Want to start off on the right foot

6door74 wrote:
....We purchased a 2006 ford e350 with the V10 and 4.10 gears. ...55k miles....factory towing package....towing max is 10,000 with the correct hitch..

1. What should I do to the van in the meantime mechanically? New fluids? Change spark plugs or other routine maintenance items? Items I should have a mechanic check for and repair/replace as needed?

Simple stuff is really all you need to do right now if there are no check engine lights or outstanding problems
--new transmission filter and fluid. DO NOT do a 'power flush'. Just drop the tranny pan, replace the filter, and refill to the correct fluid level.
--Have the brake lines flushed. That is a service 90% of people don't ever think about. Brake fluid collects moisture and contaminants over time and becomes less efficient. Doing a complete flush pushes out the old fluid, bleeds the system, and refills with new.
--I think those are supposed to be 100,000 mile spark plugs so changing those probably aren't necessary
--Fuel filter. If this vehicle has an in-line fuel filter you should change that.

6door74 wrote:
2. Suggestions on a weight distribution hitch. (That doesn't meant i change the factory ford hitch does it?).

I used a Reese Dual Cam WD hitch for 11 years and it worked like a charm. I would suggest that hitch or one similar with 'built-in' sway control. Equal-Izer is another really good one. Your OEM receiver will work just fine with any of them.

6door74 wrote:
3. I like my cars "customized" but I can't go too crazy with this one as far as wheels go. Can anyone suggest some nice shiny wheels that will still be good for the towing task?

Do you have the same bolt pattern as the F250/F350 trucks? If so, maybe you can get some nice looking OEM wheels from a salvage yard?

6door74 wrote:
4. Any performance/efficiency mods I should do to the van? To gain power or be more fuel efficient?

That's a good tow vehicle. With 4.10 gears and the V10 there isn't much to do for enhanced towing performance. Fuel economy? Keep your foot lightly on the go pedal. I wouldn't bother with programmers or any other stuff like that.

6door74 wrote:
5. And just confirm something as I look for our trailer. If the gvwr weight of the trailer is 9500lbs, then that's the number that means I'm good at because it's less than 10,000?

Also watch the GVWR of the van. You can exceed that value with trailers less than 10Klbs.

Does the van already have a trailer brake controller? If not, you'll need to install an aftermarket unit. The Tekonsha Prodigy P2 and Prodigy P3 are both very good controllers. I used a P2 for 11 years with my old truck and it provided smooth, consistent trailer braking with no issues at all.

KJ