[Red Van Man]

Today I hooked up the trailer, put it out on the street where it is pretty level and had a look at things......

My tongue weight is around 6-700 lbs, ( the sherline scale doesn't seem to read the same at different times)

The rear of the van went down about 1 1/2" and the front came up about 1/2 inch, measured at the high point of the front and rear wheel arches.

I'll take it for a run in the next few days and see how it feels/tows. I may not have to use the WDH bars at all.

The trailer sits about 1-2" nose down, I can't raise the hitch up any further so I'll see if I can get a 1" taller ball.

So, at this time I'm a happy camper

 

[Ottoj]

Thanks for the photos. I am very curious as to your towing experience. I take 3,000 mile trips each summer towing a 4,000 lb trailer with my 2004 E350 and was thinking of upgrading to a Transit. My wife is not sold yet.

 

[Red Van Man]

My first "towing trip" this year will be around the end of April...we'll see how it goes.

Cheers, Dave.

 

[PeterR]

My first "towing trip" this year will be around the end of April...we'll see how it goes.

Cheers, Dave.

Your rig looks great in the photos, Dave. Nice alignment of rooflines +/-, will be interesting to hear about your MPG down the road.

 

[star gazer]

I always like to have the front of the trailer down just a little bit, I would be fine with how yours looks. And I always use a WD hitch as it can help with sway as well as bouncing even if you don't really need the weight distribution part of it.

Have fun.

Dean

 

[rracen67]

Looks fine to me also.


I like that red.

 

[accrete]

I was just over at the thread mentioning the 350 SRW and the discussion of the GCWR and towing... and came here too.

Your FT looks nice with the trailer. Hope you get the ride height squared away and have many fun adventures.

My wife and i are still a few years out before we jump into Van 2.0 and the Ford might still be in the lineup : ) though like others we would be looking for a workable GCWR as we will certainly have a custom build by someone like Van Specialties (who did our current Van 1.0) or OutsideVan.

We are in a similar situation with the balancing act of GVWR and GCWR. Our Chevy 1500 AWD (and we really, really like the AWD and would take it over any 4x4 conversion out there) sits at 6900 of its 7000 GVWR. Our 15ft fiberglass Parkliner trailer is 2300lbs at the scales so we were able to keep under the GCWR of 1200lbs. Our hope is that any rig we build will be able to have a comfortable and safe wiggle room left before hitting the GCWR. Here is our current setup, and we would hope to get a Trailer V2.0 also, probably a 17ft Oliver?

 

[PeterR]

. . we would hope to get a Trailer V2.0 also, probably a 17ft Oliver?

Welcome back. Curious about the possible move from the PL to the Oliver, and will shift to my Small Trailers thread. Thanks.

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/off-topic/3305-small-trailers.html

 

[accrete]

Greetings Peter... Well the mention of Oliver17 is just to keep our eyes out for what might mate up with a bit larger van. The idea would be to still keep the two room theme we now enjoy.

 

[Draaronr]

Today I hooked up the trailer, put it out on the street where it is pretty level and had a look at things......

My tongue weight is around 6-700 lbs, ( the sherline scale doesn't seem to read the same at different times)

The rear of the van went down about 1 1/2" and the front came up about 1/2 inch, measured at the high point of the front and rear wheel arches.

I'll take it for a run in the next few days and see how it feels/tows. I may not have to use the WDH bars at all.

The trailer sits about 1-2" nose down, I can't raise the hitch up any further so I'll see if I can get a 1" taller ball.

So, at this time I'm a happy camper

How did it tow? What was the mileage?

 

[danketchpel]

Here's my first hitch up and tow.

 

[Fish]

My most recent haul.

 

[EddieZ]

My most recent haul.

Whatchagotinthere? Another low roof Transit, maybe?

 

[danketchpel]

My most recent haul.

That's a significant trailer. What do you estimate the weight to be?

What engine are you running?

I'm assuming you're using the electronic brake controller, how have you set it up? I don't have a trailer with brakes at the moment.

 

[Fish]

I'm always late to the game too. I've pulled that trailer/cargo combined weight at 6500+ lbs. My van has the 3.7L so I'm not winning any races...but it's a functional and stable towing setup with a good Tekonsha brake controller and WDH.

On a heavier run we had a Ferris zero turn mower, a Yanmar tractor, and a bunch of tools in there.

 

[star gazer]

Here was a decent load of sod, about 120 rolls. Don't have brakes on this trailer so had to be careful. Handled it very well.

 

[TeeRoy7]

My Transit tow's my boat better then my 05 F150 with its 5.4. I must say that I love this 3.5 eco boost engine.

 

[joefromga]

Here come the hand-wringers.

 

[Derek Fried]

19' Jayco X19H. Gvwr 4850, dry tongue about 400lbs. Just fits under every conceivable measure except frontal area at 64 sq ft. Pulls is great, wouldn't really want to push much more weight though.


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[vitalys]

I'm looking to get a travel trailer about 6,000 lb dry weight. I got a 3.7 in 350 148WB . Got a factory T/H just need to add brake controller. Would be on heavy side but looks like it should not be a problem....

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