I've really enjoyed this board, thanks for all the good info.

We recently purchased a used 1997 E150 high top conversion van. It is equipped with a 5.4l engine, factory tow package, transmission cooler, class 3 hitch and brake controller. We also own a 24' Wilderness Lite camper, dual axels, brakes with an unloaded weight rating of 3800 lbs. and a loaded weight rating of 4600 lbs. the tongue weight is 470 lbs.

We are a family of 4 and plan on vacationing and towing up and down the east coast for the next 2 years and eventually out west. We are not "high speed" tavelers and don't mind taking it slow, enjoying the scenery and stopping at every overlook.

Is this an appropriately sized vehicle for this camper? Is their anything extra (ie. load leveling hitch, air bags, heavier shocks etc.) that we should add?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

P.S. We didn't get the owners manual (will purchase soon) so I don't know all the ratings yet and will get the trailer and rig weighed.

 

>I've really enjoyed this board, thanks for all the good
>info.
>
>We recently purchased a used 1997 E150 high top conversion
>van. It is equipped with a 5.4l engine, factory tow
>package, transmission cooler, class 3 hitch and brake
>controller. We also own a 24' Wilderness Lite camper, dual
>axels, brakes with an unloaded weight rating of 3800 lbs.
>and a loaded weight rating of 4600 lbs. the tongue weight is
>470 lbs.
>
>We are a family of 4 and plan on vacationing and towing up
>and down the east coast for the next 2 years and eventually
>out west. We are not "high speed" tavelers and don't mind
>taking it slow, enjoying the scenery and stopping at every
>overlook.
>
>Is this an appropriately sized vehicle for this camper? Is
>their anything extra (ie. load leveling hitch, air bags,
>heavier shocks etc.) that we should add?
>
>Thank you in advance for your thoughts.
>
>P.S. We didn't get the owners manual (will purchase soon) so
>I don't know all the ratings yet and will get the trailer
>and rig weighed.


Here's the BASIC 'tow specs' from FORD for a 2002 E-150 (base model no modifications ie; conversion van.). Assume 1997 is very similar or slightly less.


TOWING AND PAYLOAD

Engine Axle Ratio GCRW Weight Vehicle
4.2L (256) SEFI V-6 3.55 10,000 5000 Van, Regular
4800 CREW Van, Regular
4.6L (281) SEFI V-8 3.55 11,500 6400 Van, Regular
4800 CREW Van, Regular
5.4L (330) SEFI V-8 2V 3.55 12,000 6800 Van, Regular 6600 CREW Van, Regular

All the above #'s are based on a LOW TOP standard van.

Your weight's will vary. The following is an example based on some assumptions of what your van is equipped with using the 5.4 Regular van ratings of 12,000 & 6800.


First your van is a high top conversion removing the steel top and adding the high top will add approx. 300#. Then add in the carpet, all the upholstery, fancy mouldings, curtains, TV, Captains chairs, etc. Figure 500#

So now you have a van that conservatively weighs in at somewhere in the neighborhood of 7500#

Add 4 adults...say 160# each for 720# Plus 600# in gear (clothing, pots, pans, food, nintendo, tv, etc). Say 1350#

And your trailer "DRY" weight of 3800#. Figure 4200 wet (water in the tanks). Most people have at least a 1/2 tank of water in the system for lunches, pit stops etc.

So lets add all this up. 7500+1350+4200 = 13050GCWR. You're 1,050 over your GCWR for the van. Not to mention probably over for the rear axle.


BEFORE YOU HITCH UP THE TRAILER.....GET THE VAN WEIGHED empty except for full gas tanks. Then put everyone in the van with all the stuff that would go in the van and weigh it again. The second weight is the one to use to figure out the rest.

Empty out the van and hitch the trailer to it. take it to the scales and weigh 1.) trailer complete, 2.) tongue weight, 3.) complete rig.
4.)Separate Axle weights of van unloaded and loaded (if possible). Factor in the kids, wife and stuff weight.

If ANY of the weight ratings are exceeded DO NOT take the rig out. It's OVERLOADED and DANGEROUS.

If everything turns out ok then load up the trailer using a scale to weigh everything. Keep within specs.


Based on how you load your trailer your tongue weight will vary. In any event tongue weight MUST NOT be less than 10% of trailer weight, I keep mine at about 12-14% depending on how I load. Again use a scale.

A Hitch equalizer is a must. When you apply the equalizer you want both the tow vehicle AND the trailer to end up level. You have to take measurements of both vehicles before hitching up and get the right ball mount (adjustable) set up for towing. level the trailer and measure from the ground to the inside of the ball coupler top. Then measure and adjust the ball mount to with a 1/2" or less on the low side.

Hitch up the van to the trailer and adjust the bars (lots of fun with crowbars here.....) until you get the trailer level or slightly nose down in pitch (this is where that 1/2" down comes in). Count links or put a dab of paint on the link that hooks up to the mount.


Run around the block and adjust the brakes, on the trailer (with controller).

Take your time, and enjoy.


Larry

 

Larry, thanks for the numbers. I just had my van weighed without gas & with me and the dog! It came in at 6,060 lbs. With the 12,000 lb (I assume total vehicle w/trailer fully loaded) less 6,060 equals 5,940 lbs. This should be more than enough for the trailer, stuff, fuel and rest of family. (small children, NO tv, No nintendo & probably not much water) Is my thinking correct on this? My rear end weight (according to the sticker) is 3,800 lbs. Lisa

 

Lisa, some more math:

6060# van, driver and dog
_108# for 18 gal gasoline
_175# another adult
_120# 2 kids
__50# 'stuff'
_460# tongue wt. of trailer
-------
6973# total laden weight of tow vehicle

Check the GVWR of your van. It should be placarded inside the driver's doorsill. Your GVWR should be over 6973# before you can consider safely towing that trailer. So even if you are under the 12,000# GCWR, you could still exceed the GVWR of the van.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-Feb-02 AT 08:47 PM (EST)]Thanks Horsepuller, I'm close. My GVWR is 7,000 pounds. I could also probably lose a 100 lbs. of stuff I was carrying around in the van. Anything else you can think of that I should consider. I want to be as safe as possible. Lisa

 

Lisa, like Larry said, an equalizing hitch and a good brake controller. If it's your first experience towing, just remember to give yourself more time to stop and go slower in bad weather.

Come back and share your towing experiences with us.

 

Horsepuller,

Good recommendation about the load equalizing hitch. However, those things are HEAVY. The adjustable height hitch with fittings for the equalizing bars is much heavier than a standard hitch. The equalizer bars, chains and mounts are also heavy.

So, if someone is near max weight with a normal hitch system and adds a load equalizing hitch, they may reduce the tongue load but could exceed their gross weight maximums.

Rich
F350V10

 

 

If you have one of those huge bed/seats in the rear of the van take it out . you'll save 100-150 lbs right there. You are traveling with 4 people only.