I tow a boat with our 99 T&C Ltd. 3.8. The rig weighs out about 1000 lbs. I
also own a Suburban (98 with 5.7 V8 and 4wd) Oddly enough while towing with
the 'burb from NW IL to central MN the van will get worse mileage than the
'burb will or very close. Unloaded on this trip the 'burb will get 16 to 18
depending on weather and speed. Loaded it will get exactly the same. The van
will run avg. 21 to 22 unloaded on this trip and 15 to 16 loaded. Loaded
meaning with boat. The little V6 takes a pretty hard "hit" while towing.
The good part is it's VERY stable and I've never had a worry while dragging
it. It stops fine too. It does get sluggish though (hence the mileage hit)
while the 'burb goes about it's business like it wasn't there.
I've known more than one person who got rid of a Tahoe/Yukon/'Burb and got
explorers or sport tracks (explorer truck?) and were amazed at how thirsty
they are and wished for their full size V8 'burbs back.
If you do go the van route I can tell you as a vehicle the T&C is superior
to anything from Ford (even GM for that matter)  just make sure you get the
trailer prep group.
Larry