So my wife and I are looking into buying a Transit, but I want something that can tow our camp trailer. This one in the pics is a 2015 350 xlt, 15 pass., with the 3.5 ecoboost and factory tow package with trailer brake controller. My question is how much can these realistically tow? I know the roof rack and whatnot adds to the GVWR, but we would be removing at least a couple seats since we only have 4 kids, and will be fostering at most 2-3 more soon. Our trailer is about 4400 lbs dry weight, which I think is near the max weight the transit is rated for. My question is how well do these pull when pushing the max tow rating? My trailer has the sway hitch which I think would help, but I'm concerned it might be too much with people, gear, etc...

 

I cant help with the question, I'm just responding to the fact how I miss the econline E350 Van's. Last one we ordered is a 2012 E350 xlt cargo van. 5.4, 4.10 LS THINGS AN ANIMAL

 

 

For some reason, the cargo vans are rated for a higher GCVWRMS. Makes no sense to me.
Regardless, the same engine and tranny are rated for much more weight in pickups. The axles and brakes should all be good for more as well. I can only imagine the cooling is what's holding it back.

 

My fathers 2015 T350 HR 3.5/3.31 combo has towed 9000 worth of trailer/mini excavater plenty of times. No problems with cooling (in PNW summer, 90*F low humidity), and it handles the loads fine. Waaaay over the rated tow capacity for his setup. And he hauls ~2000 lbs worth of electrical equipment at all times.

 

Scissor lift is lighter, but still an impressive load. Van has around 140k miles on it now, the only problem he had was a fuel pump going out.

 

I also want a Transit 350HD, DRW, that is capable of towing a decent load. What Ford needs to do is put the new 7.3L gas V8 in a new Transit 450HD and make it useful! 430HP, 475 ft/lbs.

 

Damn, I wish. Even the 5.0 I would be happy with. I'm debating ordering either a F150 5.0, F250 7.3, or a Transit probably 250 with a 3.5 Ecoboost. The van would be more better for traveling and could sleep in it, but damn I don't like or trust that engine. Doing research now and need to make sure of how much I will actually need to tow.

I don't know towing capacity and can't find it online, so interested in what is replied here to the OP's Q.

 

You can get a new E series cutaway with a 7.3L in it. there are companies that basically recreate a van body for the cutaway as well.
https://www.ford.com/commercial-truc...commercial-vhp

I can't find the body manufacturer, but here it is on a Sportsmobile
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2...ford-e-series/

 

I didn't think of those, but yes, would have to find someone to do the body. Agree, could we find someone to make it a van? Closest thing I see is the utility body but think those have limited room inside. I like that they're putting the 7.3 in it.

EDIT: I went to a local Florida dealer that has several locations. They are easy to search and look at the window stickers. All cutaways stocked are either a box truck or utility body. Hmmm, food for thought as I wonder if there are other options for putting a body on it like a van body? Prices are very reasonable compared to what I'm seeing when pricing out Transit van, F150/250 on the Ford.com site, but these also don't have some of the new technology especially w/regard to sound/navigation/bluetooth, but maybe that's a good thing. Dunno if this idea could work reasonably, but might be worth exploring. Thanks for the thought.

 

Should be no issue at all. We had 3 of the passenger wagons at a church I used to work at. 350 models with Ecoboost, and factory tow package. Check that specific VIN's specs, as you can order them in a lot of variations. We regularly pulled a 6x12 (7 foot sidewalls) cargo trailer fully loaded, plus 15 passengers with no issues at all.

These absolutely kill the Econoline vans in comfort, drivability, and fuel mileage. Have not ever missed the E-series vans after driving these. The Ecoboost is a must have, IMO.

 

That article is 1-1/2 yr old, and see the price tag for the body and 4x4 is almost $100k. A bit more than I wanted to spend. I think the body alone was ~$36K. You could probably pare that down a bit by not getting 4x4 and w/o the expanding top, but still lots of $$ when for the less money could get a Transit 250 or 350 with a Ecoboost.

I like it tho and would be the coolest kid on the block if we had one lol...

PS, did OP get that Transit in first post and is it working out?