The Ford Aerostar used the rear-wheel drive Ford VN1 platform, developed specifically for the model line. The first Ford light truck designed with a unibody chassis, the VN1 chassis (the first Ford chassis given an alphanumeric designation) was reinforced with full-length integrated frame rails. The hybrid chassis design provided the Aerostar with the same 5,000 pound tow rating as the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari ( times the capacity of the Chrysler minivans). To lower development and production costs of the model line, the Aerostar shared multiple suspension and powertrain components from the Ford Ranger and Ford Bronco II (later the Ford Explorer).