Towing Capacity

MarkV · Mar 20, 2002

I need some help from those of you who understand trailer towing. I have done very little and can’t figure the towing capacity of my van. The owner’s manual shows some charts that might as well be written in Greek to me.

The van is an E250 Ford with a 5.4 V8. I ordered it from the factory and added all the heavy-duty options available. Heavy spring package, cooling package, 3.73 limited slip rear gear, E range tires. I did not get a towing package, per say, because the only difference I could see was an expensive horn (go figure) and the receiver hitch. When the time came to need one I figured I could put my own receiver hitch on.

I am considering a trailer and don’t want to over or under buy. Any help would be appreciated.

MarkV

AndyR · Mar 20, 2002

What are you going to be towing?

RobS · Mar 20, 2002

Mark, you'll need to check your doorjamb sticker that lists weights and your owners manual (or manufacturer site/phone number). The doorjamb will likely list GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) which is your van alone. There should be a table in the owners manual for GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating). This table will require you to know the axle code which should also be on the door jamb decal. GCVWR is dependant on transmission and axle ratios. If you are really serious about it make note of your axle ratings on the same door jamb decal. Once you have all the ratings, do a little math and figure what you can tow. You'll need to estimate your trailer weight (trailer and load)and tongue weight. I did all this when we bought our fifth wheel camper a few years ago. Final check was to actually weight it all at a truck stop (axle by axle, entire rig and truck only). As long as you don't exceed any of the individual ratings (axles, vehicle, combined), you'll be fine.

Let me know if you need any more info. There is also a lot of towing discussion on a couple of RV forums I visit /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

dmccarty · Mar 20, 2002

Mark,

Check out the towing section on <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ford-diesel.com>http://www.ford-diesel.com</A>.

Get a six pack and start reading. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I thought pulling a trailer was "easy" and simple. I did not realize
all of the different options out there....

The one item that seems to get alot of the pickup truck owners is the
GCVW and the GVW. Ford has some pretty bad towing charts that
lead people to believe they can haul 20,000 pounds behind there
F250s. The limit that gets them is the GVW of the vehicle. I'm not
sure how confusing the charts are for the vans.

Once the tongue wieght is added to the truck they will have exceeded
the GVW of the vehicle but they might be "only" pulling a 15,000 pound
trailer. Ford says they can pull another 5,000 pounds. Actually Ford
puts a little footnote that is hard to see, yada yada yada.

The towing section on the reference website talks about this all the time
but also gets into PullRite and Hensley hitches, Weight Distributing hitches,
etc. Its very informative. Its a pretty good site but a bit more rambuctious
than TBN.

Hope this helps...
Dan McCarty

RobS · Mar 20, 2002

<font color=blue>Its a pretty good site but a bit more rambuctious
than TBN.</font color=blue>

Ya got that right Dan! My truck is gas but I visit that site occasionally for non-engine related things. There is also the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ford-trucks.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi>Ford Truck Enthusiasts </A> site. It can get pretty lively as well. Not much out there with the demeanor of TBN /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

RanchMan · Mar 20, 2002

MarkV-

Several things to consider getting depending on how serious you are...

1) Size of your hitch - Even if you aren't going to pull something that would "require" a class IV, I prefer it for a safety margin if nothing else. (I require it though as I go over 5000# often)

Class III 3,501 - 5,000 lbs. GTW 350 - 500 lbs. TW
Class IV 5,001 - 10,000 lbs. GTW 500 - 1,000 lbs. TW

You can use this to see what will fit your van (Draw-Tite hitches)
http://www.draw-tite.com/

2) SERIOUSLY consider a sway control bar. It will keep your tail end from oscillating at highway speeds. About $100, but VERY worth it.

(use the same link above & look under "weight distributing")

3) Helper springs - Not sure how your van will do, but I installed an air-bag based system on our Dodge Durango (Heavy-duty tow pkg, 4x4, 5.9, class 4, etc.). A BIG help. Helps level the vehicle considerably (remember, TW can go to 1000# on a class 4). Installed myself - came with it's own onboard air compressor - just push the button till you get the vehicle level.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.airliftcompany.com/indexALframe.htm>http://www.airliftcompany.com/indexALframe.htm</A>

Hope this helps!

MarkV · Mar 20, 2002

Thank you everyone. Between the education you gave me, the owners manual and the factory order form I think I have it figured out. The GVWR is 8600 lbs. The GAWR is 3700 lbs. front and 5120 lbs. rear. This is from the tag on the door jam. The GCWR is 13000 lbs and the max trailer weight is 7500 lbs. I do need to have the truck weighted with its normal load but it looks like I am safe with a 7000 lbs capacity trailer. That should work fine for my Kubota B21 which weighs about 4300 lbs. with loaded tires.

What does become obvious is you have to get into a serious vehicle (expensive) to haul something in the 10 to 12 thousand pound range. I have been considering a Kubota L48 which would push 9000 lbs with loaded tires and require a 12,000 lbs rated trailer. I understand that this requires different class license, but what is a bigger concern is the vehicle you would need to haul it. This is something I will have to consider before buying a new tractor.

Thank you again for the help.

MarkV

CVHoss · Mar 20, 2002

<font color=red>looks like I am safe with a 7000 lbs capacity trailer. That should work fine for my Kubota B21 which weighs about 4300 lbs. with loaded tires</font color=red>

Mark,
Just don't forget to add the weight of the trailer itself and any implement you may have on the tractor. My 18' car hauler, which I use for my tractor, weighs a bit more than 2000# just by itself.

Hoss

MarkV · Mar 20, 2002

Hoss,

Thanks for the reminder. I had thought of that and the weight of the B21 includes the backhoe attached. Any other implement I have for my little beast would weigh in considerably less. A buddy of mine has a 16’ twin axle (3500 lbs axles) trailer that he says weighs about 1500 pounds. Is that about the norm?

MarkV