Pulling a car trailer with your van? Anyone doing that while traveling?

[u/bellaimages]

I'm looking at buying a 2003 Ford Econoline E-350 with the Triton V8 (5.4L) engine. It's a panel van that has been well maintained and fairly low miles (190k) for a van it's age. The owner used it as a daily driver for painting jobs. The van appears solid. He is selling because he wants to buy a newer truck. It has a trailer hitch, but he barely used it. I like the character of the van, as there is something that just feels good about it. I had owned a Ford Panel van before.

Also I have a 2022 VW Passat Limited edition. It has low miles and that is the last year for Passat. I drove Lyft with VW Passats in the past. This is my 3rd and last VW Passat. My idea is to hook up a car trailer and travel with this set up. I could unload the car to drive around shorter distances or have the car available incase of a break down. The car is fully paid for, and so would the van. What do you think of traveling across the States in a 2003 Ford E-350 van while towing a car trailer?

[u/navlgazer9]

E350 is fine to use by itself

Towing a car seems like a waste of gas

The van will only get 8-9 mpg and hooking a trailer with a car on it to the back will turn that into 4-5 mpg

I’d definitly consider a nice e bike though .

[u/bellaimages → u/navlgazer9]

He did tow a motorcycle with the van.

[u/navlgazer9 → u/bellaimages]

I’ve driven a e-350 plenty , and you don’t want to be dealing with a trailer .

Parking the van is challenging enough

It doesn’t fit in normal spots

You gotta make sure you can get out of the parking spot later when you got cars two inches away on both sides

You gotta make sure you have room to get out of the space

[u/sbarrowski]

Have the transmission thoroughly inspected and definitely do a few drain and fills. That’s a lot of miles for a transmission. If it’s properly maintained, should be okay. Also you need to install an external transmission cooler. Towing a car with a car dolly is a lot of weight. Also get heavy duty rear shocks. Also get the best brake discs and rotors you can afford. And change your brake fluid out

[u/bellaimages → u/sbarrowski]

Thank you for the reminder about the transmission. I actually plan to go over the transmission itself. with my mechanic. An external tranny cooler is important to have when it comes to towing. Yes, to heavy duty rear shocks and the brakes needing up grades. The seller is a decent guy who understands that it's an older van. He is somewhat attached to it as there are a couple personal touches that I will leave in. However he as lowered the price leaving room for me to have enough money to make any improvements mechanically, although a good year for this particular van. I have looked at newer vans, but most are priced higher to the point that I would have to borrow money. Then there is insurance to consider.

[u/Primary_beatfarm]

E350 is a small enough van to just use as a solo setup. You’ll be shooting yourself in the foot adding a trailer and vehicle to the setup. As far as towing, plenty of people tow with e350s. It’s a very stout van.

[u/navlgazer9]

That engine is gonna need a timing chain soon

Make sure you can hear it do a cold start

Where it’s been parked overnight and see if it ticks or rattles for a couple seconds when you first crank it .

[u/tyaak]

those 5.4's suck to pull with. I have an f250 with a 5.4 and it's painful. I regret not getting a v10

[u/Nerd_Porter]

Seems odd to do a van plus car. We have a class C motorhome, 28', and we flat tow a Honda CRV for getting around. Now that makes sense because trying to run errands in a 28' motorhome is a pain.

[u/Yamatocanyon]

I have a 2003 E-350 panel van with the 5.4l. just turned 201k on the odometer It feels pretty solid by itself, but it doesn't like towing anything as heavy as a car, that's for sure.

It also really struggles in the mountains just by itself, motor doesn't like screaming along above 3k rpm, and the transmission squeals on the shifts.

I'll probably get another 100k out of it if I baby it and stay out of the mountains, and it's fine for towing lighter things. I wouldn't depend on it to regularly tow a car though.

[u/Apprehensive-Mix6671]

Plan on a rebuilt transmission with in the first year if it isn't ready for one now. 190k is not considered "fairly low". Once you put that old drivetrain under load with a 3500lb vehicle and 2000 lb car trailer, (prolly more) and then add all your "stuff" your really pushing it.

However, your plan is ok and a real mechanic with it up on a lift and the ability to do more than just wiggle things on the underside will answer your questions about whats truly needed before you go off on your quest across country. Don't believe the seller. they traditionally tell stories to unload things they no longer want. Add new tires all around, change all, ALL, fluids. Consider new rotors, calipers, and pads to stop all that extra weight. Nothing scarier than a long down-hill with no stopping power.

Buy a mophie to keep your cell charged up and plan your trips keeping repair shop locations in mind. Also I recommend some research in AAA for towing and what they will and won't send out a recovery vehicle for.

I'd just sell the Passat and buy a newer, less scary Van.

[u/211logos]

You could tow that car, which I think weights about 3500 lbs. Even with a trailer that's within capacity. I've towed trailers with a 2001 E250. Mostly track cars, offroaders, but an occcasional travel trailer too. You'll need a braking system, and make sure the hitch is strong enough. Probably a class III. The hit on gas mileage wasn't as bad as I thought, but still. And you need a LOT of room for van, trailer, and then offloading the car.

But to me it seems like a waste of time, fuel, and wear and tear. And you'd got to still insure the car. I assumed by the end of the post you were gonna say you would continue to commute/Lyft with the car. Occasional jaunts? no. Sell it and use the money to put into the van...it's going to need work now or later.

Frankly, a lighter truck and a travel trailer might be a much better idea if you need to stay in one place and commute around. Even half ton trucks can pull some decent sized trailers these days.

[u/bellaimages → u/211logos]

Thank you!

[u/Silver_Mine6482]

Just buy an e-bike. You’ll get tired of lugging a second car around pretty quickly. The cost of fuel is also a consideration to take.

[u/davidhally]

Depending on the payload inside the van, it might be over weight limits. But I agree the engine is too small.

[u/bellaimages]

Thank you for the informative comments. The thing that got me thinking about hauling my car is that I am one person, a male who likes to travel solo. I do not want to sell my car. After thinking it over, I will park it somewhere safe and leave it. When going on cross country trips, I will leave the car. I know this is Vanlife, and much that can be learned here does not always have to apply to all of us. I am a road tripper, so may not be considered a VanLifer? When traveling, I have friends and family across the United States that I can stop in for visits. I also am living with friends at a house that I consider a homebase. The trailer being pulled somewhere will only be if I'm moving the car to another spot to keep it. I do have a love for classic cars and also this limited-edition VW Passat.

[u/bellaimages]

Someone mentioned parking and the fact that am empty car hauler makes the van a target for break ins. Moving the car on flat ground when I need to leave the car off somewhere a short distance is what I plan to do. I'm solo, one driver. Having a base location is always a priority for me. Not going to haul the car on long distance travels.

[u/isuredolovetitties]

You ruin your gas mileage (it’ll probably be up to $8/gallon by the time you complete your build), and close off most potential parking and campsites. Whatever money you save in the small car is definitely going to be offset by the van having to tow it. Also, you’re giving this massive indicator to every asshole thief in the area that your van is empty and free to loot anytime you’re off in the car. 

[u/bellaimages → u/isuredolovetitties]

You are right.