Towing
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
I'm not sure about the 85 vans, but the manual for my 95 E150, 5 liter, AOD, recommends no higher than about 3200 lbs (that is from memory but I know it is between 3000 and 3500 max). I have no tow package though (extra cooling, etc.). In general, my transmission mechanic indicated to me that these trannys were really "passenger" designs and not intended for heavy routine towing.
Jim
Jim
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
I gess it wouldn`t be a bad thing to change the tranny fluid and install a tranny fluid cooler before I go towing a car on a 200 mile trip then huh . The car I`ll be towing is a 1971 2 door maverick that should weigh ~ 2,900 lbs so I should be good right ?
thanks
thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 7
From: Saint Augustine, FL
A 2900 lb car and how much for the trailer?
I use my '95 Clubwagon (5 liter/AODE) to tow my racecar/trailer, the combo weights 4800 lbs plus about 800 lbs of equipment in the van. A typical race weekend for mie may be an 800 mile tow each way. That's really the only thing I use the van for and with 225,000 miles on it now, I really don't think that a single 200 mile trip is going to be a problem.
If it doesn't have one already, do install a transmission cooler.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
I use my '95 Clubwagon (5 liter/AODE) to tow my racecar/trailer, the combo weights 4800 lbs plus about 800 lbs of equipment in the van. A typical race weekend for mie may be an 800 mile tow each way. That's really the only thing I use the van for and with 225,000 miles on it now, I really don't think that a single 200 mile trip is going to be a problem.
If it doesn't have one already, do install a transmission cooler.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
Umm, 14,000......... No kidding. My dad moved from indiana to ohio last year, and this is what he hauled everything he owned with.. The van was loaded (a 1988 E150 CW 302/AOD), then he hooked a 16 foot mobile home chassis that is converted into a trailer to that back of that. He loaded it, and then went across the scales at the seed farm near where we lived... He weighed in the neighborhood of 14k pounds. Yes, the trailer has brakes, and equalizer bars as well..... It was hell, his radiator clogged half way here, and he started to boil...... IT was an intersting trip from what I hear.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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I don`t know how much the trailor weighs its a dual axle trailor I gess it might weigh ~ 450 lbs ?
I know when I towed a bunch of old junk from mr sisters house with a slightly smaller dual axle trailor I realy couldn`t tell it was there , the van realy towed it well .
I know when I towed a bunch of old junk from mr sisters house with a slightly smaller dual axle trailor I realy couldn`t tell it was there , the van realy towed it well .
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Lead Driver
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Portsmouth, OH
My owners manual says the combined weight rating for an 85 302 is 10,000 lbs or 11,000, that's including the weight of the vehicle too. So realistically 5,000 or 6,000lbs. My father-in-law and I bought a 16' car trailer this year and it was close to 1200lbs. Make sure once you get the car loaded on there you don't use overdrive and shift gear manually.
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