1990 E250 towing capacity
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Chicago area
It depends somewhat on what you're towing. If the trailer does not have brakes then keep the gross weight to 3500 lbs. If the trailer has brakes then 5000 lbs is fine providing the hitch is a class II with a 2 inch ball.
Over 5000 lbs you will find then the van will be underpowered and will have to work hard to pull that kind of load. I have a 1988 with the 5.8L and the PO used it to tow an enclosed trailer of unknown weight. He had to rebuild the engine at 80,000 miles.
Also the kind of trans is key. I have the C6 which is almost unbreakable. What you have may be different. If it has overdrive then your trans is not a C6 and not as strong.
With proper modifications to the drivetrain I think someone could set up a van like yours to tow up to 8000 lbs but the cost may make it uneconomical.
Over 5000 lbs you will find then the van will be underpowered and will have to work hard to pull that kind of load. I have a 1988 with the 5.8L and the PO used it to tow an enclosed trailer of unknown weight. He had to rebuild the engine at 80,000 miles.
Also the kind of trans is key. I have the C6 which is almost unbreakable. What you have may be different. If it has overdrive then your trans is not a C6 and not as strong.
With proper modifications to the drivetrain I think someone could set up a van like yours to tow up to 8000 lbs but the cost may make it uneconomical.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6
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thanks
Thanks for the info, I do have overdrive so that gives my a pretty good idea, I just had new U joints put in, not sure what other mods are possible to the drive train, but I doubt it will be worth it for me anyway. its a good solid vehicle, but to do what I want I will probably wind up buying a truck.
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phurst
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Sep 8, 2011 09:37 PM
