety and mpg.
1) Deer whistles have to be mounded in clear air to work. Try the roof. I use my horn in a series of short toots when I am in an area that has good cover close to the road or open fields where they are likely to feed. So far I have seen plenty of deer but never hit one. They tend to stop and listen being curious creatures.
2) A 2 ft nose piece made of sheet aluminum bonded to both sides of 2 in. foam would improve the air flow and add some crush space. Consider adding a bead of high strenth epoxy to better secure the frame and body. An air dam, belly pan, and wheel fairings will help too.
3) Add a chain or cable restraint to the engine-GM increased the size if their engines in the 70's but were still using motor mounts from the 50's. A hoop around the forward part of the drive shaft will keep the shaft from digging into the ground if the U-joint comes apart.
4) A wind deflector on the front of the trailer and tight tarps will reduce wind drag while towing a flat bed.
American cars have been larger historically for several reasons. First, we have had more domestic oil than either Europe or Japan. Second, we have larger distances to travel and larger cars are more comfortable due to a longer wheelbase. When I went to college 250 miles from home, my '71 Torino station wagon was much more comfortable than my dad's '70 Falcon though both were 6 cyl. Now I have a '95 Geo Prizm (Corolla 1.6L, 5 spd) and get twice the mpg with a comfortable ride due to improved suspension design.
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