I am interested in purchasing a conversion van and want to pull a camper. Can you tell me what it can tow? My husband says it has a 351 and 40D - I don't know what that is...... but thought it might be helpful info.
Thanks.

 

Conversion vans are a bit tricky. The companies that do the conversion add widely different amounts of weight depending on what they put in and on them. Every pound that is added is one pound you cannot tow. A half ton chassis as a base vehicle sometimes will be near or at (or, in some cases OVER) the GVWR with folks, a little luggage and "stuff" on board. This is before a trailer is hooked to it. In many cases, due to the weight of the conversion, a half ton often does not make a good tow vehicle.

The best way to find out what you can tow is find the GVWR and GCWR of the van you are considering, fill it with gas and weigh it with all the people you plan on taking at your most crowded. Subtract this number from the GCWR and that will be the max the trailer can weigh LOADED. Subtract that number from the GVWR and you will have an idea of the max tongue weight you can have. This would be a good starting point. If you are considering a travel trailer and not a fold-down you may do well to look at a 3/4 ton base vehicle.

351 is a good engine for towing although not usually terribly fuel efficient. The E4OD is the 4 speed overdrive auto transmission Ford used until the 4R100 came along and is often the weak link in the drive line.

Just one free opinion, perhaps overpriced at that.

Dave / Believer45

 

Please forgive my impoliteness. Welcome to the forum, houstonc, and good for you for asking the questions BEFORE you buy the tow vehicle.

It would also help to know the year of van you are looking at, how it is equipped (raised roof conversions are significantly heavier than flattops and the total weight allowed is the same), wheelbase, rear end gearing and such. There should be a sticker on the door jamb that lists the weight ratings of the front axle, rear axle and total van. The GCWR is listed in Ford's towing guide for the year van you are considering.

Dave / Believer45

 

Thanks for the info. It is appreciated.

 

houstonc,

I posted a reply on the other forum re: best van, etc. Thought I'd also add that there is a bit of a difference between what you say you're looking at (E150) and what I have (E250). If you're also going to pull a trailer, I'd definitely take believer45's advice on getting at least a 3/4 ton (E250). But more likely, with the 18' trailer (assuming it's not a lightweight) you'll want to look at the 1 tons (E350). Since my van is also a high top, I have less towing capacity, so I stayed with the popup trailer (loaded won't weigh more than 2000 lbs).

Let us know what you end up doing.