'Extended' passender van for towing 6k lb

[Sandy Swede]

Son and DIL are looking for a 3/4 or1 ton passenger van to tow their 6,000 lb trailer. Saw one recently that was described as an 'extended' van (15 passenger). If I recall correctly, the frame is modified on so-called extended passenger vans which severely limits towing capacity. Your view?


Note: They want a passenger van to do 'double duty.' They own a cleaning business and send out crews with equipment.

[kdauto]

I have seen a few older E350 vans hauling lawn equipment and other stuff. They seem to do OK but I never investigated their tow ratings and payload. I imagine payload is sufficient as a lot of these were converted to schoolbuses up here, and that requires a good 3000lb capacity at least.

If they are filling the van with a crew that will diminish towing and payload. I suspect they will be doing a lot of low speed local stuff, so that's 1/2 as bad.

I couldn't tell you offhand which modern or semi modern vehicle would work. The ones I've seen are mid or early 2000s models.

[jrollf]

Extended van rating don't seem to play a huge roll in towing capacities, but do reduce payload capacity as they are heavier when empty. Below are max ratings you could get "in theory"... specific options and possibly years, are required to get the ratings.

Ford E-350 Extended up to 4,100 lb payload and 10,000 lb towing (need diesel for 10k lb towing, otherwise 7,300 V8, or 9,100 V10).

Ford Transit up to 4460 lb payload, and 7,500 lb towing.

Sprinter Vans up to 6,800 lb payload and 7,500 lb towing capacities.

RAM Promasters up to 5,230 lb payload and 6,910 towing.

Chevy Express up to 4,280 lb payload and 9,600 lb towing capacity.


Note: Ford doesn't sell E-350 vans anymore, so they are all used. E-350s are now only sold as chassis cabs.

I think the best approach is to figure out how much weight you'll have in the van when towing the trailer... then make sure you have enough payload left for the hitch and tongue weight of the trailer. In most cases it looks like towing capacity won't be the limiting factor.

[Sandy Swede]

I should have clarified that the extended van would be used either for towing a 6,000 lb trailer or carrying the cleaning crew & supplies, but not at the same time.


The van currently under consideration is a 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500 Extended. Years ago, we towed a 30' 7,000lb travel trailer with a 2008 Chevy 3500 conversion van with no problem. Also had the 6.0L V8 and upgrade brakes, cooling, etc. It was a towing beast.

[Sandy Swede]

Originally Posted by jrollf

Extended van rating don't seem to play a huge roll in towing capacities, but do reduce payload capacity as they are heavier when empty. Below are max ratings you could get "in theory"... specific options and possibly years, are required to get the ratings.

Ford E-350 Extended up to 4,100 lb payload and 10,000 lb towing (need diesel for 10k lb towing, otherwise 7,300 V8, or 9,100 V10).

Ford Transit up to 4460 lb payload, and 7,500 lb towing.

Sprinter Vans up to 6,800 lb payload and 7,500 lb towing capacities.

RAM Promasters up to 5,230 lb payload and 6,910 towing.

Chevy Express up to 4,280 lb payload and 9,600 lb towing capacity.


Note: Ford doesn't sell E-350 vans anymore, so they are all used. E-350s are now only sold as chassis cabs.

I think the best approach is to figure out how much weight you'll have in the van when towing the trailer... then make sure you have enough payload left for the hitch and tongue weight of the trailer. In most cases it looks like towing capacity won't be the limiting factor.

Good information, jrollf. Thanks.

[Desert Flyer]

An extended van has a very long distance from the rear axle to the ball. Any side to side movement of the trailer will really wag the van. Lever action. Shorter overhang distance there is better.

[NevadaNick]

GM vans extended version is a longer wheelbase versus the overhang on a Ford.

[jrollf]

I believe the Ford Transit, and Sprinter vans are also longer wheel base instead is simply an extension as well. Not sure about the RAM Promaster.

[CharlesinGA]

A GM/Chevy 3500 van should handle the trailer just fine. The long wheelbase model has the same cargo carrying capacity as the short WB but for towing purposes it should do well. One YouTube channel, Less Junk, More Journey towed a 30 ft Airstream with a long wheelbase 3500 Express for a couple of years (rare Duramax diesel model), and they went to Alaska, Florida and everywhere else. They moved on to a 5th wheel and a dually truck.

Ford models with the extended overhang will not do well due to the extreme distance from the rear axle to the hitch ball.

Charles