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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I am looking at a 12 passanger Ford E-350, one ton van for my towing vehicle.
It has the 5.4 Triton V-8, towing package, etc...
Any thoughts on this for pulling my boat???? I buddy of mine pulls his Ranger with one, and he loves it. Just wondering what others think before I pull the trigger.
Thanks,
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| Sweet! Get a disco ball for it!! |
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | If the Van is a Rockin, don't come a knockin. Without 4 wheel drive, I;d think about it a little if you're planning on late season fishing and the launches in NE Wisconsin are pretty bad without it. |
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| and take out a mortgage to pay for gas. Thinking of living out of it? |
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| Most ramps won't let you sleep in your vehicle so if you are planning to crash in that luv machine you may want to rethink. I know someone that tows a 21ft glass boat with a v10 15 passenger Ford that has over 200,000 miles on it, still going strong. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I don't fish Northern Wisconsin during the winter months, so that won't be a problem. I have never had 4 wheel drive on any of my trucks and have never had a problem with it in the past. No need for 4 wheel drive.
Why would the gas milage be so bad??? Right now I have a Dodge Ram 1500, and get around 14 mph. How could it be any worse?
You are allowed to sleep at the Indiana ramp, so that isn't a concern either.
So, I guess, how bad is the gas mileage??
Thanks, |
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Posts: 5874
| For some reason, the big vans always seemed to get worse mileage than the pickups. Maybe it's the shoebox shape! I bet highway mileage without a boat is no better than 10-12. With the boat, 8 or less. My 5.4L Pickup gets 14-17 Hwy, 12-13 with the boat. If I'm pushing it, or into a strong head wind, I'll get 10-12 with the boat. |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | Should be good. Drove a E-250 to and from Kansas for a job this winter, loaded down heavily on one of those trips... Lots of room, good power and if its a 12 passenger you got plenty of room for clients if needed along with gear if its not in the boat... One thing about the mileage though, the E-250 I was using got better mileage loaded down then empty... no idea how or why, it just did... I would say overall I think it got around 12-14average driving, maybe a tick more on the highway..
Edited by kevin 4/12/2005 8:27 PM
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| That 5.4 Triton is a dog motor, unless you have a smaller boat don't waste your money. If you afford it buy a diesel. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | why do you say that 5.4 is dog motor?
I know a ton of guys that have Fords with that motor, and no problems towing big boats (Rangers, Tuffy's, etc...)
Thanks, |
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Posts: 5874
| The 5.4 Triton motor is a great motor. Plenty of power for towing. I got one. It now has 160K miles on it, and runs as good as the day I bought it new. No, it's not a diesel. But I'll put it up against any same sized V8 out there for pulling power. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Thanks Shep. I thought they were good motors. Tony had the same motor in his F-150 and towed his Ranger 620 all over North America with no problems.
Thanks again Shep! |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | You fish pretty late into the season. Keep in mind that Vans are very light in the rear and you may have some serious traction problems pulling out of a ramp that is slipery late season with 2WD. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I have never owned a 4 wheel drive truck, and haven't had any other problems in the past, plus if I need to I have plenty of room to lay down some sand bags in the back for extra weight. |
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| I have had 2 conversion vans that I used for towing and right now, I use a Chev Astro.
At one time, I thought about getting a pickup for a tow vehicle, after towing with a van, I will never own a pickup. For me, a van is the only way to go, conversion, even better.
You're not supposed to sleep at ramps, I've done it and it has not been a problem.
I used an interior roof rack to store rod and reel combos. No problem storing rods up to 9 feet long. Darn near kept a shop's worth of tools behind the last seat. Those plus the spare, were enough weight that I never had a problem at any landing I used. For late fall, I always carry a bucket of sand.
You will also find that because of a pickup's image, that you can usually find a comparably equipped van for alot less than a pickup.
I think pickups are way over-rated for tow rigs.
Tom B |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Tom,
Thanks man.
I decided to get the van, 2004 E-350 Super Duty, and like Tom said, it was cheap, and came with everything I wanted. Towing package, heavy duty tranny, tranny cooler, oil cooler, heavy spring and shocks, A/C, CD player, power windows, power locks.... and the best thing, only 16,000 miles. Pick her up for just a little over $16,000. More room than a truck, with everything that I could want!!!
One Owner!
Remaining Factory Warranty
Cold Weather Package
Third Seat option
Tow Package
CD and Cassette
Anti-theft Device
Alloy Wheels
Power Seats
Power Locks
Power Mirrors
Power Windows
FogLights
Automatic Overdrive
Front and Rear AC
Climate Control
Anti-lock Brakes
Cruise Control
Dual Front Airbags
Side Airbag(s)
Luggage Rack
Full Size Spare Tire
Tilt Steering Wheel
Tinted Glass
Keyless Entry
Front Bucket Seats
Daytime Running lights
Plus more...
Here she is!!!!
Attachments
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 van.jpg (64KB - 123 downloads)
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Posts: 2089
| Nice rig man!Aside from the gas mileage etc, that is one useful hauling machine.All gear LOCKED inside too.See ya this summer Catchum. Steve |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Gas milage isn't that bad, just checked what I am getting for the first time. Mosty highway driving, but it was 15 mpg without boat, 13 with boat.
See you this summer man!!!
KID |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | That's a great setup, Mike. You'll do just fine with it. Put a spoiler on top and black out the windows. Paint it some wild color and call it the "Mystery Machine!"  |
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Posts: 5874
| Cool news, Mike!
Paint it like a herpes Undertaker! Now THAT would turn some heads!
If you are going to do the occaisional slumber party, Coleman makes a real nice double wide air mattress. Add a couple bags zipped together, and you'll have a comfy time of it. |
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| Now, THAT looks like the perfect towing machine. I would bet that there is enough room to put in an air mattress if you pull that 3rd row seat.
I know a few guys that tow with pickups that wish they got your mileage.
If your experience is like mine has been, I'll bet when you replace this van, it will be with another van.
Tom B |
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| Now, THAT looks like the perfect towing machine. I would bet that there is enough room to put in an air mattress if you pull that 3rd row seat.
I know a few guys that tow with pickups that wish they got your mileage.
If your experience is like mine has been, I'll bet when you replace this van, it will be with another van.
Tom B |
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