An ambulance question.
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
An ambulance question.
I have a 96 E350 ambulance with a 7.3 diesel, E40D and a 411 rear, and drw. It has about 72k. I had the trans rebuilt with the heaviest duty parts I could get. My question is how much can it tow? It weighs about 11500 full. I usually tow a small backhoe that weighs about 7k with the trailer. I want to get a slightly larger one that would be about 12k with the trailer. Will it work? I can get a heavey duty hitch. The area I live in is pretty flat. I never go over 55 or so. I like the truck and would rather not have to trade it on a larger one if I don't have to. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
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The 96 Ford towing guide doesn't list E350 dually but the single wheel E350 with 7.3 and 4.1 gears has a GCWR of 20,000 and max tow of 10,000lbs. The F-series dually has a maximum tow of 12,500 for 5th wheel but still 10,000 for pull trailer. You may be above the Ford recommendations but I think I would try it and drive carefully.
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From: Dixie
I used to do work for a comapny that built ambulances and I've worked on quite a few outside of that. Most that I've seen are pretty maxed out for the cab/chassis that they are built on. This rings true with yor statement of 11500 full...full of what? Have you actually run it across a scale or is this weight on a sticker?
The 12k backhoe/trailer is going to put at least 1,200# on the hitch which is going to overload this vehicle a bit. Is there a way to get of some of the stuff that makes up the "full" weight of this vehicle? Short of that you can try to hook up and see how the vehicle sits if this option is available as you would probably like to have an answer before getting the bigger backhoe. You're talking about a 500# increase on the back of vehicle. Check the tires for the max load rating and the rear axle weight rating, you shouldn't exceed either one.
Having driven quite a few of these loaded vehicles at speed leads me to believe that even pulling the 7k setup is a bit much and I can't say that increasing the load to 12k is a wise move.
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
Dorf
The 12k backhoe/trailer is going to put at least 1,200# on the hitch which is going to overload this vehicle a bit. Is there a way to get of some of the stuff that makes up the "full" weight of this vehicle? Short of that you can try to hook up and see how the vehicle sits if this option is available as you would probably like to have an answer before getting the bigger backhoe. You're talking about a 500# increase on the back of vehicle. Check the tires for the max load rating and the rear axle weight rating, you shouldn't exceed either one.
Having driven quite a few of these loaded vehicles at speed leads me to believe that even pulling the 7k setup is a bit much and I can't say that increasing the load to 12k is a wise move.
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
Dorf
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Thanks for the replies. I can get better tires. I'm not sure the ones I have would hold the weight. I did have it on a scale when I first got it and when I loaded it. What I eat during the day might change it a hundred pounds or so but it is pretty close. It is all tools in the truck. I could probably dump a few hundred.
Would a weight distributing hitch help? Is the difference between my E350 and a 450 just in the springs? Or is the rear axle housing different too? I could easily add springs.
I went to where they make the ambulances. They come from the factory with duals. It is not a conversion. But I have also heard the conversions only help with stability not weight. Except for the size I would think it is the same as an F series rear.
I plan to keep my smaller hoe, so this might be a once or twice a week tow. I would use the smaller one most of the time.
Would a weight distributing hitch help? Is the difference between my E350 and a 450 just in the springs? Or is the rear axle housing different too? I could easily add springs.
I went to where they make the ambulances. They come from the factory with duals. It is not a conversion. But I have also heard the conversions only help with stability not weight. Except for the size I would think it is the same as an F series rear.
I plan to keep my smaller hoe, so this might be a once or twice a week tow. I would use the smaller one most of the time.
Last edited by trike1946; Dec 7, 2005 at 07:02 PM.
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