Well of course it's nothing more than snake oil---ANY improvement to fulfill a need or use beyond the standard configure of any vehicle is the same. Geeesh...............

Henry you're right---I am seeking better handling since my load handling capabilities now are just fine for my daily use of the E250. In another thread we've all been discussing the E vans sway and wind effects which started me thinking since I'm running close to my GVWR currently beefing the springs to perhaps E350 specs might give me a bigger "cushion" thereby theoretically decreasing the body roll and pitching during transistions (lane changing, braking etc) I'm hoping to "improve" upon.

If I go that route along with adding the Bilsteins then the RAS would be quite redundant and essentally never be activated. My budget for such improvements isn't a consideration for the most part but no sense in buying two things doing the same job if they don't enhance or compliment one another. If I were more energetic I'd simply purchase the RAS here locally, remove my Hellwig rear bar and compare them in my own real world test. Sadly that's not of interest just now!

Should I discover anything new about the RAS I'll revisit this thread. I do notice Active Suspension has introduced a newer version of the RAS which is a much much easier installation, simplified over the previous model quite significantly.

Thanks for all who contributed-----really appreciated!

 

JWA, thanks for posting this topic

Appreciate the comments of others in this thread too.

After reading the thread and doing research, I think I'll get the RAS set up, then down the road get the Bilsteins, then possibly add the front bar.

I've got an 03 E-150 Chateau that I bought primarily to tow a race car. Secondarily we drive 12 miles on the freeway to the state beach to go surfing maybe once a week.. Other than that we don't use the van.

Hadn't driven a full size van in probably 20 years and I had never towed a trailer before. I bought the "equalizer" brand hitch set up with sway control. As a novice it seems to work great, pulling about 5K with car & trailer. Been in big winds on the interstate, have to pay attention but never felt concerned.

Figure the RAS will eliminate more sway and like the comments regarding keeping the rear leveled as sometimes we load a ton of gear heading to the track and I see the tail go lower.

Hoping it will eliminate some of the floatness I experience on bumps or dips too, more so when unloaded.

Thanks again to everyone for the comments, now if I could just make the steering feel like a passenger car, too many minor corrections and disconected feel.

 

Thanks for your contributions as well Redtan-----bringing a few more things worth mentioning........

For my money the Hellwig front bar is pretty awesome athough a bit pricey BUT its a one time investment and a huge improvement over the stock version. If you envision yourself buying another E150 Chateau or similar keep the stock bar and swap them out again before parting with your current van. While there are urethane replacement bushings for the stock bars you’d greatly appreciate the firmer control of a Hellwig or similar strength front bar.

Bilstein shocks include the lifetime guarantee so any outlay would pretty much pay for itself long after other shocks were worn out. Not sure if anyone else has changed these themselves so its not an easy task---too many tight spots trying to fit a suitable wrench into.

I’ve heard nothing but good about the Equalizer hitches so that was a good investment if pulling anything frequently. Your situation would probably most benefit from the RAS over the rear sway bar if I’m understanding the Equalizer’s functions as it doesn’t do anything for the tow vehicle’s suspension. It does seem towing has its own science and best practices meaning there is probably a load of great information and suggestions to be found.

That “floating” feeling especially in the steering has always bothered me too---constantly looking for ways to restore that crisp, tight feeling of a newer lower mileage vehicle. At 245K miles my ’00 E250 is much more lose than a similar ’99 E250 with only 138K miles. The only difference is the steering box since I’ve had my front suspension rebuilt with Moog parts and competently aligned. If I could be assured changing out the steering box would indeed give me that feeling it’d be done in the same week.

This has been a good conversation and if nothing else we’ve discussed the RAS and helped me decide its not for me in my current application. Anyone looking for what it offers would do themselves a favor checking it out along with whatever other devices or systems they’re contemplating.

 

It finally dried up enough to crawl under the van and look. There is no sway bar on the rear of my 2008 12 passenger. I seem to recall a Ford press release stating there was. Maybe the 15 passenger has one, that model is the one getting all the heat from "concerned citizens" .

 

You'd be a prime candidate for the RAS or a Hellwig rear bar----they'd both be much much better than nothing at all!

 

YES! I have installed them and still ride with them on my E350, 15P van.

My whole issue was for rollover, not necessarily handling. It's been years now since I put them on to remember the difference. But, I do recall that under load, the van would get a little heavy feeling in the rear and they did help that.

I only had them on for a short time before I went to a dually kit which we really felt met our roll over requirements a 1000 times better. An 18 inch wide stance will stop that van from rolling over.

I had one of the metal brackets on the roadmaster bust while my wife was driving it. She "heard" something bang under the van and saw a spring shooting across the road. I called Roadmaster and they did send me two replacement brackets, but I only ever installed the one. They were out of warranty at the time.

I can't say that I would recommend or not recommend them. I just have them.

The dually I would recommend.

 

Adventure I'm sure the dual rear wheels is a world different from the standard configuration. I dare say the E vans outfitted for 15 passengers are not the safest of vehicles as delivered from the factory. Almost everything done to accommodate the increased load and raising the center of gravity seems to spell potential danger or disaster. Several videos on the RAS site show why they can be so problematic. I'm glad you found a solution that works best for you.

Oddly enough shortly after beginning this thread I decided to build another work/cargo van to replace one already in use for my business of auto glass. I'm close to the suggested maximum GVWR of the E250 so thinking the E350 would be a good step up. I'll be adding a raised roof with extended height rear doors which increases the weight and top heaviness slightly. Most of my carried weight is from tools, shelving/racks, supplles and actual glass so I don't need a lot more load capacity really----I just like the idea of having a heavier suspension system and braking.

When this new-to-me van is ready to roll if Hellwig doesn't have a suitable rear sway bar I'll look for someone who does----perhaps this is where the ambulance builders would be helpful? They tend to have dual rear wheels but I'm guessing a rather stout rear bar as well. Almost immediately I'll add the Hellwig front bar---their engineering approach regarding attachment points appeals to me.

Active Suspension as a company seems very customer service oriented so I'm not surprised they'd gladly send replacement brackets---good to know they're will to do such a thing.

So while the RAS no longer interests me maybe we've shed some light on possible solutions for others?

PS: Redtan-----try hauling one skittish horse in a two horse trailer behind an early Chevy 3/4 ton pickup if you want a thrill on the highway pulling a trailer. I did it once---the horse (filly Quarterhorse) and I were NEVER the same afterwards!