Flat tow Ford Sprinter Van ?

[GCSuper]

We flat tow our Silverado and have a lift for our Goldwing in the bed of the truck. This works great, however I would prefer the motorcycle be inside and out of the weather. A rainy day drive makes a huge mess.

I've seen the Mercedes vans being towed, but never a Ford. Roadmaster and Blue Ox don't list a tow bar so something would have to be fabricated.

Also, I'm guessing, but any driveshaft could be modified with a disconnect.
This is just an idea, but would be a nice way of having a vehicle and an enclosed space for the MC and gear. Don't want to go the stacker trailer route due to weight and cost, plus we love the ability to utilize back in sites or other sites other than always having to get a pull thru.

[USMCRET]

Blue Ox lists this baseplate for a Transit van. While it indicates up to 2019 model year, it might be applicable to later models. Demand for these baseplates isn’t that great, so they may not have even attempted to test later years.
https://www.blueox.com/product/bx2655-baseplate/

Both the Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter are towable with a driveshaft disconnect.

[GCSuper]

Originally Posted by USMCRET

Blue Ox lists this baseplate for a Transit van. While it indicates up to 2019 model year, it might be applicable to later models. Demand for these baseplates isn’t that great, so they may not have even attempted to test later years.
https://www.blueox.com/product/bx2655-baseplate/

Both the Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter are towable with a driveshaft disconnect.

Thanks for that link. When I searched their website it said not available so I didn't look at older year models.

[PanJH]

Yes--- I was wanting to get a new(er) Ford Transit, but found that no one made a base plate for models after 2019. I called Blue Ox and they said they do not plan to make one due to low demand. I'm guessing Ford changed the frame for model year 2020.
So, I bought a new Mercedes Sprinter to replace my Ford 150 as a toad. I did it for the same reason you stated--- to keep my motorcycle and bicycles out of the weather. I put on a Blue Ox base plate ( easy install after removing the facia-- just 4 holes to drill with easy access) , installed a drive shaft disconnect and then Air Force 1. We left on out initial trip a month ago. So far, so good.

[GCSuper]

Originally Posted by PanJH

Yes--- I was wanting to get a new(er) Ford Transit, but found that no one made a base plate for models after 2019. I called Blue Ox and they said they do not plan to make one due to low demand. I'm guessing Ford changed the frame for model year 2020.
So, I bought a new Mercedes Sprinter to replace my Ford 150 as a toad. I did it for the same reason you stated--- to keep my motorcycle and bicycles out of the weather. I put on a Blue Ox base plate ( easy install after removing the facia-- just 4 holes to drill with easy access) , installed a drive shaft disconnect and then Air Force 1. We left on out initial trip a month ago. So far, so good.

What type of motorcycle are you loading and do you use a ramp ?

[PanJH]

Originally Posted by GCSuper

What type of motorcycle are you loading and do you use a ramp ?

Generally I will take my Vrod or Street 750... but sometimes my Roadglide. I also have enough room for my Honda Monkey behind the seats.
For the main bike, I took my Rampage power ramp from my pickup and put it in the van. For the monkey, I just use a folding aluminum ramp and roll it up thru the side door.

[1Truckey]

Originally Posted by GCSuper

We flat tow our Silverado and have a lift for our Goldwing in the bed of the truck. This works great, however I would prefer the motorcycle be inside and out of the weather. A rainy day drive makes a huge mess.

I've seen the Mercedes vans being towed, but never a Ford. Roadmaster and Blue Ox don't list a tow bar so something would have to be fabricated.

Also, I'm guessing, but any driveshaft could be modified with a disconnect.
This is just an idea, but would be a nice way of having a vehicle and an enclosed space for the MC and gear. Don't want to go the stacker trailer route due to weight and cost, plus we love the ability to utilize back in sites or other sites other than always having to get a pull thru.

We set our 2021 T350, high roof, extended up to flat tow. Roadmaster tow bar, custom base plate by a certified welding shop and Remco (Superior Driveline) driveshaft disconnect and Roadmaster brake control. We have about 6k miles on it with no issues. It does require frequent cleaning and lubrication of the driveshaft disconnect mechanism to avoid crawling underneath to connect/disconnect.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Are the Front Wheel Drive Transits towable 4-down? Or the AWD version either?

[GCSuper]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Are the Front Wheel Drive Transits towable 4-down? Or the AWD version either?

In my early research only the RWD versions are towable with a disconnect. The trouble I'm having right now is finding someone to install it. The one vendor locally ( Dallas ) that's done it for years changed locations and doesn't have a lift anymore. In a conversation with him it sounds like this is such a niche market that's it's not worth the trouble.

I contacted Superior and they said the closest approved vendor is in AZ or FL.
That leaves me to find a local shop with a lift that will tackle it.

[GCSuper]

Originally Posted by 1Truckey

We set our 2021 T350, high roof, extended up to flat tow. Roadmaster tow bar, custom base plate by a certified welding shop and Remco (Superior Driveline) driveshaft disconnect and Roadmaster brake control. We have about 6k miles on it with no issues. It does require frequent cleaning and lubrication of the driveshaft disconnect mechanism to avoid crawling underneath to connect/disconnect.

Ted, could you expand on the tow bar a little ? Did you buy a Roadmaster tow bar for the 18, 19 models and modified that to fit a later model ?

When I first did a search for tow bars with RM and BO, nothing came up. I've since learned that Blue Ox did make one for the 18, 19 models and possibly the same situation for Roadmaster.

[GCSuper]

Originally Posted by PanJH

Generally I will take my Vrod or Street 750... but sometimes my Roadglide. I also have enough room for my Honda Monkey behind the seats.
For the main bike, I took my Rampage power ramp from my pickup and put it in the van. For the monkey, I just use a folding aluminum ramp and roll it up thru the side door.

Interesting. I'm currently using the Rampage in my truck for my Roadglide that was traded for a Goldwing, but was hoping to be able to use a ramp instead of the Rampage. Haven't been able to measure the floor height yet but it looks low enough to make a ramp doable.

[PanJH]

Originally Posted by GCSuper

Interesting. I'm currently using the Rampage in my truck for my Roadglide that was traded for a Goldwing, but was hoping to be able to use a ramp instead of the Rampage. Haven't been able to measure the floor height yet but it looks low enough to make a ramp doable.

Yes, A ramp should work too. On the Rampage, I had to raise it up about 3" in order to clear the bumper when extended and still be able to close the doors. . I put it on top of a few sheets of plywood to get the additional height.

[wff255]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Are the Front Wheel Drive Transits towable 4-down? Or the AWD version either?

According to the Ford Towing Guides I've looked at, the smaller FWD Transit Connect can't be towed 4-down. The full size RWD Transit needs a driveshaft disconnect, and the AWD looks to be a no-go.

[hypoxia]

Originally Posted by wff255

According to the Ford Towing Guides I've looked at, the smaller FWD Transit Connect can't be towed 4-down. The full size RWD Transit needs a driveshaft disconnect, and the AWD looks to be a no-go.

Does anyone make a 4 wheel drive? Those would make a nice go anywhere toad other than the height/length which would keep it out of parking structures, etc.