Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-28-2010, 06:27 PM   #1
Member
 
Joel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 64
Send a message via AIM to Joel
E250 2WD trail capabilities?

So let me preface this by saying I'm not a hardcore outdoors type by any means, although I did spend several summers driving trucks around the farm, so I'm not wholly unfamiliar with unsticking vehicles.

I'm curious, though, how many of you with 2WD have tried taking them on extended off-pavement trips. I'm not looking for a miracle, but I'm interested in how capable you guys have found 2WD Econolines to be on less-than-perfect terrain.

__________________
1995 SMB 2WD 5.8L V8 90k+ miles
DD: 1975 BMW 2002 250k+ miles
Joel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2010, 06:39 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
scatter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Blairsden, CA (when not on the road)
Posts: 1,109
Re: E250 2WD trail capabilities?

I had a 2 wheel drive E-250 for years and took it MOST places. Got towed a few times and beat the hell out of it cause I had to go too fast to get over or thru something though. That being said, it was a great rig and really went most places. It only had the Ford limited slip for a traction device.
Also, it made the Baja run from Mexicalli to Cabo in 1972 and the "roads" were a LOT worse then. I think they are very capable rigs, but 4x4 will give you peace of mind and either get you out of, or stuck farther in, a few more places.
__________________
Scatter
You can be anything you want on the Internet,
it amazes me that so many choose stupid....

2007 RB50, 6.0
K1WGB
scatter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2010, 07:50 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
Re: E250 2WD trail capabilities?

I take my 2wd E350 off-road frequently. Mud, sand, dirt... Last time I took it on dirt the trail was so rough I was getting frequent wheel lift.

Key is weight on the drive axle, and limited slip sure helps too. So do good tires.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2010, 09:49 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
DisabledExplorers's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 233
Re: E250 2WD trail capabilities?

Good tires, All Terrians at least, carry a decent small compressor (not the cig lighter kind but one that actually attaches to a battery and air down your tires. The compressor can also run an ARB x-jack which is much easiler to ues than a hi-lift jack.

I would also recommend something like the Spot Satellite Messenger so your friends & family can track you, you can ask for help if you get stuck and call 911 if it really goes bad
__________________
Go out and play in the dirt!
DisabledExplorers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 11:02 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
geoffff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,061
Re: E250 2WD trail capabilities?

I took my Sportsmobile pretty far up Bald Mountain near Shaver Lake inadvertently in 2WD when I was still clueless about locking hubs on my van's maiden voyage. The Ford limited slip does a surprising job of keeping traction on the rear wheels!

-- Geoff
__________________
2004 Ford, SMB 4x4, RB-50
https://octopup.org/sportsmobile
geoffff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 08:33 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,643
Re: E250 2WD trail capabilities?

2wd is great until you're stuck.
__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2010, 08:06 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
Re: E250 2WD trail capabilities?

4wd just makes sure you get stuck further down the trail.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2010, 09:42 PM   #8
Site Team
 
WVvan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,293
Re: E250 2WD trail capabilities?

While I don't go off-road in my 2WD I do go off pavement. I quickly learned that at a minimum you need a limited slip differential. Don't go off the pavement without it.

Some LSD info in this thread: http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/vie...php?f=5&t=3822
__________________
Open the pod bay doors Hal.

Once I exit Hal, this is what I do.
https://larry.wvnet.edu/~van/pics/lic...late-small.jpg
WWW.WVBIKE.ORG
WVvan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2010, 06:25 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: France, Europe
Posts: 617
Re: E250 2WD trail capabilities?

In absence of LSD avoid axle flex, that will get a wheel spinning and your stuck...
Otherwise I would rate a 2WD as a OK for dirt roads and dry conditions but get snow and/or mud and it does get much trickier... but as many will prove nothing is impossible
__________________
New ride: 2000 Chevy Suburban 1500 4WD
1998 Chevy Express 2500 past project
+ 1990 Mitsubishi Pajero V6 3.0l
+ 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero Hirsch
+ 1972 Saab 96 V4 (not running)
+ fixed house (Argh)
saabman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2010, 12:44 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
Re: E250 2WD trail capabilities?

Here is my van (pre-makeover) coming of Kane Creek Canyon in Moab. For those who have done this, you know it's not a flat road. I think the switchbacks are at least a 20% grade.

Van was loaded with 12 passengers, about 1000 pounds on the roof, and the trailer was a touch over 14,000 on that trip.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:14 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.