Want to start off on the right foot
Hello all,
My wife and i are starting to work our way into the "RV" lifestyle. It will only be part time but I intend to get out as much as possible. Even if only for the weekend a short distance away.
I originally wanted to buy a travel trailer I could tow with my ford flex. Needless to say, after seeing that size trailer in person (and at the persuasion of the salesperson) we decided bigger would be better. We're a family of 5 but 2 of our kids are now "adults" in college. I don't know how much time we'll still get with them on vacations, but we still want something that sleeps approx 10 people. We intend on our trailer being a family trailer to include nieces and nephews.
With that said, we kept going bigger and bigger and now I'm looking at travel trailers that are about 30' at least. Considering that we'll have extended family in the trailer, we decided to go with a van. That way we can all most likely ride in 1 vehicle. We purchased a 2006 ford e350 with the V10 and 4.10 gears. From everything I've read, it's a beast for towing and a bigger beast at the gas pumps. It has 55k miles and will be solely a tow vehicle and on the rare occasion, if he need that much space to transport people. I have the factory towing package and from what I've read, my towing max is 10,000 with the correct hitch. We don't have a trailer yet as we wanted to have a tow vehicle 1st so we could know our capabilities.
Ideally, we'll be buying a trailer early next year. In the meantime, i want to get the van ready along with any and all accessories/components we need. That way I can manage costs better and make sure we have everything. With that said,I have a few questions...
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?Suggestions appreciated.
2. Suggestions on a weight distribution hitch. (That doesn't meant i change the factory ford hitch does it?) I know there will be many opinions on this but I'm open to hearing them. Especially if someone has 1st hand knowledge of it being used with the e350.
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?
4. Any performance/efficiency mods I should do to the van? To gain power or be more fuel efficient?
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? I know there's some minor things that can change that but i don't anticipate maxing out the load capacity of the van. So if that's the case, then I'm good, right?
Sorry for the long introduction post but any help will be appreciated. I look forward to soon being able to post a picture of my rig. Until then, I'll just keep browsing and soaking up all the info I can.
My wife and i are starting to work our way into the "RV" lifestyle. It will only be part time but I intend to get out as much as possible. Even if only for the weekend a short distance away.
I originally wanted to buy a travel trailer I could tow with my ford flex. Needless to say, after seeing that size trailer in person (and at the persuasion of the salesperson) we decided bigger would be better. We're a family of 5 but 2 of our kids are now "adults" in college. I don't know how much time we'll still get with them on vacations, but we still want something that sleeps approx 10 people. We intend on our trailer being a family trailer to include nieces and nephews.
With that said, we kept going bigger and bigger and now I'm looking at travel trailers that are about 30' at least. Considering that we'll have extended family in the trailer, we decided to go with a van. That way we can all most likely ride in 1 vehicle. We purchased a 2006 ford e350 with the V10 and 4.10 gears. From everything I've read, it's a beast for towing and a bigger beast at the gas pumps. It has 55k miles and will be solely a tow vehicle and on the rare occasion, if he need that much space to transport people. I have the factory towing package and from what I've read, my towing max is 10,000 with the correct hitch. We don't have a trailer yet as we wanted to have a tow vehicle 1st so we could know our capabilities.
Ideally, we'll be buying a trailer early next year. In the meantime, i want to get the van ready along with any and all accessories/components we need. That way I can manage costs better and make sure we have everything. With that said,I have a few questions...
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?Suggestions appreciated.
2. Suggestions on a weight distribution hitch. (That doesn't meant i change the factory ford hitch does it?) I know there will be many opinions on this but I'm open to hearing them. Especially if someone has 1st hand knowledge of it being used with the e350.
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?
4. Any performance/efficiency mods I should do to the van? To gain power or be more fuel efficient?
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? I know there's some minor things that can change that but i don't anticipate maxing out the load capacity of the van. So if that's the case, then I'm good, right?
Sorry for the long introduction post but any help will be appreciated. I look forward to soon being able to post a picture of my rig. Until then, I'll just keep browsing and soaking up all the info I can.
