Hi everyone,

I have a 1997 e350 powerstroke with a 16ft cube, I am moving in another province at 5000 km (3000 miles) and I want bring my old beetle with me.
She is 900 kg (2000 lbs) and I am looking for a Uhaul type car trailer that is another 2000 lbs

The problem is that I don't know which trailer hitch I have to use.
I am sure they are different from the classic e350 wagon, I called a few shops and they ask me around 900$ with the instalation for a custom hitch...

I have tools and skills to do it myself, but I don't know which one to use.

Any advise will be a big help, I plan to move in 1 month..





Back of my truck, I am Ok to cut the middle of the bumper if necessary

 

If I was you I would go to my local UHaul truck rental place and look at their e350 box trucks and see which hitch they used and how they installed it. Here's a good deal on a hitch for a 97 E350 but it may need modifications and your van also.

 

To my eye---very limited and inexperienced with mounting hitches---I don't see anything back there I'd feel safe tying into with thoughts of towing much of anything. Even though you have a E350 chassis once original frame is extended or grafted it might not be intended to have a hitch mounted.

Most of what could be used as a mounting point seem to be nothing more than support for a relatively flimsy step and the slot for the extendable ramp.

I'd look for a similar van and box to see if there is a safe hitch really available. Perhaps the $900 would address my concerns?

 

If it was mine i would:
(1)remove rear bumper and remove frame extensions that support back of box
(2)install sturdy crossmember at back of stock frame
(3)extend frame with c channel same size and thickness as stock frame, fishplate and add another sturdy rear crossmember, resupport box
(4)keep the extension as short as possible, stock E350 hitch should now be able to be used
(5) install hitch as necessary
(6) fab brackets for bumper, modify bumper as necessary

As said above, this is just one way of doing it. Others will have other ways. I look forward to their ideas. Above all, keep it safe., jack