Puling RV trailer with E150 van
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
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Puling RV trailer with E150 van
I have a 1994 E150 Conversion Van with a 5.0 liter / automatic tranny / 4:10 rearend.
Everything has been rebuilt or replaced on this van as to drive train except the base engine. New struts/shocks, tie rod ends, rebuilt tranny, new 4:10 rearend, new premium tires, all engine soft parts, AC totally reworked (both front and back).
With the installation of a heavy duty drawtite hitch and the appropriate equipment to accomodate the electric brakes on the RV, which is 25 foot long, will this van be okay for towing the RV?
This would not be a regular occurence. This would be in an emergency where I need to relocate because of a hurricane approaching.
Any input or advice appreciated.
Tom
Everything has been rebuilt or replaced on this van as to drive train except the base engine. New struts/shocks, tie rod ends, rebuilt tranny, new 4:10 rearend, new premium tires, all engine soft parts, AC totally reworked (both front and back).
With the installation of a heavy duty drawtite hitch and the appropriate equipment to accomodate the electric brakes on the RV, which is 25 foot long, will this van be okay for towing the RV?
This would not be a regular occurence. This would be in an emergency where I need to relocate because of a hurricane approaching.
Any input or advice appreciated.
Tom
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Sweden
I have an '87 E150 with the 302, 3 spd non-AOD with 3.88 rear end. I'm not wholly impressed with its ability to haul itself. A popup camper or a few hundred pounds of trailer and it's quite a burden on hills.
Would it work in an emergency? I don't know... nor do we know how much your trailer weighs, that can vary enormously. I think it's gonna be painfully slow especially on the hills, but I think it will at least be able to do it crawling up a hill in first gear with a bunch of people trying to pass you.
Would it work in an emergency? I don't know... nor do we know how much your trailer weighs, that can vary enormously. I think it's gonna be painfully slow especially on the hills, but I think it will at least be able to do it crawling up a hill in first gear with a bunch of people trying to pass you.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Northern Indiana
You should really put this in the towing forum, but here's what you MUST do. Weigh the van fully loaded as though you were getting ready to tow the trailer. Add to the weight of the van any extra passengers you may have or extra luggage. Also you must weigh the RV, with water, lp, etc. tanks full, just like you might tow it.
Look on the sticker on the driver's door column of the van and find the GCWR. Now do this:
GCWR - (van total weight) = towing capacity.
Your RV cannot weigh more than the van's towing capacity or you will be taxing the whole system.
I can tell you with about 90% accuracy you'll be quite a bit overweight. Also, the 302 will be severely affected by towing such weight, even if it's in limits and it will be an extemely doggy.
So if it's just in an emergency, I'd probably do it anyway, but take it easy.
Look on the sticker on the driver's door column of the van and find the GCWR. Now do this:
GCWR - (van total weight) = towing capacity.
Your RV cannot weigh more than the van's towing capacity or you will be taxing the whole system.
I can tell you with about 90% accuracy you'll be quite a bit overweight. Also, the 302 will be severely affected by towing such weight, even if it's in limits and it will be an extemely doggy.
So if it's just in an emergency, I'd probably do it anyway, but take it easy.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Spartanburg, SC
Towing w/ Small V8
Towed a 23' travel trailer from SC to AK and back -- some 12,000 miles.
'98 F150 w/ 4.6 auto, I think it's got the 3.55 rear end. We clicked the odo over the 100,000 mile mark on the trip; she's got another 12k on top of that now.
'98 F150 w/ 4.6 auto, I think it's got the 3.55 rear end. We clicked the odo over the 100,000 mile mark on the trip; she's got another 12k on top of that now.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 333
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From: Toledo, Ohio
Tom, I personally think you'll do fine for what you want. (especially with the 4.10 differential) I would put a rear sway bar on the van in addition to the hitch/trailer brakes, etc. If your trailer/tow vehicle is properly set up, it will work out fine. John
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,015
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From: Maryville
In an emergency I don't think DOT will pull you over to weigh vehicle and trailer. I'd say you can, but it won't be very efficient or quick, so don't try to push it.
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Using E150 to tow RV
After reading the replies, I have decided the best approach will be for me to trade in my Ranger truck on a F150 with a towing package. I will feel a lot safer doing that. Also, if we evacuate with the truck, RV and conversion van, we will have more room to take stuff. After seeing what happened in New Orleans and the other gulf states, I am painfully aware that I need to provide for myself.
Thanks for all your inputs.
Tom
Thanks for all your inputs.
Tom
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Sweden
Originally Posted by ttaylor530
After reading the replies, I have decided the best approach will be for me to trade in my Ranger truck on a F150 with a towing package.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
> This would be in an emergency where I need to relocate because of a hurricane approaching
Sure. You probably are not driving fast anyway. The real question is how much does it weigh and how much does the van weigh loaded? Is the 8.8 axle going to handle it?
I do think that is a tad much for a E-150 and you really need the E-250, E-350. That being said, why not just put a rebuilt 351w in the van? With a 4.10 ls rear end it would be acceptable.
Did you add a much bigger transmission cooler into the budget?
Sure. You probably are not driving fast anyway. The real question is how much does it weigh and how much does the van weigh loaded? Is the 8.8 axle going to handle it?
I do think that is a tad much for a E-150 and you really need the E-250, E-350. That being said, why not just put a rebuilt 351w in the van? With a 4.10 ls rear end it would be acceptable.
Did you add a much bigger transmission cooler into the budget?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
I don't think you will have a problem at all. Especially with the 4.10 gear. My Clubwagon is used almost exclusively for towing a 4800 lbs car/trailer along with about 500 lbs of stuff in the van. Its a '95, E150 Clubwagon XLT, 5 liter, 4R70W and a 3.32 rear end gear. I have 235,000 miles on the van with the vast majority of that towing the above rig. It does just fine.
Have you tried towing the trailer with it yet to see how it does? I bet you will find it does a much better job than you would think.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
Have you tried towing the trailer with it yet to see how it does? I bet you will find it does a much better job than you would think.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
Good point but one easily addressed with trailer brakes. I have electric brakes on the lead axle of my trailer. Stopping is not an issue. I have to replace the rotors every year but it stops fine.
Adding braking capacity is easily done on the trailer. Adding load pulling capcity is not.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
Adding braking capacity is easily done on the trailer. Adding load pulling capcity is not.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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In an emergency, you'll be fine. You will be overweight, especally as a conversion van, which starts out heavy, but in an emergency/hurricane, who cares? Just get out of there!!! You're not driving that fast anyway in an evacuation.