Large family tow vehicle

[Markl_n]

We are a family of 8 and cannot stay within the gvw of our 07 expedition with hd tow package. Any advice for large families. Does anyone take two vehicles when the travel, one for towing the other for family? currently looking at 3/4 ton suburban, or an Excursion. Looking at our first TT, a Jayco 284bhsw, 6000lb dry with a 710lb hitch weight. I'm new to all this, and i'm just looking for a tow vehicle that can hopefully fit my family, and safely get us down the road not feeling underpowered. We are a family that loves to travel, and loves the mountains. Just interested in doing it from a campsite, and not a Marriott. Thanks

[RoyJ]

carringb wrote:
Max towing is only 4,000 pounds.

I looked it up, and it's actually only 3000 :E

Willing to bet it's strictly marketing / lawyer limited, so fleet owners don't crash towing 10k lbs and sue GM.

It's got a superior frame to the 3500 van, and the same powertrain / axle. No reason why it can't tow 8000+ lbs, considering its massive 4400 lbs payload.

[carringb]

RoyJ wrote:
One option that hasn't been mentioned is the new Suburban 3500. Though you'll need a fleet account to buy one.

With 4000 lbs of payload, you can have a family of sumo wrestlers and still tow a 1500 lbs tongue weight trailer!

Won't win any races with the 6.0 and 6L90, but it'll get you there.

Max towing is only 4,000 pounds.

[Lessmore]

carringb wrote:

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Ford has not made a cargo/passenger van based on the E-series chassis for several years.

2014 was the last year. Still plenty of like-new used vans coming off lease, but it is getting very hard to find V10s.

Carringb, I have read with interest over the years, your well informed views on traditional heavy duty vans, such as the Econoline E 350 and GM 3500 series and your Ford E 350 van. Years ago, I drove many a commercial Econoline E 300's, E 350 cab and chassis with mounted box, etc. and have nothing but the highest regard for these tough workhorses.

My question (curiosity on my part):) though is that as we all know, vehicles eventually wear out. What plans for replacement do you have when your E series has done as much as it can and needs to be retired ? If that point comes when it is difficult to find a viable heavy duty Econoline to replace it with...what other make, model, type of vehicle would you replace it with ?

[RoyJ]

One option that hasn't been mentioned is the new Suburban 3500. Though you'll need a fleet account to buy one.

With 4000 lbs of payload, you can have a family of sumo wrestlers and still tow a 1500 lbs tongue weight trailer!

Won't win any races with the 6.0 and 6L90, but it'll get you there.

[normal_dave]

Dohh! I never bothered to pursue the 7 lug question...Those are just the factory wheel covers. But is does beg the question...Ford, what were you thinking? I've seen them for years, never bothered to count the fake lug nuts.

Ford lists them as 16" Sport wheel covers. page 10 of this brochure:
2003 E-series brochure

Decoding this van's VIN reveals a Dana rear axle rated at 6,340 LBS.
3.73
Less Rear Axle Limited Slip Diff
With Dana Axle
6340 LB(2876 KG) Rear Axle Assy


Ford Fleet mentions this axle:
Semi-Floating, Dana
9.75”
2003 e-series wagon specs

[All_I_could_aff]

As far as I know, the 7 lug axle never made it into the E350, and I have worked on many and owned several. They did however use the 7 lug wheel cover on many 8 lug trucks, such as my own 2006 12 passenger E350, and my bosses 2007 15 passenger

[Grit_dog]

blt2ski wrote:
Ford has had 7 lug axles on the 8400gvw badged 25/35 series rigs and up for a few years

Hard to tell if those are just hubcaps off a light duty 250 or if Ford actually offered a E350 with the little 9.25 semi floater axle. If they did, it's got a weak rawr for a 350.

[sgip2000]

gbopp wrote:
Have you considered a full-size van?

And birth control? 😄

[blt2ski]

Ford has had 7 lug axles on the 8400gvw badged 25/35 series rigs and up for a few years

[normal_dave]

Something a little "odd" about that...

[garyp4951]

Nice van, but I have never seen a 7 lug rear axle.

[normal_dave]

So I'm guessing the OP has come up with a solution by now, but if not, this should do the trick:
V-10, 3.73, E-350 Chateau Package-7 passenger w/4 captains chairs factory receiver hitch, brake controller...
2003 E-350 V-10 Chateau Van

15,000LB GCWR, swap in 4.10 gears and you're at 18,500! One owner Carfax, low miles, kinda pricey, but it's been up for sale a long time.

So, would somebody go buy this thing so I'll quit drooling over it? TIA.

Edit: gone from the dealer site today (6/23) what a relief! Hope one of "us" went and got it!:B

[BurbMan]

2005 was the last year for the Excursion, so the newest one you can find will be 12 years old. The 2500 Suburban was available until 2013 with the 6.0L gas, 1007 was the last year for the 8.1L. Just put some more work into mine, going to keep it for a while longer.

[APT]

theoldwizard1 wrote:

My daughter has a '12 Expedition EL. We frequently use it to haul 4 adults and 4 kids (under 8 years old), fairly comfortably.

Properly equipped, a 2017 Expedition EL will tow 9,200 lbs with GCWR of 15,000 lbs.

I suspect the 2018, with the aluminum body, will bump both of those numbers.

Those tow ratings are useless for family RVing. When loaded up with 8 people, no half ton SUV has enough paylaod to support the tongue weight of even a modest TT. 1500 pounds of payload (if you're fortunate) with 1000 pounds of people and cargo means 500 left before GVWR is exceeded.