Forum Discussion

ugh's avatar
ugh
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016

Towing the cmper with E350?

I have a 15 year old truck. My wife and I are talking about replacing it with something little newer and lower mileage. Most importantly, we want something with side curtain air bags to protect our kids.

As we started to look for another newer super duty trucks or other heavy duty trucks, the used one are so expensive and it is very hard to find non diesel heavy duty truck that was not owned by a company or used as a work truck. If there is a 2013 F250 gas truck with 60k miles, its still worth over 30K. :(

I saw several few years old E350 for like around $15k - $18K. Wow, that is a lot cheaper than trucks. E350 has GVWR of 8,900 pounds and it can tow up to 7,400 pounds. Plenty for my camper as long I don't load it to the max weight which is 7,650 pounds. My current truck can only two up to 7,500 pounds anyway.

So, am I being stupid to consider E350?
Tow Vehicles

14 Replies

  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2016
    jerem0621 wrote:

    Properly equipped the 6.0 Express/Savanna can tow up to 10,000 lbs...they are very competent tow vehicles and IMHO they drive very very nice.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah


    Watch out! They use the same trickery as SUVs to come up with that number.

    The important number is 16,000 GCWR with the 6.0 engine. In the wagons that effectively leaves 9500 pounds towing capacity if you carry zero passengers. 10,000 pounds is only possible in a completely empty cargo van. Which is different from how Ford rated the E350 vans, which could tow 10,000 with a full passenger load.
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Feb 07, 2016
    ugh wrote:
    ktosv wrote:
    ugh wrote:
    My wife and I went out to check a 2009 E350. We liked everything about it except that it has no curtain air bags


    If you aren't apposed to an Express or Savana, side curtain air bags were standard on their vans since at least 2010.

    The 6.0L and 6 speed combination is a very competent powertrain.

    The standard safety features (Air bags, traction/stability control, Onstar) were one of the main reason we went with an Express nearly four years ago.


    No, I am not opposed to Chevy. The last time I checked, it did not have good towing capacity. I will double check now.


    Properly equipped the 6.0 Express/Savanna can tow up to 10,000 lbs...they are very competent tow vehicles and IMHO they drive very very nice.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • ugh's avatar
    ugh
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2016
    ktosv wrote:
    ugh wrote:
    My wife and I went out to check a 2009 E350. We liked everything about it except that it has no curtain air bags


    If you aren't apposed to an Express or Savana, side curtain air bags were standard on their vans since at least 2010.

    The 6.0L and 6 speed combination is a very competent powertrain.

    The standard safety features (Air bags, traction/stability control, Onstar) were one of the main reason we went with an Express nearly four years ago.


    No, I am not opposed to Chevy. The last time I checked, it did not have good towing capacity. I will double check now.
  • ktosv's avatar
    ktosv
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2016
    ugh wrote:
    My wife and I went out to check a 2009 E350. We liked everything about it except that it has no curtain air bags


    If you aren't apposed to an Express or Savana, side curtain air bags were standard on their vans since at least 2010.

    The 6.0L and 6 speed combination is a very competent powertrain.

    The standard safety features (Air bags, traction/stability control, Onstar) were one of the main reason we went with an Express nearly four years ago.
  • ugh's avatar
    ugh
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2016
    Thanks for all your input. My wife and I went out to check a 2009 E350. We liked everything about it except that it has no curtain air bags. :( I was so disappointed because it would had suit us perfectly. I checked the internet, Ford never added side curtain airbags until 2015 Transit. pfft.
  • fitznj's avatar
    fitznj
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2016
    I've towed with vans for >20 years. I love them. I have always purchased the passenger van with side windows, seats and a finished interior. I remove the rear most seats to give me 8ft of cargo space. Lots of LOCKABLE storage space for bicycles/toys......

    I've had 3 Checvy's. My current one is a 3500 Express - the best van so far. Great engine, great transmission and great brakes. I tow a 6000 lb TT but it's max is close to 10,000 lbs (I think).
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Feb 04, 2016
    I too miss my Dodge conv. van! love all the room and the feeling of a small RV while you`re towing your TT.
  • LarryJM's avatar
    LarryJM
    Explorer II
    Feb 03, 2016
    Anmacc2 wrote:
    I've driven and towed with vans since 1977. 3 of them E350s, one was a Chevy Express 3500. All were great. Currently have the E350 pulling a 25 ft Keystone. We've towed all over the USA and Canada. I much prefer a van to a pickup. Plenty of passenger and/or cargo room.


    Same here but with a 1979 E-250 w/460 and the current one in my signature. Don't know what I would do if I ever had to replace my current Van since new Van options are a dying breed.

    Larry
  • Anmacc2's avatar
    Anmacc2
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2016
    I've driven and towed with vans since 1977. 3 of them E350s, one was a Chevy Express 3500. All were great. Currently have the E350 pulling a 25 ft Keystone. We've towed all over the USA and Canada. I much prefer a van to a pickup. Plenty of passenger and/or cargo room.

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