E-350 as a tow vehicle?

[BingCrosby]

We have a 2010 Ford E-350 (with the 5.4 L) as a tow vehicle. I've looked at the towing capacity and such online, but wanted to see who uses it as their tow vehicle, and also what is the weight of the travel trailer you pull with it. Just doing some research and wanting some firsthand feedback before we make a purchase. Thanks!

[TorivioTribe]

We have towed with our 1998 E350 cross country with no issues. We are a family of 10 (2 adults and 8 children), so we have very limited options for a tow vehicle. We come close to 10K fully loaded complete with bicycles for everyone loaded in the TT. Only time we had a "challenge" was driving up the grade from El Centro (Ocotillo) towards San Diego on I8. We were in a race up the hill against an 18 wheeler. Kids cheering on and the truck driver waving at them. Memories.... We now have a 2007 but still have the '98 around for emergencies.

[SprinklerMan]

I own a e 350 with the 5.4 , my work van , And a V 10 excursion . I have a 14 ft equip trailer maxed out at 7K lbs . The van pulls it very well , the ex does it way better . I would recommend either .

[Redterpos3]

Ours is a 2000 E-350 with v-10. We hang close to a 15,000 GCVW. Going great for 3 yeas so far. Bought the van new, but just started towing 3 yrs ago. The van has almost 160,000 miles, and it tows great. I'd dreaming about a truck someday, but I really, really like my van for a lot of reasons. It was great moving kids to college and back. Watched the folks with pickups tying down their cargo in the rain, and was always glad I had my van!!

[Ranger431]

I can attest to the fact that the Excursion is a great TV - been thrilled with its performance over several 35' TTs, and a smaller one.

I've never pulled with a E350, but came very close to buying one. Ultimately it came down to the fact that my wife didn't want to drive a "church van". But with 6 kids our choices for TVs is pretty limited. Obviously need a big TT, and seating for 8.

[BingCrosby]

True, the 350 van is newer by 10 years actually. It's a 2000 Excursion, but it is well maintained and he never towed with it. Although it does have the tow package. And I like that it has quite a bit more towing capacity.

[justafordguy]

I would opt for the V10 over a 5.4 any day for towing. The Excursion is also just as good a tow vehicle as an E350 for sure.

[APT]

A well maintained Excursion V10 would be great. Tow ratings are about 10k/12k depending on axle ratio. The newest one is 5 years older than the vehicle you originally mentioned, though.

[BingCrosby]

Thanks for the info so far. A friend has an Excursion for sale with the 6.8 V-10 engine. Only has 90,000 miles and he is asking a fair price. The Excursion has a tow rating of 10,000 if I recall. Obviously not great at gas mileage, but neither is a 350 while towing. We have the money to buy the Excursion. To pull a TT our size (30 feet, 7,000 plus loaded weight) would you guys opt for the Excursion over the 350 if you had a choice?

[APT]

Starlord's diesel has a lot more torque than the 5.4L to move 15k-ish pounds of GCW. Mountains are fine for the 5.4L, just do not expect to tow up them at 60mph. You have a good combo, enjoy. Use tow/haul mode for the trans if it has that. Flush all the fluids.

[noteven]

DutchmenSport wrote:

06Fargo wrote:
A dually is better yet

I like that! (and this coming from a die-hard Chevy guy!)

This camping season, I've seen more and more vans being used as tow vehicles for travel trailers. It looks kind of odd to me, but I'm old enough to remember my parents towing their camper with the family station-wagon too. Looking back, that seems odd to. But, really ... why not tow with a van! And that dually ... now I bet that would be REAL SWEET!

Link to kits

[starlord]

Mine is a 2005 Ford E350. I tow a 35ft. trailer weighing between 8700 and 9200 lbs. loaded. By the way, mine is a reworked, bullet proofed 6.0 diesel. I can travel at whatever speed I need, and that is normally 65mph, that's where it likes to run towing. I get 13mpg towing that size and weight. Oh, it also has a Livewire TS programmer and I tow with the 65 horsepower added towing mode. Mountains back in the east....W.V., Pennsylvania, etc. seem to be rough on anything, have more trouble back that direction than in Colorado for whatever reason.

[RVcircus]

Our plan is to replace our Suburban with a van when the time comes.

[Anmacc2]

Better to let it rev rather than lugg. Drop,it down to third or even second when necessary. You might need to let your speed drop a bit on the inclines. Don't overwork it trying to maintain. Watch your temperature gauge. If it's climbing it means it's working too hard. Drop it down a gear and rather than push it too hard. Consider 60 or 65 as your max speed. With a family of eight is is going to be very easy to accumulate weight! Be careful of that. I've learned.... It will take as long as it takes, burn whatever gas and oil it uses, and cost as much as it costs. It's the price you pay for fun and adventure!!! Be safe! Travel well!

[BingCrosby]

Our first trip is from Kansas City to Houston and then across to Florida. Fairly level that whole route so we should be good on that trip. I don't plan to go terribly far each day. Gonna take it easy and enjoy the scenery. My big concern is wear and tear on my tow vehicle if my TT is too heavy. Make sense?