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You seen how big some of those "crew cab" dualies are ?

 

F-650 Concept Tow Vehicle - Oh, Yeah....




Saaweeeet

 

I'm going to go out on a limb here and state that while that F-650 is WAY COOL...I'm pretty sure it will cost the OP more than the $15,000-$20,000 he has budgeted!

 

The "boy" in me just couldn't help it -

To bring this thread back to stumpgc's original question - wander, while it COULD be caused by a myriad of things, would PROBABLY be cured by necessary maintenance -

• Front rotors (check the front bearings and pads, turn the rotors, even if new if you still have a problem).
• Proper sized tires - while big fat tires look "cool", skinny, E rated, proper width to rim size tires make the best tow tires.
• If you are still unhappy with the X as a TV (Tow Vehicle) after tires, front end, and the other "cures" mentioned here, probably the most economic cure is to invest in a GOOD sway prevention hitch - I am talking Propride, Hensley, or Pullrite. None of the three are inexpensive as far as hitches go, but how do you put a price on ultimate safety. Each of the three hitches mentioned above will run (new) close to two grand all in (tax, shipping, installation), and will give you the most bang for your bucks as far as eliminating the "white knuckle factor" from your towing experience - camping/towing/travelling is supposed to be fun.

As far as TV goes, (IMHO) the Ex reigns supreme, stepping up to a full blown E-350 Crew Cab 8' bed could be done for not many more bucks, but then you need the proverbial 40 acres to turn the rig around with a serious limitation of interior room.

In reply to Ex Hemi's suggestion about the E-350, I have towed many miles with a 3/4 ton shortie high top conversion van - while "adequate", it is just not the vehicle than an Ex is - look at the dry weights...I was actually looking for an E-350 to use as a TV when I "fell into" my current Ex - I had to give up a lot of interior room (dogs, camping gear, show pens take up a LOT of room), but as far as a pure "tow" vehicle goes, short of a pickup, the Ex would be tough to beat.

I have towed the Airstream in my Avatar with the 3/4 ton van with both a Reese Dual Cam and a Hensley Arrow hitch - the Hensley wins hands down in all respects. Some people would argue that the Hensley is overcomplicated and difficult to hook up. - Complicated?, maybe, but the geometry of the hitch allows a rock solid "straight as an arrow" TV/Trailer coupling during forward movement, and actually allows for a sharper turn while backing up and slow forward speeds. Difficult to hitch? - For the first couple of times, maybe, but, like anything else, the more often you do it the easier it gets - by now hooking up the Hensley takes barely more time than the Reese did.

Good luck on whichever route you take, but please post back with your results so that others may benefit from your experience.

 

I never heard of rotors being a "cause" of wander.

 

I was thinking rotors and tie rod ends - usually (on the Ford vans and Pickups, anyway) my experience (with strictly pre-1996 models) is that once a problem occurs (vibration, tire wear, pulling) the entire front end is suspension and steering is often involved. Usually this occurs way past the time that proper preventative maintenance would have caught it -

Monsta is right, rotor warp usually manifests in braking vibration, brake pedal surge, and steering wheel shake.

I stand corrected.

 

Just to set the record straight...

The ONLY reason I even suggested an 1 ton full-sized V10 powered van is because the OP has SEVEN people in his family.

Even our mighty Ex's have their comfort limits...at least the way my family travels.

Perhaps for local 1-2 hour trips...that's a different issue.

But I didn't buy a TV and TT to stay local...there is too much to see in this great country...our longest day pulling has been 750 miles or ~15 hours and at least 1-2 12-14 hour days each year...with 9-10 being very common...so comfort is of high concern even for the 4 of us. And let me tell you the Ex is an INCREDIBLE vehicle to travel in...but we spread out...at least the kiddo's do...I'm driving (the only driver) and Tracey sleeps...that's how we roll...

PLUS if anyone thinks you can hitch up a 9000# TT with 1100# of tongue weight and cram 7 people with all their stuff inside an Ex for a family trip and NOT exceed the 8900# GVWR on a V10 4x4 Ex...well all I can say is that they have never been to a scale. My Ex trim level is an XLT...low end on 'comfort' options. I have added some iron to my Ex in the form of a rear sway bar and RAS...they add some weight yes...but in my XLT with my two SMALL daughters and my wife and I when hitched I EXCEED my GVWR by a mere 100#'s...add some more people and that number only gets worse...

So while I agree that a 1 ton van is no Ex...in many ways (i.e. PAYLOAD) the Ex is no 1 ton van...numbers don't lie. Ignoring ratings aside of course...

Don't forget I am an Ex man to the bone...but sometimes the Ex don't fit the bill...and IMO a family of SEVEN on long vacations deserves more interior space and room to spread out...plus the payload of the van cannot be denied...it is MASSIVE.

Joe.

 

OK OK OK, well I guess I need to take back what I said about the EX fitting your need to a T, because Joe has done some research into this and has written one hell of a write up for which he has made some very good points, so after reading this and Joe's write up he correct in all point he made, so I will give Joe Rep point for a job well done.

 

Well Joe sorry IOU some rep points, I'm told I need to spread them around first.

 

I repped him for ya.

 

Thanks Monsta

 

Ditto.....

 

Thanks guys...I can feel the love coming thru...really!

That's what makes this forum so great...the ability to discuss things in a civilized manner without flaming each other...show up in Gatlinburg and the first round is on me!

Joe.

 

Sorry guys but I've gone to the dark side of the force and bought a Chevy Surburban with the 8.1 with 4.10 gears not so good for mileage but just what I needed to tow our camper thanks for all your help, very helpful and informative. Thanks again Greg

 

stumpgc,

Good luck to you...My opinion is that a Burb is in the same boat as the Ex in the way of lack of interior space for your family...in fact the Ex actually has an EDGE in interior space since it is a bigger overall vehicle.

The Burb does have an edge in payload though since it is a lighter vehicle than the Ex.

I've got a few close camping buds with the 8.1L motor...it is a great tow motor...but the SUV wrapper is still lacking IMO for the size of your family for longer trips...

Good luck to you and your family with your camping adventures we won't hold your bowtie purchase against you...

Joe.