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My wife drives a 2010 Ford E350 5.4 12 seater with 170,000 miles. We adore it. While we recognize that these vehicles can last a long while, because she hauls our kids all over the US in it, we want a fresher vehicle before the summer. This time we will go to a 15 seater. We do not like the Transit, and therefore will choose between a 2014 Ford E350 or 2014 GM Savana 3500. I have heard that the 15 seat Ford is less stable than the GM due to axle placement. Can anyone who has driven both vehicles-say, who drives or manages fleet vehicles--please give their thoughts between these two vehicles (driving, safety, durability, etc.)? Thank you!
Last edited by 20BHPat1600RPM; 12-24-2016 at 01:51 PM.
Reason: More questions
I've driven both, not 15-passenger so it may not apply, but the regular cargo van. The Chevy feels more car-like to me whether it's loaded or empty, but FWIW I feel safer in the Ford. The Chevy feels less stable loaded and doesn't respond as well, the Ford is just slower to get up to speed.
I don't have any answers nor suggestions but I'm sure curious about your username
20brake horsepower at 1600 revolutions per minute. Right?
what is it in reference to?
It is a reference to the oldest Ford in our stable: a Model T. It hasn't gotten out in years--too busy for a hobby--but at 102 years of age it's a testament to Ford durability!
One thing I noticed is that with the 15 passenger GM's longer wheelbase, you have to learn to swing out when making right hand turns or you will run over the curb. This also means that you have to be careful when in the outer lane with 2 turn lanes or you might clip the car beside you.
From what i read a year or so back, besides the high center of gravity, is that the rollovers with 15 passenger vans is often traced to the rear wheels. As these vans have a higher center of gravity, even more so with the more passengers or cargo you have, As you swerve or make a tight turn at higher speeds, the weight shifts to the sidewalls and the tire pops off the rim. At that point the rim digs into the ground and you have a rollover. Many experts seem to think that duel wheels would solve part of the problem.
While GM said the solved the problem with the longer wheel base, I am not sure there are any stats on this yet.
HEre is a 98 roll over test with single and duel wheels.
I know you mentioned that you don't like the Transit, but I'd take another look at them. If you can get past the looks, there are a few benefits that we found compelling.
You're going to have a hard time finding a cheaper van to operate than a Transit. Our V6-powered T-350 will do 19 MPG on the highway, yet still has more than enough power to pull our 3,500 lb boat. There's no doghouse in the Transit, the entire engine is easily accessible through the hood. The Transit is also substantially safer than most other vans currently available. It's the only van that has side curtain airbags that protect ALL rows of passengers, not just the first three in the Chevy:
The Transit is the only full-size van currently sold with rack-and-pinion steering, so the handling is much tighter than other designs. We got ours used for $23K with 24,000 miles on it. We've had a couple of minor issues taken care of under warranty, but it's great for our family, and we'd buy the same van again if it came to that.
Annaleigh, Tom, thank you for the particularly detailed responses.
Tom, one thing that bugs me about the transit is the seat configuration. In our E350, on driving breaks a kid can lie down on a three-person bench. Larger items can be stored under the E350's larger seats. And sometimes the kids like sitting close together, which works well with the E350 bench. All of the transits I've seen are configured so that there is a single seat, then an aisle, then a double seat. How has this worked in actual practice for you?
Last edited by 20BHPat1600RPM; 12-26-2016 at 01:09 PM.
Reason: Clarity
Annaleigh, Tom, thank you for the particularly detailed responses.
Tom, one thing that bugs me about the transit is the seat configuration. In our E350, on driving breaks a kid can lie down on a three-person bench. Larger items can be stored under the E350's larger seats. And sometimes the kids like sitting close together, which works well with the E350 bench. All of the transits I've seen are configured so that there is a single seat, then an aisle, then a double seat. How has this worked in actual practice for you?
Don't have the van at the moment to take photos. We bought ours to have a wheelchair lift installed for our daughter, and it's been in the shop for a hydraulic leak with the lift.
The seats are four across in the last row, with the third and fourth rows as you described. The second row is three across. These aren't benches though, more like airline seats without armrests between them. All of them recline, some individually, but not that far. Not as comfortable to lay across than a flat bench, but more comfortable when seated in my opinion.
I drive a 15 passenger E350 and it's more stabile than our E150. I have Bilsteins all around.My good friend owns 2 Chevy Express 3500 vans and likes the car like feel. Because of the longer wheel base, he and his family have put a lot of dents in their first van because they did not swing wide on turns.
I have my eyes on the Transit van for a future van.
12-24-2016, 01:46 PM
