2018 Ford Transit 3500 diesel

[Firedog1]

Just left the dealer, looking at the new Ford Transit 3500 diesel, the paperwork claims it tows 11,200 lbs. Payload capacity greater than my F250 King Ranch. Dealer claims its built on F250 Chassis (not sure I believe that). it has a 3.2 liter diesel. Anyone out there using one as a tow vehicle? They look nice, and fully loaded about 47K after rebates. About 30K cheaper than a loaded F250 or 350. Any thoughts? Comments? Advise? My GVWR on the Classic is 10,000 lbs. FYI would get medium height single axle, can't get dually unless you get the HIGH roof that I am not interested in.

[uraljohn]

You need to go to Fords website and view the tow ratings for Transit Vans/Transit Wagons. The MAX rating is just 7500#. That is for empty T350 With EB engine. Diesel is 500# less. These vans are unibody and it states in the owners manual not to use WD hitch. Of course the hitch installed with factory tow pkg has sticker on it with figures for no WD and with WD hitch. Imagine that. I looked at buying a T150/250/350 Transit WAGON. That is with the full interior. The highest tow rating was just under 5000#. Review those specs. I purchased 2013 Ford E150 XLT Premium van with factory tow pkg. Rated at 8600# GVW (2500# Payload), 7000# Tow Rating with a 13,000# Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating. My TT is 2017 23D weighing a Max of 6000# (Fully loaded ready to go travel it weighs 5400#). Tows great.
Check those tow rating numbers carefully. The Transits can not tow near as much as the old E Series vans. Good luck on your tow vehicle search.

[uraljohn]

Originally Posted by Firedog1

Just left the dealer, looking at the new Ford Transit 3500 diesel, the paperwork claims it tows 11,200 lbs. Payload capacity greater than my F250 King Ranch. Dealer claims its built on F250 Chassis (not sure I believe that). it has a 3.2 liter diesel. Anyone out there using one as a tow vehicle? They look nice, and fully loaded about 47K after rebates. About 30K cheaper than a loaded F250 or 350. Any thoughts? Comments? Advise? My GVWR on the Classic is 10,000 lbs. FYI would get medium height single axle, can't get dually unless you get the HIGH roof that I am not interested in.

Google "2017/2018 Transit van towing selector". The tow ratings of these Transit vans will surprise you. The 11,200#'s is referring to the absolute Max the van and trailer combination can weigh. If you want to tow with a van (I really like towing with mine) a 10.000# trailer is going to require either a used Chevy Express with a 6.0 engine or diesel (yes they made some) or a used Ford E series with the V-10 or a diesel. They are out there. just will take some looking.

[brick1]

The tow rating you refer to is much higher than I see on the Ford website.
brick

[Firedog1]

Yes, the brochure that just came out is different. it does show 11,200 lb for diesel with medium roof. Im not convinced yet either

[RandyNH]

Originally Posted by Firedog1

Yes, the brochure that just came out is different. it does show 11,200 lb for diesel with medium roof. Im not convinced yet either

This is the 2018 guide, where do you see anything higher than 7500 for a transit (they're on page 29)

https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...e_r3_Feb14.pdf

Or could you link to what guide your referring to

[uraljohn]

Originally Posted by Firedog1

Yes, the brochure that just came out is different. it does show 11,200 lb for diesel with medium roof. Im not convinced yet either

The 11,200# figure you are citing in the brochure is not the amount the 3500 Transit can tow. That figure represents the TOTAL amount of weight vehicle can handle. That would be the combined weight of Van and Trailer. The MAX that a Transit 3500 can tow is 7500#. That is referring to the cargo van with no interior. When you look at tow rating for the Transit WAGON (with factory interior) the tow rating is less than 5000#. Very weak towing capacity for these vans. With no frame they are less able to handle the loads imposed from towing heavy trailers, hence the very low tow rating.

[AnnArborBob]

If the Transit van was indeed built on a F-250 chassis, the cargo bed floor would be at least three feet above the ground! Beware of anything your salesman tells you. He's likely doesn't know what he's talking about.

[Firedog1]

Agreed. I’ll stick with a truck

[GM Airstream]

The DEALERS LIE.... I know as they did it to me... we think... 10,000 on the ball and the manufacture is thinking total package.. TV+RV

Be careful... I was told that my older van e350 would tow my AS... atttt wrong after you buy it you find out IT WON'T... and no they won't take it back... the manager said.. well the sales person didn't understand.. and so they put him in retraining... go figure...

non the less... once the check clears the bank... your stuck... to which I would look at DODGE 3/4 PU with the big V8 engine... as a prospect for the future...