We have a new to us 1995 26.5, and one thing we failed to research before buying :o was the towing capacity. It’s on an E350 chassis, and stated to be limited to 3000 pounds. I was curious to hear what people tow with these models? We are full-time with 2 dogs so need a 2nd set of wheels to use in case of emergency (plan to mostly boondock).
With the low 3000-lb towing limit, an older Honda Fit would be a good choice or one of the small cars made by Ford or GM
Search the Motorhome Magazine Dingy Guides for something that fits your needs and towing limitations.Downloadable Dinghy Towing Guides | MotorHome Magazine (https://www.motorhome.com/download-dinghy-guides/)
Be aware of your Mid-Bath's very limited GVW, it's very easy to overload one, with the 11,500-lb GVW.
Do check to see if perhaps your LD is a Super-Duty E350, it has the 14,050-lb GVW, the GVW numbers should be on the driver's door opening.
Larry
Thank you, I wish we had that one! I don’t think they were made yet… It’s tough — one of our dogs is a greyhound, and they are not small. The other is a smallish staffy, but we want to be able to take them with us when we travel. And before we do anything, we do need to find a place to get weighed.
Motorcycle and sidecar is looking doable (except for the greyhound). I was curious as to what other people tow as well (I know a very old 1st gen stripped down jeep would work, but hard to find!
I towed a Fit (under 2,600 pounds) for a number of years, and it's great car as long you stay on paved roads. (The current model has just 4.4 inches of ground clearance.) But that aside, it's reliable and has a great deal of usable storage space.
I have a '95 23.5, don't need to toe a car but instead going to tow a moped. Tongue weight is only 300lbs...........
Will be going to a hitch place to see what can be done to hold more. Will post here what they say, and get a rough estimate for you
I have a '95 23.5, don't need to toe a car but instead going to tow a moped. Tongue weight is only 300lbs...........
Will be going to a hitch place to see what can be done to hold more. Will post here what they say, and get a rough estimate for you
That would be brilliant! Thank you!
I towed a Fit (under 2,600 pounds) for a number of years, and it's great car as long you stay on paved roads. (The current model has just 4.4 inches of ground clearance.) But that aside, it's reliable and has a great deal of usable storage space.
Thank you, that is really useful to know! Nearly all the vehicles I have ever owned are American classics (we already talking 1960’s) or Jeeps, so I am unfamiliar with these new-fangled things 😊
There's more information about my outfitting my 2009 Fit for towing (http://www.andybaird.com/travels/skylarking/2009/fit.htm) on my Skylarking website, on the page just linked and the following page.
That would be brilliant! Thank you!
Of course they want to redo the whole hitch towing stuff. They're going to reinforce the sub frame and put in a new hitch that can handle 500lbs easily on tongue weight. Can't recall the exact amount of towing, but 3k sounds familiar, I'll double check. Either way they said they would only officially recommend what the vehicle recommends.
All of this for a shinny $1,800
Of course they want to redo the whole hitch towing stuff. They're going to reinforce the sub frame and put in a new hitch that can handle 500lbs easily on tongue weight. Can't recall the exact amount of towing, but 3k sounds familiar, I'll double check. Either way they said they would only officially recommend what the vehicle recommends.
All of this for a shinny $1,800
The E350’s rear springs may not be up to carrying the extra weight on the hitch, budget for either rear bigger spring packs or air bag springs.
E350s do not have a rear anti-sway bar and benefit greatly from adding an after-market sway bar, especially when excess weigh is added to the rear bumper.
1995 Ford E-350 Econoline Air Bag Suspension Kits | Air Lift Company (https://www.airliftcompany.com/vehicles/ford/e-350-econoline/1995/?sub_model=CARGO)
https://www.etrailer.com/Anti-Sway-Bars/Ford/Van/1995/RM-1139-117.html
Larry
The E350’s rear springs may not be up to carrying the extra weight on the hitch, budget for either rear bigger spring packs or air bag springs.
E350s do not have a rear anti-sway bar and benefit greatly from adding an after-market sway bar, especially when excess weigh is added to the rear bumper.
1995 Ford E-350 Econoline Air Bag Suspension Kits | Air Lift Company (https://www.airliftcompany.com/vehicles/ford/e-350-econoline/1995/?sub_model=CARGO)
https://www.etrailer.com/Anti-Sway-Bars/Ford/Van/1995/RM-1139-117.html
Larry
oh boy!! maybe i should just get a front hitch instead ;)
Hi Larry(2) Larry W. is right about the rear springpack on the E350. I haven't changed it but I would have been 'ahead of the game' had I done it 20 years ago. An anti-sway bar might still be in the works. RonB
oh boy!! maybe I should just get a front hitch instead ;)
Hanging a motorcycle off the front end is going the have the same overweight problem as the rear plus it will block the headlights and the view.
The motorcycle and sidecar solution is not workable unless you tow it, the rear wheel down, or on a small trailer.
A small car or old Suzuki Samurai can be towed with just a normal towing set up, with no suspension or bumper modification needed.
Larry
Hanging a motorcycle off the front end is going the have the same overweight problem as the rear plus it will block the headlights and the view.
The motorcycle and sidecar solution is not workable unless you tow it, the rear wheel down, or on a small trailer.
A small car or old Suzuki Samurai can be towed with just a normal towing set up, with no suspension or bumper modification needed.
Larry
Yes, had planned to tow until we saw how expensive motorcycle trailers are… eek!! It’s actually really hard to find a small car that is under 3000 lbs as well (that doesn’t cost nearly as much as our lazy daze did that is…) and that can hold our greyhound and staffy… and is in good shape. Hmmm, probably will do bike & sidecar on trailer anyway. We don’t want to be really close to that 3000 max.