Towing with a Van

jerem0621 wrote:
MCSurveyor, thank you for the info on the Express van a tow rating. We were pretty shocked at the MPG the 2013 E-350 5.4 was pulling down compared to the 2002 Express we were use too. That Express Van had a 350 V8 and a 4L80E transmission and pulled down about 12 mpg. The E350 pulled down 16 on the interstate which I thought was great for a one ton van. But it has a 5.4 and a Four speed transmission. I think the tow rating is only 7400 lbs. the payload is huge though.

I will be checking out the Express with the 6.0 though. I like the features in the express, like rear passenger entry doors on both sides and when you remove the seats for cargo use the floor is flat.

The E350 had the passenger side exit only and the seat brackets are left above the floor when you remove the seats. If we go for a van it will be the short wheel base.

Thanks!

The Express 6.0/6-speed combo is head and shoulders above the Ford 5.4/4-speed combo. A lot more power, better mileage, more towing and weight capacity. Also, on the wheelbase discussion, longer wheelbase is certainly helpful in towing, but it's not the end all, be all. Case in point, we've towed our trailer with a Chevy 1500 PU with airbags and WDH that had a 6 inch longer wheelbase than our 1-ton van. The truck was not "unstable" by any means, but the van is more stable even without the WDH. Credit probably goes to heavier suspension bits, LT tires, etc...

Like I said, the only Ford E-series that would "beat" the Express is the V10/4.10 E350, and with that, you're pretty much throwing gas mileage out the window.

Express - 324 HP, 373 ft/lbs, 9800 lbs towing
E350 - 255 HP, 350 ft/lbs, 6700 lbs towing

mcsurveyor wrote:
I'm towing with the 1-ton Chevy Express in my sig, and I'd suggest skipping by the 3/4 ton and going straight to the 1-ton. The 6.0 6-speed combo makes good power for towing and get's 17-19 mpg empty, which is fantastic compared to any other gas 1-ton vehicle. You can also get a Duramax diesel in the Express, for a large chunk of change. If you're looking at Ford, skip the extended version as it adds the length behind the rear axle, not ideal for towing. There's actually only one version of the Ford E-series that beats the Express in payload and towing, and it's the V10 with the 4.10 axle. You sacrifice gas mileage to get that title though.

Do not overlook a 2500 with the 4.8 engine and the 6-speed auto. I drove one from Fall River to Pittsfield and back (half empty, half carrying about 1200lbs of stuff) and the thing managed an honest 21MPG! The 6-speed is great...65MPH was only about 1800RPM. For all towing...yeah, go 6.0 and 3500. But for a commuter/puller, I'd go 4.8 power.

jerem0621 wrote:
Thanks everyone,

Larry, did they put the 7.3 in passenger vans? That would be a nice daily driver and towing rig.

Yes...my friend's father has one...1996 E350XL, 12-passenger, short-overhang. He expects to turn 500,000 miles this year, probably towing his Argosy.

The 7.3 PSD vans ran 1995-2003.

Vans have grown longer. The Dodge vans used to come in 109 and 127 inch wheelbases. My 2010 Chevy short wheelbase is 135". FYI the Chevy passenger vans come with seat mounting rails above the metal floor and have about 2" of carpet padding to make the floor relatively flat. The rails were a ***** to remove so I could put down a Vanrug carpet and make the entire floor was solid carpet. The 6.0L engine with the 6 speed trans is great!

APT wrote:
I meant a cargo van is not a good place to start for hauling 8 people.

The longer wheelbase of the 3/4 ton Suburban is not what makes it that much more stable. It's the chassis/payload as well as more powerful drivetrains over half tons that make it stable. 130" wheelbase is relatively short compared to any pickup except regular cabs with 6.5' beds. Half ton extended cab 6.5' bed half tons have 8-15" longer wheelbases than the Suburban, yet less stable towing 8000+ pound RVs.

Thanks for the info. I had just met an RV'er using a Suburban as a TV in a CG where I was hanging my head over the Tahoe *****ing and moaning about it and he said had I bought the Burb I wouldn't be having as bad a trip! :B:B

Sure wish there was a culmination of all the wisdom/ecperience found here about TV's so that all the newbies could read and be INFORMED when they walked in that Truck or Car dealership to buy their first TV.

For me, I stuffed that Tahoe in storage after two camping trips sold the TT and bought a MH. Maybe it was the road I needed to go down to end up in a MH. I'm happy. :C

I meant a cargo van is not a good place to start for hauling 8 people.

The longer wheelbase of the 3/4 ton Suburban is not what makes it that much more stable. It's the chassis/payload as well as more powerful drivetrains over half tons that make it stable. 130" wheelbase is relatively short compared to any pickup except regular cabs with 6.5' beds. Half ton extended cab 6.5' bed half tons have 8-15" longer wheelbases than the Suburban, yet less stable towing 8000+ pound RVs.

Heads-up on the 5.4L Fords flooding the market from rental and fleet turn-ins: The 5.4 in an E350 for 2011 and 2012 were only rated to tow 6700lbs in 12-passenger configuration (i.e. in a standard length... Extended length drops 200lbs from the ratings). Sadly, IMHO, that's nowhere near enough for a family of 8 plus a 6000lb+ trailer.

Look for a V-10 if you decide to go with a Ford. It automatically bumps the rating up to 8500 with the 3.73 rear end, and 10,000 with the 4.10 rear end.

Conversion vans can be ordered on any weight chassis. I don't think dealers stock conversion vans much anymore, so it would probably be special order anyways.

One note on the GM vans.... "tow rating" is not calculated the same as the Ford vans, so ignore that number. Shop by GCWR instead to get a better comparison.

APT wrote:
Thousands of 3/4 ton Suburban/Yukon XL owners would disagree as they tow 35' TTs with their 130" wheelbase.

The Suburban has a LONGER wheel base than a Tahoe. If you are smart enough to know that. Many do not even think to ask what the wheel base is when buying an SUV. Yes a Suburban makes a big difference in towing capabilities because it has a longer wheel base than a Tahoe.
As I hit MY head over and over and over for buying the Tahoe instead of the Suburban,
when I had my first TT.

I don't think I have ever seen a conversion van based on 3/4 and 1-ton chassis, .....

Most conversions ARE 3/4 ton. Don't know what the brand new ones are. "Full" size Conversion vans have lost their popularity so maybe they don't stock 3/4 ton and 1 tons anymore on the lots anymore.

My first 2 conversions that were high tops where both 3/4 ton. And I also owned a 1-ton.

APT wrote:
Cargo van - not a good idea

That's just your opinion. Our cargo van has worked well for us for 12 years.

Saved us from storing and then moving to a new house and storing the bench seats
Comes standard with rubber mat flooring
Easier to clean out the van after hauling hay
The extra few inches of head height without the ceiling vents is helpful in stacking dog crates

to list a few benefits