Towing capacity question
Hi, experts, My wife and I are trying to decide between a Class C and a travel trailer. The key question is will our 2001 Ford E-150 van tow a travel trailer comfortably? Our van has a 5.4L V8...
Forum Discussion
PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:Payload sticker already accounts for a full tank of fuel. You do not need to subtract that.
Towing capacity for a truck/ van is more often limited by the carrying capacity than the tow 'capacity' or the GCWR.
Your van should have a max payload number on the door sticker. Take that weight, subtract the following:
1 - Weight of a full tank of fuel
2 - Weight of all the people who will be traveling in the vehicle
3 - Weight of any clothing or personal items they will carry in the vehicle
4 - Weight of any tools in the vehicle
5 - Weight of any camping gear, toys, etc you will put in the vehicle
6 - Weight of the vehicle weight distribution hitch
The number left is the amount of carrying capacity you have for the tongue weight of the trailer.
Many times vans end up with a negative carrying capacity even before the trailer tongue weight is added.
One thing which helps tremendously is if the transmission has a "Tow/Haul" mode that can be engaged. That does shifting on a different basis than regular travel. It makes a significant difference on wear and tear on the engine and transmission.
