[howmanyds]

I would have loved that tow/haul transmission button on my Transit, but alas, I found the best deal around on a vehicle without the tow package. I have since added a hitch at Uhaul.
Is the low gear ratio something that can be adjusted/added to my existing transmission by the dealer or an aftermarket Transit specialist? Would I need it with a camping trailer of around 26' while hauling a family of nine and all their stuff?

 

[alarmist]

It's not a low gear. It just changes a few things like holding it in gear longer before shifting and downshifting on downhill coasts. I don't even think it adds an extra cooler or anything. Probably nothing you can't do with the button on the side of the shifter. I've heard it firms up the shifts but I can't feel that or find it documented.

 

[howmanyds]

Forgot to mention I'm driving a diesel.

 

[alarmist]

Only one trans for the three engines.

 

[howmanyds]

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/15RV&TT_Ford_Transit_Sep30.pdf

Am I understanding this document right, that with a 350 wagon, diesel engine, long wheelbase, and medium roof, my maximum tow weight is only 4200 pounds? So if I want a bigger trailer I'm out of luck? Or are there modifications I can do?

 

[alarmist]

By low gear ratio did you mean the 3.73 differential?

 

[howmanyds]

I thought the tow mode switched the transmission into a lower gear ratio, but I don't know exactly how these things work and if that doesn't make sense at all.

 

[Airedrifter]

I thought the tow mode switched the transmission into a lower gear ratio, but I don't know exactly how these things work and if that doesn't make sense at all.

It doesn't. It works as described above.

Basically, it uses a different "program" that changes the shift triggers. In addition, it downshifts as a braking mechanism when you hit the brakes.

 

[star gazer]

Howmany, find the gross combination weight rating for your van, located in your manual, and maybe on the door jam. Figure out how much the van will weigh completely loaded with people and gear. You can do this at many places with truck scales. Our recycling center has free scales.

Then subtract that from your gross rating. That is what you will be able to tow, don't forget tongue weight. Don't be surprised that you will likely not be able to tow near what you expect.

And with a travel travel pay attention to the frontal square footage as air drag is huge issue when towing.

 

[howmanyds]

Thanks for the advice! According to my sticker the van has a 9400 GVWR. According to the pdf document above, my setup can only tow 4200. Is this assuming a loaded van weight of 5200 pounds or am I missing something?

 

[howmanyds]

I was under the mistaken assumption that with a diesel engine you could pull just about anything.

 

[star gazer]

Look for the Combined Gross Weight Rating. This is your the max your vehicle and trailer combined can weigh. This changes depending on how your vehicle is spec'd out.

On mine I have a Combined gross of 11,200. I can carry about 3650 lbs cargo, that gets me to 9500 lbs gross vehicle weight, and when empty if I tow 5600 lbs that also gets me to 11,200lbs. So if I am fully loaded with cargo to my 9500 gvw then I can only tow 1700 lbs as that is what is left of gross combined. Yes very misleading. So basically people and cargo takes away the same amount of tow capacity.

You would be surprised at how many of those big fifth wheel rigs are being pulled my F250 diesels and are still way over their gross. Yes big diesels can pull a house, but you need a very heavy duty frame to do it. I think since our vans are unibody construction instead of a frame, it really lowers our gross combined.

 

[howmanyds]

Ok. So the jamb sticker confirms a GVWR of 9400. Then another Tire and Loading Information sticker says the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 2532 lbs. So this is the payload I guess. The manual says a diesel wagon with the 3.73 axle ratio has a maximum GCWR of 11200 and a maximum loaded trailer weight of 4650.

I guess I better find out the weight of my custom roof rack and ladder to subtract that from my maximum payload.

 

[howmanyds]

To confirm, the GVWR minus the maximum payload equals the vehicle curb weight (before add-ons, passengers, and cargo).

 

[star gazer]

Yes that should be your curb weight however I would get it weighed to be certain, sure sounds heavy.

This is copied from the specs online.

transit 350, LWB, Medium Roof Wagon 147.6 9400 3.2L 3.73 11200 4000 2700

If your sticker is 2532 then it means your van must way about 9400-2532=6868 lbs

Then if you run fully loaded, then your trailer should be no more than 1800 lbs.

 

[howmanyds]

Wait a second. If the above is true, then my VCW is 6868. That, plus the max trailer weight of 4650 is 11518 lbs, already more than the GCWR without even a driver!

So, basically, if I want to put anything in the van, such as my family, and maybe a sleeping bag or two, then my remaining allowance for a trailer will be abysmally small. Am I missing something?

 

[howmanyds]

Didn't see the reply above.
Wow. Tiny trailer options. I'm feeling a little bit disappointed right now.

 

[star gazer]

You are not the first to find this out after the fact. I am lucky that my small Casita trailer only weighs about 3500 fully loaded. On my last trip with myself and astro gear for a week I was within 500 lbs of my gross max. But I have to say it handled great and I would not be afraid to go over a little bit once in a while.

The Wagons sure add a lot a weight if you compare them to the same spec van. And then the diesel is even heavier.

My last truck was a 2000 F250 powerstroke. It had a 8600 gvw and with my topper and rubber bed mat I only had 1800 lbs payload left. Now that was a shock to find out since I thought I had a big heavy duty Pick em up truck.

 

[star gazer]

Wait a second. If the above is true, then my VCW is 6868. That, plus the max trailer weight of 4650 is 11518 lbs, already more than the GCWR without even a driver!

So, basically, if I want to put anything in the van, such as my family, and maybe a sleeping bag or two, then my remaining allowance for a trailer will be abysmally small. Am I missing something?

The max trailer weight was calculated before the van had any options I bet. Compare your door sticker cargo to what the specs say and that is probably the difference.

 

[Longboard]

But what exactly limits the gross combined weight? Is it braking? Or something else.