[Clam]

Thinking of ordering the high roof extended body configuration and I'm wondering if anyone's been having any issues with the rear bumper hitting the ground when you drive up a steep driveway due to the incredibly long overhang from the rear wheels to the bumper.

Didn't see any other threads/posts touching on this potential issue so if there are feel free to bitch at me for starting a redundant thread and then link me to them.

Thanks.

 

[Longboard]

I haven't bottomed out yet. In my Sprinter I did while hauling the trailer, but I've not used my factory hitch in the Transit EL so far.
Soon I'll try it .
And yes, there is a "Departure Angle" thread somewhere here, but it is sooooooo much quicker and easier and more fun to just post away rather than search.
You'll never see me bitchn' about issues like that.
Forums that just go with the flow are not only much more productive but turn out to be the high traffic ones that generate the ad revenues the founders were looking for in the first place.
What, me search?
If I got a question I'll ask it, best way to get an answer.
Welcome!

 

[JP4]

I've yet to bottom mine and I've got the hitch and I back into a pretty steep driveway. IMO, it's not as low as my '89 extended E150 cargo was. That used to hit quite a bit. I think it looks worse than it actually is. It's a pretty good step up into the back of the van. I'm really enjoying that built in bumper step, which also makes a great bench seat.

JP

 

[PeterR]

Thinking of ordering the high roof extended body configuration and I'm wondering if anyone's been having any issues with the rear bumper hitting the ground when you drive up a steep driveway due to the incredibly long overhang from the rear wheels to the bumper.

Didn't see any other threads/posts touching on this potential issue so if there are feel free to bitch at me for starting a redundant thread and then link me to them.

Thanks.

Thank you Clam for recognizing the utility of organizing information in certain ways. Here is an earlier thread for your consideration:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/ford-transit-general-discussion/4018-rear-departure-angle.html

 

[Clam]

I haven't bottomed out yet. In my Sprinter I did while hauling the trailer, but I've not used my factory hitch in the Transit EL so far.
Soon I'll try it .
And yes, there is a "Departure Angle" thread somewhere here, but it is sooooooo much quicker and easier and more fun to just post away rather than search.
You'll never see me bitchn' about issues like that.
Forums that just go with the flow are not only much more productive but turn out to be the high traffic ones that generate the ad revenues the founders were looking for in the first place.
What, me search?
If I got a question I'll ask it, best way to get an answer.
Welcome!

Thanks Longboard. Are you a skater/surfer?

 

[Clam]

I've yet to bottom mine and I've got the hitch and I back into a pretty steep driveway. IMO, it's not as low as my '89 extended E150 cargo was. That used to hit quite a bit. I think it looks worse than it actually is. It's a pretty good step up into the back of the van. I'm really enjoying that built in bumper step, which also makes a great bench seat.

JP

That's great info, JP. I live in some pretty hilly terrain and do a bunch of service calls it homes with some pretty steep driveways. Your post relieved me of some of my concerns. Last thing I want to be doing is humping my tools and materials up these driveways because I can't get the van up there.

 

[Clam]

Thank you Clam for recognizing the utility of organizing information in certain ways. Here is an earlier thread for your consideration:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/ford-transit-general-discussion/4018-rear-departure-angle.html

Thanks for the link, Peter. I knew I could count on you to get me where I needed to be.

 

[Longboard]

Thanks Longboard. Are you a skater/surfer?

More skate than surf as I age. The cold air and water associated with Lake Michigan swells just isn't worth it anymore, and neither are the dangerous summer storms.
Every time I drive down to FL it's so cold until past the Bahama Block that SUP is about it.
But I don't go anywhere without my G&S 46" V-lam Pintail w/Randall 150's and Gumballs. Skated every day for two weeks in Key West last month.
But maybe that will change.....our middle son took off in his car w/mountain bike on the roof yesterday for his new job at LAX! Maybe I'll bring his quiver out to him in the Transit this spring. Might as well bring him my 9' noserider (he's like me......sub 150 lbs.).
Hey...no hijack here.....you created the thread, and I'm just answering your question.
YES!

 

[PeterR]

Thanks for the link, Peter. I knew I could count on you to get me where I needed to be.

Happy to help . . .

 

[JP4]

That's great info, JP. I live in some pretty hilly terrain and do a bunch of service calls it homes with some pretty steep driveways. Your post relieved me of some of my concerns. Last thing I want to be doing is humping my tools and materials up these driveways because I can't get the van up there.

Also, if you have a hitch, that's probably all that will drag on the ground anyway, as long as you're hitting it straight on.

On my old extended E150, I'd drive off pavement quite a bit in Baja on surf trips. That entailed crossing many road washouts and arroyo's with steep banks. Though I occasionally dragged the hitch in the dirt, I never got stuck. There was even a guy that used to drive on these roads in a class A motor home towing a utility trailer. Every time he got to an arroyo, he would take some army surplus portable bridge sections out of his trailer and drive over the nasty parts. It would take him eight hours to travel what took me two in the van, but he made it!
JP

 

[Clam]

More skate than surf as I age. The cold air and water associated with Lake Michigan swells just isn't worth it anymore, and neither are the dangerous summer storms.
Every time I drive down to FL it's so cold until past the Bahama Block that SUP is about it.
But I don't go anywhere without my G&S 46" V-lam Pintail w/Randall 150's and Gumballs. Skated every day for two weeks in Key West last month.
But maybe that will change.....our middle son took off in his car w/mountain bike on the roof yesterday for his new job at LAX! Maybe I'll bring his quiver out to him in the Transit this spring. Might as well bring him my 9' noserider (he's like me......sub 150 lbs.).
Hey...no hijack here.....you created the thread, and I'm just answering your question.
YES!

Eh, I don't give a fack about hijacks. I've been a skater since I was a kid and a snowboarder for 30 years. Always wanted to buy a longboard just to kick around on and stay in shape in between seasons but never got around to it. Post up some pics of your boards and maybe it will inspire me to finally go out and grab one.

 

[Clam]

Also, if you have a hitch, that's probably all that will drag on the ground anyway, as long as you're hitting it straight on.

On my old extended E150, I'd drive off pavement quite a bit in Baja on surf trips. That entailed crossing many road washouts and arroyo's with steep banks. Though I occasionally dragged the hitch in the dirt, I never got stuck. There was even a guy that used to drive on these roads in a class A motor home towing a utility trailer. Every time he got to an arroyo, he would take some army surplus portable bridge sections out of his trailer and drive over the nasty parts. It would take him eight hours to travel what took me two in the van, but he made it!
JP

I'd like to get the hitch on the extended body but I'm worried that it will exacerbate the potential rear departure angle issue that's concerning me.

 

[Longboard]

....Always wanted to buy a longboard just to kick around on and stay in shape in between seasons but never got around to it. Post up some pics of your boards and maybe it will inspire me to finally go out and grab one.

If you need stoke this is the place. Be sure to check out the forums as well.
https://www.silverfishlongboarding.com/

 

[JP4]

I'd like to get the hitch on the extended body but I'm worried that it will exacerbate the potential rear departure angle issue that's concerning me.

I'll try to get a picture, but the factory hitch is pretty well tucked under the bumper for the most part.
JP