Towing a 5000pound trailer with a E350 5.4/3.73

[Whistler40]

Hi there,

I was hoping somebody may have some experience towing a lightweight trailer behind an E350 5.4 (12 passenger, 4x4 but camper converted..just removed two rows of seats to fit more storage).

Obviously getting a V10 is not possible as well I already converted a V8 and am more then happy with the Van when just travelling along, but would like to add a toyhauler with a dryweight of ~ 3700 and a 20 foot total length...

There is a lot of info on here why not to tow 7000+ trailer with this van, but anybody have experience towing a lightweight trailer?


Thanks
Chantal

PS now a really dumb question...if I blow my transmission at some point in the hopefully far far future, could you replace it with a V10 engine??

[Ford_6L_E350]

A 5.4L Triton engine w/3.73 gearing has a tow rating over 7000#, so it shouldn't be a big problem. It will notice the trailer is there, and you will need trailer brakes.

Mike

[webbmac]

Originally Posted by Whistler40

PS now a really dumb question...if I blow my transmission at some point in the hopefully far far future, could you replace it with a V10 engine??

Not a dumb question. Depends on where you live. In CA, no way unless you live outside of an APCD. Will never smog, unless you're talking so far in the future that the van becomes smog exempt.

[Ford_6L_E350]

Even then, it wouldn't be easy to swap the engine. You would need new wiring harness, Engine and Chassis computers and who knows how much more. It would be easier to buy a wrecked V10 van and swap the body from yours.

Mike

[maxacceleration]

Wheel size (not mentioned) and your diff gear ratios will make the difference between struggling and doing it semi easy.
Air bags and a weight distribution/swaybar hitch make it work even better.
Thats how I tow.

IMO you need 4.10's or 4.56 for not so irritating towing...

[dhally]

It sort of depends on what your scale weight is. I tend to depend on the chassis manufacturer's recommendations. The E350 GCWR with 5.4 and 3.73 is 13,000 lb. I collected some information off a forum thread and the average scale weight of 19 members' 4x4 vans is 9500 lb. Maximum recommended trailer weight would be 13,000 - 9500 = 3,500 lb.

We had an E150 Club Wagon with 5.8L and 3.73 ratio and towed a ~ 4500 lb. travel trailer for a couple years. As long as the trailer weight was balanced it handled OK. The brakes were marginal. We had adequate power for going up hills. But the van didn't have a lot of extra weight and 4wd on it.

I know several people who have toy haulers who talk about getting rid of them a lot. Maybe there are lighter weight ways to haul the toys...

[Whistler40]

Sorry, just realized that my above description of the van is incorrect...My van is a 12 Passenger E359 RB but only 4x4 converted, so not build out and the seats have been removed.

Been giving the Trailer a lot of thought...and althought it seems possible to pull it, with the hazzle of storage and upkeep and worry about my Van's transmission and brake health I am leaning towards getting SMB to do a Transformer Conversion...maybe a bit more expensive then a toyhauler, but I guess I can do it in steps...

Thanks for the input!!

[SMBDAD]

How does the transformer conversion replace the toyhauler? Do you want to tow the toyhauler to carry toys? What kind of toys? Do you want to tow the toy hauler for the amenities it offers?

[Silver350]

5.4, 3.73, 265/75 16:

Pulling a 6500# TT @ 2500 RPM @ 60 MPH with O/D shut off. Does it all day long. No worries.

[loren85022]

I pull a 20' toy hauler with my 5.4L. Loaded, you definitely know it's back there. The biggest issue is the tranny shift points. Almost dangerous when going up a grade in traffic. If you lose the RPM's, it's tough to regain them.