Tail wagging the dog?

[beccae]

I have a 350 Ford Van,gas 5.7 ltr? that is suppose to be able to tow 6000 lbs. I would like to get a 24 x 8 foot cargo trailer,empty weight 3200 but after I get through loading it will be about 5000 lbs. I know I will need sway bars but am worried about the tail wagging the dog effect.I live 14 miles from the ocean and the winds on HWY. 101 can be strong. We are very close to having the money to buy what we want in a trailer but not if I have to change tow vehicles.Any opinions or ideas? I keep thinking i have a box towing a bigger box.I do expect poor gas mileage,I am only getting 15 to the gallon now. We need a emoticon with a hand holding out money! This is a great forum!

[sid]

[jwhite]

I was trying my best to build something that didn't look homemade and not haveing any head room inside was a must have for me, I am 6ft and my head was touching the ceiling when I was inside a stock trailer and my golf cart would not go in it.
so I knew I would have to have one built. if that's the case you can have it built any size you want.
I think the 8ft wide is what kills you with wind resistance and drag and it has to effect the mpg some?
I have a 7x16 and I wish I had went a little longer maybe 7x20 = I think longer is better that wider?
one thing I didn't plan on was I thought a portable AC would work and it didn't so I went with a false wall that I can open and close so I can use a window AC and I lost maybe a 15-18 inches inside but I can still live with that.
Look at 8ball's trailer he has the right size I think?

[beccae]

Yes Sid,that is the one! I am having the hardest time saving money for a trailer when other things,like vehicles,keep taking money! jwhite,I will look at 8ball's trailer but my husband has his heart set on the 8 foot wide,he's claustrophic so windows are also a necessity.

[Wimperdink]

I have a 93 Chevy conversion van with the 5.7l and towing nothing at 65 MPG I get 15-16 MPG.... when I tow my canned ham, which is overall length 15", and 2200 lbs loaded I get no sway problems at all but my best MPG was 10 @ 60mph. Between 65-70 MPH I was getting about 8 MPG.

With a trailer that heavy, I would want trailer brakes, weight distribution hitch and the anti sway linkage and with that I would be prepared for a 60mph journey. Just my thoughts.

[tnriverluver]

Is this an Extended van? If so I would not recommend that combo. Too much trailer and too much tongue weight for the extended version.

[beccae]

No,not extended.I have thought about installing a roof mount air foil at the rear of the fan since the trailer is taller than the van.Thank you so much for your responses. Planning this trailer has been a blast and seeing other people's great conversions gives me so many ideas.

[jeffmutch]

I had an E350 Ford van with the 5.7L engine. Mine was the extended version so I can't tell you exactly what to expect, but when I towed a 14 foot camper that weighed about 2500 pounds, my gas milage shot way down to maybe 8 at best. I stayed under 60 mph but was driving through Utah so had some elevation changes to contribute.

It could have been the tounge weight as mentioned before, but I don't know that I'd be comfortable towing much more with that vehicle even though It had the power...

If it were me, I'd take a similar trailer on a 'test run' either borrowing one from a friend or from a dealer.

Good luck!!

[NO David!]

A properly equipped E-350 van can be an excellent tow platform, even in the extended version (on the newer models).

We tow a smaller 7x16 tandem Cargo Conversion with my '95 E-150 Chateau package using the factory hitch, tow package, and 3.55 limited slip gears, and an aftermarket brake controller. I still get to fight the headwind due to the height of the trailer, but it pulls really well without using a weight distributing hitch. My van has the 5.8L (351 Windsor) and has a tow rating of about 5,500 LBS trailer weight.

I imagine your E-350 especially if it has the 5.4L post '96 model would be rated for much more than that. The van vs truck opinions for tow platforms are about as far apart as the gas vs diesel discussion. Of course I'm not biased...I like vans. I think with the newer ford vans, the cargo and passengers don't reduce the overall tow rating like in other makes, confirm that with your factory manual of course.

My last long trip took me from Northwest Georgia to Dayton, Ohio and back including the "little hills" on I-75 near Jellico Mountain. Nice stable ride, although I always want more gear in the mountains... Maintained hwy speeds without too much effort. I would always upgrade my van before buying another tow vehicle. It's great having the passenger comfort, extra storage and a "covered truck bed".

Look for posts by someone named 'Carringb' on the RV.net forums, he is a real van guru in regards to towing with Ford vans.



David

[rando18]

I'd get a V Nose for sure.
I have a 7x12 V Nose and pull it with
a 2003 Dodge 3500.