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07-27-2009, 04:13 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7
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Towing with a SMB
I am confused about the towing capacity of my SMB. Is it the same as an empty E350 van (10,000#), or is it something less than that due to the weight of the conversion?
Also, is the towing capacity different if it's gas, not diesel?
And one more question--will towing have an adverse effect on my new leaf springs? I don't want to have to replace them any time soon.
Thanks--
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schilhom
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07-27-2009, 04:45 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Joshua Tree, California
Posts: 120
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Re: Towing with a SMB
Is your rig a 4x4? If so, I know Quigley lowers the tow rating by 500-600 lbs to compensate for the weight of the extra axle and transfer case. SMB probably does the same.
I believe you can get the same tow capacity in gas and diesel if you get a lower rear axle ratio. You want to pay attention to the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) which is the van, cargo, and anything you are towing. For for my van that number is around 20,000 lbs, but I wouldn't want to drive it that heavy for very long or very often.
I wouldn't worry about your leaf springs while towing. If you are going to tow anything heavy, you should get a weight-distributing hitch which will also help save your rear springs. The owner's manual recommends you get 500 miles on the vehicle (to break in the rear axle) before towing.
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2007 Ford E350 PSD Quigley 4x4 and El Kapitan conversions, 315/70-17 BFGs
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07-27-2009, 05:01 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7
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Re: Towing with a SMB
No, it's not a 4x4.
The GVWR on our van is 9400 lbs. The unloaded vehicle weighs 7119 lbs. Does that mean that the cargo and the trailer with load can only weigh a couple thousand pounds?
I want to tow a 2000# trailer with a 3800# load. Should an E-350 extended body gas SMB be able to handle that?
__________________
schilhom
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07-27-2009, 05:28 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Joshua Tree, California
Posts: 120
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Re: Towing with a SMB
My original post was incorrect, I meant to refer to the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
Check the sticker on the driver's door jam for what the GCWR is. From that you can calculate how heavy a trailer you can tow. Remember to include the weight of all your gear in the SMB, water, gasoline, propane (if applicable). Your rig is lighter than many on this forum, but it is amazing how many pounds of "stuff" you can put into one.
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2007 Ford E350 PSD Quigley 4x4 and El Kapitan conversions, 315/70-17 BFGs
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07-27-2009, 06:59 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
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Re: Towing with a SMB
Quote:
Originally Posted by schilhom
No, it's not a 4x4.
The GVWR on our van is 9400 lbs. The unloaded vehicle weighs 7119 lbs. Does that mean that the cargo and the trailer with load can only weigh a couple thousand pounds?
I want to tow a 2000# trailer with a 3800# load. Should an E-350 extended body gas SMB be able to handle that?
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By "gas", are you referring to the V10? I assume so, since I don't think the V8 (5.4L) has a 10,000lb tow rating. I have an '06 E350 EB with the 6.0L PSD, and I think both the 6.0L and V10 are very capable tow engines, with the 6.0L peaking it's torque at lower RPMs. My SMB has a small galley, multiple Captain's seats, a rear bed platform and no other cabinetry, so I think it's on the light side for an SMB. I tow an 1800# trailer, with a 4500# load, and while I definitely slow down on steep hills, it does tow fairly comfortably. Not as well as the '02 7.3L F250 I used to have, but fairly well.
I'd like to have a weight distributing hitch like a Hensley, but I can't justify the price for only towing a few times a year.
Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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07-27-2009, 07:39 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7
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Re: Towing with a SMB
It's the 5.4L V8, with full cabinetry, refrigerator, marine toilet, generator, etc.
Considering that, and the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight calculations, it's looking like it's probably borderline.
I really don't want to overtax my SMB and possibly damage something.
Thanks for the input.
__________________
schilhom
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07-28-2009, 03:41 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 12
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Re: Towing with a SMB
I tow my H1 Hummer Wagon on a trailer behind my 06 E350 with Quigley 4x4. Go about 900 to 1,000 miles from So Cal to ID. Kinda slow going over the pass to Tahoe/Reno, but other than that, no problems. I have the 6.0 PSD and 4.10 gears. I do not have the exact weight, but the trailer is probably 2,500lbs and the H1 is around 8,000lbs. Done this rountrip many times and never had a problem with the van.
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06 Ford E350 6.0 Diesel Quigley 4x4
95 H1 Hummer HMCS
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07-29-2009, 05:47 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New "Yawk" City
Posts: 245
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Re: Towing with a SMB
Quote:
Originally Posted by schilhom
I am confused about the towing capacity of my SMB.
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Understand the differences between GVWR, GCWR and GAWR.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-part ... -chart.htm
Quote:
Originally Posted by schilhom
And one more question--will towing have an adverse effect on my new leaf springs? I don't want to have to replace them any time soon.
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In general, no, it will not have an adverse effect. The vehicle components are sufficiently strong to handle any load within the manufacturer specifications.
Here are the towing specs for a 2009 Econoline, straight from the Ford website (page 3):
http://assets.forddirect.fordvehicles.c ... 45E89D.pdf
In short, even in a worst case scenario, your van can easily tow 7,300 lbs.
__________________
2005 Ford E-350 Diesel Sportsmobile
EB 102 Voyager top, 3.55 rear, Mobil 1 all around
270 amp alternator, billet water pump, coolant filter kit,
aluminum radiator, X-Monitor with pyro, trans temp, boost
+ Scan Gauge & SCT Live Wire (Economy)
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