Looking for a race van

I'm shopping around for an E150 style van. Can they effectively pull a 7x16 enclosed trailer? Or, would it be better to look for a larger van. Those get exponentially more expensive, and at that point I debate buying an RV.

Also, what should I look for as a problem in the various vans? My price range is about 6k.

 

Shouldn't be hard to find an old fleet E-250 or E-350 with the 5.4L. They're so much more common than the E-150 that sheer volume keeps the price down. I think I paid $3700 for mine in 2011 and it only had 69k on it.

 

If you're planning on towing, look for a heavy duty van, not a 150.

My Chevy (which I happen to have for sale here on the BBS ) is a one ton and that would tow your trailer no problem.
You get a beefier chassis, larger brakes, stronger transmission etc.
The transmission alone is worth it in my mind.

In my experience, the Chevy is a better van than the Ford. The Chevy drives like a big car where the Ford needs constant corrections to drive down the road.
The dog house on a Ford is bigger than on the Chevy so you have less leg room.

YMMV

 

I have a E150 conversion. It's a 4.6

I pull a 6X12 with AC unit on top. It does decent but I'd hate to pull anything bigger. I have btw and it was a joke.

The 5.4 in E250 is much better.

 

For some reason, every time I follow a van that's dog tracking, it's a Ford....

 

Or a half-melted taillight.

 

You don't like gear boxes that you need to whack left then right constantly to keep straight?

 

Love the Chevy/GMC, bullet proof and much more comfortable/roomy driver accommodations than Ford. Had few of each and love this long wheel base Chevy Express.
Since the wheel base itself is longer (versus the Ford longer body on same wheelbase) it tows much better and will handle more tongue weight do to less leverage on the rear axle.
Don't mind the colour lol..

 

Stay away from the 5.4L I had it in a 2010 f150 limited motor let go at 90,000

 

???

There’s literally MILLIONS of those engines out there, many with well into six figure mileage. Outside of the well known issues with plugs, manifold studs, and coil packs, they’re pretty reliable.

 

Around 2 years ago, I got my E-350 Superduty for $3500. Other than the 89 mph governor, it has been headache-free and perfect for hauling bikes and keeping my yeti of a GSD out of my car.

 

Known issues or not, doesn’t sound like my definition of reliable. I’ll stick with my Toyota.

 

Yeah I'm sure no Toyota's ever blown up prematurely.

 

Unfortunately the Toyota Hi-Ace van isn't available in the US so the Chevy is the second best.
Plus the Hi-Ace I had in Europe was all of 75 hp so not the fastest thing I've ever driven.
They were pretty reliable except for the occasional cracked head.

 

My personal preference is the GM over the Ford due to the wheelbase and 6.0 as mentioned above. But they both work fine at the end of the day. Just pick one that is decent enough shape. You can fix just about anything on a US made cargo van with duct tape and zip ties anyway.

 

Thanks guys. CJ has a great van, but so far away. I'm in Memphis.

 

Garrett, I'm selling my conversion van. Chevy . 98 model. Hightop. 5.7 liter.

 

JD Beach has a Bad Ass one.... Chevy I think.....

 

I'm not sure he does anymore. Seems like he did one of his videos not that long ago from a Sprinter.

 

Just as a heads up, not all Express Vans have the 6.0. I've actually seen 3500 with a 4.8. so make sure you know what you're buying.