When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Read all the posts about GCWR limits. Just want to make sure I got it right... My e350 extended club wagon XL 5.8 c6 with 3.54 rear axle weighs 5500 empty dual tanks full. (Yes I went to a weight station). GCWR according to drivers manual is either 9500, 10500 or 11500. I assume the different levels have to do with if you got a tow package or something. Since I currently have no tow hitch and tiny mirrors I assume I am at the 9500 level.. According to the brochure my trailer weight can only be 2,000 lbs. Is there anyway I can tell if I am the 10,500/11,500 type which would then let me tow up to 7500lbs? FWIW according to my tag on the drivers door says my Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is 9100. I know that is what I can put inside the van plus 20% of trailer weight (tongue).
Seems weird that I can only tow 2k with the van empty, fill it up with 2k worth of linebackers and still tow the same 2k.
Wondering if I can safely tow my buddy's 5300 travel trailer. His Ram died and last week he towed it 120 miles with his 2019 VW Tiguan 4 cylinder! (Rated at 2300lbs towing!). We live in FL FWIW.
Thanks in advance! Axle code is 33 which is the Dana 61 3.54.
Jvoss,
You need the aproriate reciever. If your van didnt come with one the limited tow capacity is due to actually using the bumper to connect the ball.
I mounted a class 4 reciever on mine and if i recall correct that gave me a tow cap of 10k and max tongue weight of 2k. You would need to check for yourself but if i understand correctly you would need a class3 reciever to safely tow your friends camper.
Read all the posts about GCWR limits. Just want to make sure I got it right... My e350 extended club wagon XL 5.8 c6 with 3.54 rear axle weighs 5500 empty dual tanks full. (Yes I went to a weight station). GCWR according to drivers manual is either 9500, 10500 or 11500. I assume the different levels have to do with if you got a tow package or something.
Your truck can tow upwards of 6000lbs(11500-5500) with an appropriate reciever and trailer brake controller. The different rating in the manual have to do with how the tow vehicle is equipped for towing, it's ready to tow curb weight including passengers, and the frontal area of the trailer.
Yout truck as it stands now is not safe to tow more than 2000lbs and the main reason for that is the lack of a reciever and brake controller, if both of those are added you move to the higher ratings where the limiting factors become the weight of the vehicles and the trailers frontal area.
Seems weird that I can only tow 2k with the van empty, fill it up with 2k worth of linebackers and still tow the same 2k.
From my understanding of GCWR, that is incorrect.
GCWR is like GVWR, your current weight is factored into both so those 2k linebackers would negate some of your trailer towing weight.
I'd assume the extra 18 inches past the rear axle of your club wagon isn't helping the tow rating either.
With a weight distributing hitch you may be able to tow that trailer, keeping an eye on axle weights.
The unfortunate reality is vans aren't the best for towing.
The unfortunate reality is vans aren't the best for towing.
For not being the best for towing I sure tow a lot with my vans. I pull two different 20 foot car trailers with my vans. My lighter trailer weighs 2,200 pounds empty. Both are extend vans, one is a 96 E250 and the other is a 89 E350, Both 351W powered.
I have towed 6k with the current and my previous 4.6 powered E250's, yes the motor struggles with this weight but the van otherwise has no problem handling it and feels quite stable and controlled.
For not being the best for towing I sure tow a lot with my vans.
Flat blade screwdrivers aren't the best for prying, but I sure do use them for that too.
Ok, so not the best simile but do you get what I'm saying?
I'd debate vans are way better than trucks all day for a lot of things. Trucks are usually rated to move bigger weights due to the difference in curb weight compared to a van.
Example: 1996 F250 and E250with a 5.8 and similar gears have the same GCWR (13,000lbs) but the truck is rated for 7900lb. trailer vs van at 7600lb.
Not a big difference but the trucks offer trailer ratings up to 12.5k with the right engine and gears without getting into diesels or dually. Vans only get up to 10k.
Reguardless, both '96 manuals say:
Super Cooling is required with trailers over 2,000 lb (907 kg).
Super Cooling and Handling/Suspension Package or trailer towing package is required with trailers over 3,500 lb (1587 kg).
Flat blade screwdrivers aren't the best for prying, but I sure do use them for that too.
Ok, so not the best simile but do you get what I'm saying?
I'd debate vans are way better than trucks all day for a lot of things. Trucks are usually rated to move bigger weights due to the difference in curb weight compared to a van.
Example: 1996 F250 and E250with a 5.8 and similar gears have the same GCWR (13,000lbs) but the truck is rated for 7900lb. trailer vs van at 7600lb.
Not a big difference but the trucks offer trailer ratings up to 12.5k with the right engine and gears without getting into diesels or dually. Vans only get up to 10k.
Reguardless, both '96 manuals say:
Super Cooling is required with trailers over 2,000 lb (907 kg).
Super Cooling and Handling/Suspension Package or trailer towing package is required with trailers over 3,500 lb (1587 kg).
Hey man whatever you say. If you like trucks then use them. I'm a van man. The nice thing about my vans is they will haul a lot more then any pick up before they even need the trailer. And it's all enclosed and out of the weather. But when I need the trailer I've never had the van not handle it.
I haul a lot of scrap metal and vehicles. Like I said my trailer is 2,200 pounds empty. And when I'm towing it's not empty very often.
Flat blade screwdrivers aren't the best for prying, but I sure do use them for that too.
Ok, so not the best simile but do you get what I'm saying?
I'd debate vans are way better than trucks all day for a lot of things. Trucks are usually rated to move bigger weights due to the difference in curb weight compared to a van.
Example: .........................................
If Jesus Christ and Superman had a fight who'd win? Same BS argument IMHO---these sorts of arguments are useless and produce no worthwhile information.
Each type vehicle have their uses, if they didn't one of them would have long, long ago faded into oblivion. Either when properly equipped will haul OR tow amazingly heavy loads in a safe manner. In the end its the owner or user who is in the best position to determine which suits their needs. As a tradesman vans excel due their enclosed cargo space---there's simply no better tool-box-on-wheels I've ever seen. If an F-Series met my needs and requirements I'd have on in place of or addition to my current E-Series.
IF I need to haul loads my E-Series could not be configured to safely handle it'd be a F-Series---simple as that.
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
