Hello,
I am trying to find what my '88 E250 GCVW is? I searched and found all kinds of definitions, but no chart anywhere. I am going to be buying a Travel Trailer in the future and was trying to narrow down the weight range to look at. I have my vehicle manual and for my engine/gearing/trans combo it has 3 different GCVW listed. On the different Ford websites I was not able to find anything listed far enough back. I also tried running my VIN and it keeps saying it is an error......even though I have triple checked it. Any ideas?

 

Okay, so I read some more in my owners manual and I might have it figured out. I believe the 3 different trailer weights/GCWR's listed have to do with the type of hitch being used. The first option gives a trailer weight up to 2K pounds (GCWR 10k). Under the hitch section it stated that the step bumper hitch is good up to 2k pounds. Past that it references using a frame mounted hitch and a weight distribution hitch. The trailer weights say 2-3.5k (GCWR 10.5k) for the second section and 3.5-7.1k (GCWR 12k) for the 3rd section.

The GVWR for the van according to the door sticker is 8.5k pounds. If the van was loaded to the max GVWR of 8.5k and you add the lowest trailer weight in the last 2 sections you get the listed GCWR for that section. Just wish the manual had a key explaining this since I don't like assuming things. Anyone else see this in their manual?

And yes, its late, I'm tired and rambling some.....

 

Get a good frame mounted reciever hitch and dont worry about what it weighs. The tongue weight is what you have to watch out for.

 

I am pretty sure I will be fine with good hitch system and brake controller, but I was still interested in what the rating was....especially since it is listed in the manual, but in a confusing way.

Already have a frame mounted hitch and electric brake controller.