1985 Ford XLT SuperWagon
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1985 Ford XLT SuperWagon
Hello All.
Getting ready to start looking for a camper and just wanting to make sure I stay within my weights.
1985 E350 XLT "Super Wagon", 460.
Axle 33 - 6.25m Dana F Series
Trans G - C3
Springs are RQ
GVWR - 8800
Front GAWR 3550
Rear GAWR - 6084
So, looking to get a 28-30 foot camper, does anyone have a weight limit that would be useful? I am going to load up the van with what we normally take camping, fill up the tanks and throw the kids in and head to the scales on Monday to get a good idea of what I am working with.
Just wanting a ball park figure, or do we need to sell this van, or donate it to the Church, and go get a more update vehicle? Thanks in advance.
Joe
Getting ready to start looking for a camper and just wanting to make sure I stay within my weights.
1985 E350 XLT "Super Wagon", 460.
Axle 33 - 6.25m Dana F Series
Trans G - C3
Springs are RQ
GVWR - 8800
Front GAWR 3550
Rear GAWR - 6084
So, looking to get a 28-30 foot camper, does anyone have a weight limit that would be useful? I am going to load up the van with what we normally take camping, fill up the tanks and throw the kids in and head to the scales on Monday to get a good idea of what I am working with.
Just wanting a ball park figure, or do we need to sell this van, or donate it to the Church, and go get a more update vehicle? Thanks in advance.
Joe
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
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From: Millersville, MD
It will really depend on the condition of that old "beast". When new, I'm sure it would have towed the earth, but what about the mileage, condition etc. How's the tranny? Does it have a cooler on it? Would you drive it across country right now WITHOUT a trailer behind it?
I'd be very leary if it were me.....
I'd be very leary if it were me.....
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Church Van with 94 thousand miles on it, paperwork out the yin-yang in regards to maintenance, everything done at dealer. Tran flushed in 09, brakes replaced in 09. Has cooler, but don't know if it is the largest, would see about upgrading that.
I would drive it across country right now, no worries (except for that pesky fuel gauge, for some reason it drops too fast in my opinion).......
Tires were put on in November of 2010, we picked the van up in Feb/Mar time.
Only has a bumper ball, so will be looking at getting a receiver hitch with all the goods that go with it (anti-sway, etc).
Just don't want to start basing my plans around the van if she won't handle a load. We have 4 kids and the wife is a packing camper, everything seems to make the journey. So any opinions?
I would drive it across country right now, no worries (except for that pesky fuel gauge, for some reason it drops too fast in my opinion).......
Tires were put on in November of 2010, we picked the van up in Feb/Mar time.
Only has a bumper ball, so will be looking at getting a receiver hitch with all the goods that go with it (anti-sway, etc).
Just don't want to start basing my plans around the van if she won't handle a load. We have 4 kids and the wife is a packing camper, everything seems to make the journey. So any opinions?
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 1
What type of budget are you looking at? Are you looking for an older 28-30' usable unit for a rock bottom price? You have to watch carefully as they can by pretty heavy. If you're looking for a 1990s unit in the $3-4000 range, you should be all set. We were towing a 35' 1990 Dutchmen and it had a dry weight of only 5600 lbs. Also, we have a young family in our group towing a 29' 2001 Salem unit with rear bunks with an '02 Silverado V6 4x4. Dry weight at 5400 lbs.
I'd stay away from slide out equipped units. We onced moved a 34' 2006 Jayco with a large slide out that had a listed dry weight of 7995 lbs. A close friend has an '03 Prowler 31' with a slide that's 7300 lbs dry.
I'd say almost anything under 30' from the early 80's up, without a slide out should be good to consider. If you find something, see if you can take it down to the local scale. it might be worth the few bucks to know before buying.
As for your van, I'd invest in the time and the cheap money to run all new brake lines. If you aren't able to do it yourself, it'll probably caost you a few hundred bucks. But believe me it's worth it. Look to etrailer.com for your hitch brake controller needs.
I'd stay away from slide out equipped units. We onced moved a 34' 2006 Jayco with a large slide out that had a listed dry weight of 7995 lbs. A close friend has an '03 Prowler 31' with a slide that's 7300 lbs dry.
I'd say almost anything under 30' from the early 80's up, without a slide out should be good to consider. If you find something, see if you can take it down to the local scale. it might be worth the few bucks to know before buying.
As for your van, I'd invest in the time and the cheap money to run all new brake lines. If you aren't able to do it yourself, it'll probably caost you a few hundred bucks. But believe me it's worth it. Look to etrailer.com for your hitch brake controller needs.
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