need a van

[ShadeTreeMech]

I'd go for a honda odessey, Toyota sienna, or nissan quest personally. All 3 have a 3500 lb towing capacity. But if you need 5000 lbs, then get an e-150 with the powerstroke. You could touch 20 mpg with the powerstroke, and have room to spare. The e-150 and 250 are basically trucks anyway.

OR you could get creative and go for the dodge sprinter with the mercedes I-5. I've heard lots of good things about those. Wouldn't be hard to outfit it with seating for 7.

Have you thought about a Suburban or Expedition with a diesel? With 3rd row seating you van seat 7 in those.

BTW, does that mean you also have 5 kids? I have 5 kids myself, think there are few out there that can fill all the seats in nearly all vans!

[dremd]

Trailer has brakes?
Towing in mountains?
5000 lbs is on the far end of my **estimate** for a CarAVan.

[95Bronco]

My wife and I bought a really nice 2000 Chevy Venture this spring for 4500 bucks. Only 78,000 miles.

We average over the course of a month or two around 26.1mpg. Includes warming in the morning, hurrying to work, country roads with traffic, turns, stops etc.

I've averaged as high as 36.4mpg over the course of about 100 miles doing around 65 in traffic (very reduced wind resistance)

Any kind of highway driving from 65-70 mph will net 30mpg. Slightly under or over depending on how close to 65 or 70 we are going.

I'm more than happy.