Family of six looking for tow vehicle

carringb wrote:
If you can wait another 6 months, the new Transit van should be on sale. It keeps getting pushed back though while Ford tries to keep up with F150 demand (they share the same plant).

The Transit drives more car-like than the E-series, and payload goes up to 5500 pounds. They will have 7 different body sizes available. The smallest will be about the same footprint as a 1/2-ton SUV, while the largest will have double the volume of an E-series.

Either the 3.5L EcoBoost or the baby-Powerstroke would be a good match for a family pulling a mid-size tailer.

Are they not on sale yet? I saw one last weekend driving around town. Looked nice.

WOW a 3/4 ton should have 3/4 * 2000 = 1500 lbs payload. Are those numbers right? I thought the GWVR on the 250 was 9200 lbs.

Fourkidletts wrote:
By the way, I found out my current 2005 minivan has a greater payload than the expy el. And we weigh this thing way down in trips. Infuriating!

Crazy right?

Here's a good one for you: my 2007 Volvo XC90 V8, at 1350lb, has exactly the same payload as the 2002 F250 CC/SB 4x4 7.3L diesel (8800lb GVW - 7450lb curb = 1350lb) I owned!

Fourkidletts wrote:
Wow! Such great responses! I'm going to sit down with my husband and go through them. Our oldest son is developmentally disabled and with us for the long haul, and my college daughter shows no signs of leaving the nest anytime soon. Plus a middle schooler and high schooler, we are looking at something to haul us all around for at least a few more years. We were shying away from a truck because as someone mentioned, 6 people on a trip is a bit cozy! This will be our family vehicle on every trip, with or without a TT. And I found a 2012 expedition EL with 25k miles on it for only 26k which is very much in our price range. Suburbans not so affordable. Thanks for all the responses!

I would go full size van. Plenty of room, lots of payload. Kids can even bring a friend or two along. Vans drop value like it's going out of style. You can buy a 2 year old van with average mileage for 50% of new.

carringb wrote:
If you can wait another 6 months, the new Transit van should be on sale. It keeps getting pushed back though while Ford tries to keep up with F150 demand (they share the same plant).

The Transit drives more car-like than the E-series, and payload goes up to 5500 pounds. They will have 7 different body sizes available. The smallest will be about the same footprint as a 1/2-ton SUV, while the largest will have double the volume of an E-series.

Either the 3.5L EcoBoost or the baby-Powerstroke would be a good match for a family pulling a mid-size tailer.

I looked at the Ford link regarding this van and the capability details regarding towing didn't seem to be there. I could of missed it...I'm not the best with computers.

I was interested in seeing the towing ratings, tire/wheel/load ratings, power/torque of the two gas engines and that...to me is the very interesting 3.2 liter 5cyl diesel...if I've read that right.

I'm assuming that the large Ford Transit is RWD.

At this point it's too new (know it's in Europe) in North America...for me... to see how it does.
I'm hoping to see how the first couple of years go with this van. I know that the Sprinter up here (my observations) seems to have some rust issues in the side panels....which make me pause about the Sprinter.

But these new style Euro style vans (Ford, Sprinter, Fiat Ducato) are an exciting development and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.

BTW I've had a lot of van experience...with both Ford full size (E 100, 150, 250, 300, 350....SRW, DRW)and GM...personal vehicle for many years was Chevy Astro mid size RWD van.

My view is that RWD vans....like comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say...don't get any respect.:) Many perceive them as not 'glamorous' like their pickup brethren and fail to recognize just how good these work focused, commercial trucks are and can be...with the right options.

I had heard it was coming back in 2015, but no mention on the GM website as of yesterday. I am guessing the popularity of the crew cab pickup killed the HD SUV market. Probably not enough demand left to justify a separate 2500 model at the SUV plant. Mine is getting to be a like a 4-leaf clover.....

APT wrote:
GM is redesigning its SUVs for 2015 as well. If they follow a similar path as the 2014 half ton pickups, payload and towing capacity will improve. I just hope the receiver gets a higher limit as well. Good luck on your journey!

I keep reading that there will not be a 2500 version? Any one see different yet?

2015 Ford Transit
I like the 6 speed transmission that can be manually shifted (via paddles), and the option for passenger AND driver side sliding doors.

Wow, I didn't know Ford had plans for a full size Transit van, and that payload is no joke either. I have been seeing the smaller TransitConnects popular with light duty trades like alarm companies, home inspectors, locksmiths, etc, where they don't haul a lot of heavy supplies or equipment.

GM is redesigning its SUVs for 2015 as well. If they follow a similar path as the 2014 half ton pickups, payload and towing capacity will improve. I just hope the receiver gets a higher limit as well. Good luck on your journey!