Towing Vehicle question

Would we do better to get a Class C MH and tow the 15 passenger van?
Most places we go, we would not need the van (weekend camping trips and such we'd be fine with just the RV) but when we travel out of state, we really would need a way to transport all 9 of us in one vehicle.

Trying to think how to make this RV thing work.

My 2013 E-350 regular length scales at around 5500, so you might be underestimating that. You need a better handle on what you ate loading into the van, and think about the loaded weight of the trailer, rather than an advertised dry weight.

I agree. I think you'll have to settle for a much lighter camper than you might think. You might consider a hybrid trailer, especially a bunk bed model. The tented bed ends help reduce some trailer weight while still giving you added sleeping room.

My 2013 E-350 regular length scales at around 5500, so you might be underestimating that. You need a better handle on what you ate loading into the van, and think about the loaded weight of the trailer, rather than an advertised dry weight.

You'll have plenty of payload for the family and a decent size TT but I think you're pushing it with 6K dry.

The E350 shows a max tow rating of 7500lbs. That number is for an empty van apart from 150lbs for a driver. Any weight added to the van reduces your tow rating by the same. If you add 1k of passengers and gear to the van then your max TT weight is now 6500lbs LOADED. A 6k dry TT will easily weigh 7500+lbs once options are added and it's packed with gear for 9 people. That's asking a lot from the 5.4l engine, especially if you're going to be in the mountains.

Another issue is the GCWR that you list. If you estimate that the van weighs 7k and the GCWR is 13k then your max trailer in that case is 6K LOADED not dry.

Best place to start is to load the family in the van and head to the nearest truck scale and get some accurate weights.