Towing Capacity Help

[NSBCraig]

Re: Towing Capacity Help

I say no way to the v-6.

Our v-8 6.0 2500 HD 4x4 Silverado tows 9,000.

I don't see why you would need to put up with a diesel but definitely not a v-6 ad really if my vote counts (usually doesn't) don't go with something grossly under what you need.

Who doesn't have a friend who thinks to highly of their truck?

 

[flingus]

Re: Towing Capacity Help

I would love a diesel.. Actually, I would love half the vehicles everyone has suggested but, its just not in the budget. Pickups have really climbed on the 'wanted' list over the last couple of years. It's been hard to find anything with less than 150,000 miles on it, thats under $8,000. Everyone keeps telling me new engines last until 200,000 or more but, I don't know.. I just can't get myself to believe that. My Lincoln Mark VIII has 150,000 on it now so, we'll see how long it lasts...

Alright, I wont even try the V-6. Thats a good point about people being fond of their own trucks, Craig. Lol.

So, nice thing about the E-350 is, it has a tow package, and since its a cargo van its much cheaper than a equivilant pickup truck. (Like a F250 or F350, or Chevy 1500 or 2500) I wont look cool driving it but, I really don't care. If it's still for sale this weekend I will most likely buy it.

Just to put my own two cents on this too.. If I had the choice of any vehicle, it would be a F-250 4X4.

 

[Tabes117]

Re: Towing Capacity Help

Might end up buying a Ford E-350. Found one at a local dealer pretty cheap. Towing capacity if it has the cheapest rear end is 6,600 lbs. 5.4 liter V8, tow package, the whole deal..

I had a 2000 Ford Expedition with the 5.4 liter. I did pull my 2002 2600 Wellcraft from Chicago to Lake of the Ozarks. It did ok. What year is the above Ford? I found out that more then half of the exhaust manifold bolts on the passenger side had rusted and snapped off. The bolts would have had to be tapped or the head replaced. I looked into the problem and found it was more common then I knew.

 

[flingus]

Re: Towing Capacity Help

I've heard of that problem with the 5.4 liters too. It's a 1999.. Hopefully it wont have any rust problems, its a Georgia vehicle so it hasn't seen any road salt.

I've heard of a lot of oddities with the triton motors. I guess it uses 5w20 oil. Tends to click real loudly when its first started.. I'll have to check out the exaust manifold before I buy it though..

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Towing Capacity Help

That shift rod that goes through the column on Ford's snaps quite a lot too.

Something to look for, although not really that hard to fix.

 

[Tabes117]

Re: Towing Capacity Help

The 5.4 also had a problem blowing out the spark plugs. I believe it was a problem with the amount of threads. Did I mention the engine started misfiring. Turned out the coils had a tendency to go bad. Of course mine was I believe #4 all the way tight to the firewall. Pain in the a..

I would stay away. I did not want to spend the money replacing heads or tapping or tapping them. Luckily I had a major hail storm and took damage. I got the check from insurance. Since the exhaust gasket wouldn't blow out till it got hot. I went to the car dealer early in morning. It was snowing heavy. Let the car sit get cold and covered by snow. Dealer did not see ALL the hail damage under the snow. Was very happy with trade in .........

 

[flingus]

Re: Towing Capacity Help

Well, after all this talk about getting a van..

I finally lucked out and found a pickup truck that had less than 200,000 miles for under $8,000 !! Pickups are going so fast these days. Anyway, settled on a 1993 Chevy Silvarado 1500 with limited slip, a tow package, and a 5.7 liter V8. 139,000 miles... It's a little shy on horsepower but, it will do the trick for now. Got it for $2,900 .

Here's to hoping she lasts a couple of boating seasons before I have to sink money into her!

Thanks again for everyones help. My budget kind of made things a pain in the keister but, I'll be able to afford that F250 diesel someday.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Towing Capacity Help

That Silverado will do you fine. They're a little sloppy (soft) but you'll get used to it. Throw some good gas shocks on it and you'll be good to go. 139,000 is a lot of miles on a 350 but it you change the oil a couple of times to get the gunk out and run a little Marvel Mystery oil down her throat she'll take care of you.

 

[Tabes117]

Re: Towing Capacity Help

Its sad when 139K is considered a lot of mileage for a US auto. I recall my dad had a 1972 Dodge Monaco Wagon with 400 V-8. It was a monster we called it the wilderbeast. Car had over 215K when it was traded in. It pulled the family boat to Hot Springs Arkansas every year.

Congrats on the Chevy!! Solid truck.

 

[skargo]

Re: Towing Capacity Help

That'll do the trick, congrats!

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Towing Capacity Help

Oddly enough. ALL of our GM Savana's in the fleet ended up with rotted/broken manifold studs, with the 6L gas engine. Still run fine, so we stopped fixing them.

Ford had problems with the early new gen trucks and the 5.4's. The plugs could seize in place and break off when you tried to change them. Apparently this issue has been fixed by a slightly redesigned plug. The 4.6V8 is gutless, about the same for towing as the V6. I've got the 5.4 now, but wish I had the 3.73's for towing. The 3.55 rear end is a bit tall.

All that said, looks like you got a good deal for a tow vehicle!

Ian