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If it has the 3.55 rear end it is rated to tow up to 6800 lbs. Your max combined weight of van and trailer will be 12,000 lbs. Your van, full of gas with no passengers will weigh about 5600 lbs. You have to take into account how much load you will have in the van in order to determine how much towing capacity remains. You can't actually tow that amount without removing the seats or something to lighten the van or you will excede the max combined weight.
If you push the combined max of 12,000 lbs for the van and trailer, it will tow fine on moderately hilly terrain and be sluggish in mountainous terrain. It will tow at 65 in moderate terrain all day long. Your trailer should have brakes if you are planning on towing a heavy load.
Brakes on the trailer are a must, I can tell you now, that pulling about 8k out of penn, through the mountains we were down to ~40mph on some of the grades. But then again my dad loaded the van until it bulged and the hooked the 6x8 uhaul to the back of it.... We warped the rotors and toasted a new ujoint on that trip.
Thanks for the heads up on the tow ratings. Been towing with my Chevy for 2 years now, 31' travel trailer. It sounds like the Ford will tow about the same. Don't start yelling at me, the Chevy was free (plus the new tranmission, brakes, trani cooler, tires, tune up, oil pump, fuel pump.........$2,200.00)
Does anyone know what it will tow with the optional rear end (4.18 I think). I know the van has a factory installed towing package with a class III reciever.
Also how do the numbers brake down.
Torque
HP
Fuel economy with and with out the anchor on back
I was just wondering why you don't keep towing with the chevy. I'd think a G20 would be better for the weight than a E150. A 31 foot travel trailer can't be very light.
The Chevy is prob. better for the weight. But, the Chevy needs major paint work, it was parked under a tree and there is no paint on the roof. The body it self is a little rough also.
Anyway the Ford is CLEAN inside and out with 30000 less miles.
The plan has always been to sell the Van and our Windstar next summer for a newer Ford conversion van. With any luck a E-250, with a Power Stroke or the V10. I figure the Ford will be worth a few more $ in 8 months. And all of this years trips will be in OH IN I'll KY PA NY so not many big hills.
I pulled a 30 ft travel trailer--Prowler--for several years with a '96 E150, 351 (5.8), 3.55 gears, etc. Pulled like a champ. No problems. Just traded it for a 2000 E250 with the 5.4 and 3.55 gears....wow! I can run with the big dogs now!
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