Towing with E450

The 5 Star does control the shift points. Might even on flat ground give a bit more mileage. I have the scan gauge on the RV to monitor the trans and engine temps and so far everything has been in factory limits in climbs to 8000 plus pass and moderate outside temps for that altitude. I run that V10 hard just below red line just like I have on the diesels and every other RV, thats what the redline is for. Moderate to high RPM's is also the best cooling speed, usually just a bit under redline.

LEN

Ponderosa wrote:
It might do more but the high revving V10 sounds like it will explode so I hold back a bit with the foot. .

It wont explode. There really is no reason to hold back. You can even manually shift an let it hold an even faster RPM with zero problems.

I tow a Chevy Colorado with my E450. It weighs about 4K with the junk in the back that I take, maybe more. It pulls fine on grades up to about 6% which covers the freeways. It will slow down to 45-50. It might do more but the high revving V10 sounds like it will explode so I hold back a bit with the foot. The main problem going up the mountains is trucks. You can go much faster than they can, but too slow to get out in the passing lane without obstructing everyone. So sometimes you get stuck going 20 mph behind a semi for a few miles.

I'm not a Ford fan, but I have to admit that every time I drive the motorhome I am impressed by that V10 powertrain when I put my foot into it.

Interesting thread. My Jamboree is just under 30ft in length says it will tow 5k. I don't trust what RV salesman say. I would contact the MFG of the vehicle for towing specs.

We have a 12 winnebago aspect, I tow a 13 hyundai elantra. Care is just under 3000 lbs we dont carry a lot rv scales just 13000. I know the car is back there in the hills pretty much. went to flagstaff this past week and it struggled up the pull from black canyon and also mesa verde area. In denver it got down to 30 mph when we were there. Wolf creek pass a little more towards 45. I dont care for the electric throttle stuff but there is nothing that can be done.. The 5 star works pretty good civilizes the engine so that it just doesnt run away to 5000 rpm and lets ya have some throttle control. also help maintain shift points. Yes I would recommend one.

I would think anything heavier will be very noticeable with the 6.8. BP Diesel has a paddle kit that mounts on gear shift lever like the little sporty cars have, supposed to open up the trans to all its speeds vs the few on the stick. Might be interesting as the diesels have good reviews on them.. guess it mounts to the obd port which them takes away from monitoring stuff like a scan gage.

watch out how the hitch is mounted. the one on my E450 my is half ass welded 3' behind the chassis frame, about the only thing I can tow is my utility trailer or hitch mounted bike rack. my e350 van with a proper installed hitch is rated for 10k.

OLYLEN wrote:
I do run the 5 Star Tune, give an xtra 40HP and 40# torque.LEN

I've been interested in 5 Star as well, but haven't seen results from OP's with the 4-speed (4R100) transmission. More HP and Torque is always nice, but what I want to know is about the management of the Transmission! Running along the FL coast on the interstate using Cruise Control... Flat as can be... It'll downshift on every overpass. Doesn't even begin to take advantage of the engine's power, just kicks down. I find it easier to drive, overall, NOT using Cruise. But I have to anticipate every grade and build speed before I get to it.

So... Does 5 Star make the transmission any better, especially in Cruise?

OLYLEN wrote:
... I do run the 5 Star Tune, give an xtra 40HP and 40# torque...

Never heard of the 5 Star Tune, but did a little checking after reading here. Sounds interesting! Does it affect the manufacturer's warranty in any way?

j-d wrote:
... so, again "officially" you could go to 7500 pounds towed. Equinox is a little over that, so again "on paper" you're good. ...

The 4040 lb is actual scale weight for our Equinox, as loaded for towing, so we should be well within limits.

Rating-wise, if you have a current model E450, you can "officially" load it to a scale weight of 45,500 pounds. Ford rates the combination at 22,000 pounds, so, again "officially" you could go to 7500 pounds towed. Equinox is a little over that, so again "on paper" you're good.

This is my experience. We run an E450 that's just a pinch under 14,000 with us and "stuff" for a trip. So 8,000 pounds left for towing. My Nissan Frontier weighs about the spec for your 'Nox. That's actual scale weight. I decided to rig our Corolla for towing and saved about 1,000 pounds.

So for me, and we haven't been West... 8,000 or not, I wouldn't want to tow more than the Frontier, the 'Nox.

But accept this Ford V10 Advice: Let it REV! It's built to do it and that's where it gets its job done. Try to lug your way along and you'll be disappointed.