1997 FORD E SERIES Owners Manual

Calculating the load your
vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the Safety Compliance
Certification Label to find the axle
code number and engine type for
your vehicle.
2. Use the appropriate maximum
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) chart to find the
maximum GCWR for your type
engine and rear axle ratio.
3. Weigh your vehicle as you
customarily operate the vehicle
without cargo. To obtain correct
weights, try taking your vehicle to
a shipping company or an
inspection station for trucks.
4. Subtract your loaded vehicle
weight from the maximum GCWR
on the following charts. This is the
maximum trailer weight your
vehicle can tow and must fall
below the maximum shown under
Maximum Trailer Weight on the
chart.
Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR kg
(lb)Trailer weight
range kg (lb)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area Of
Trailer Ft
2
Regular Van E-150
4.2L 3.314,082
(9,000)1,860
(4,100)60
4.2L 3.554,536
(10,000)2,313
(5,100)60
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Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR kg
(lb)Trailer weight
range kg (lb)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area Of
Trailer Ft
2
4.6L 3.314,990
(11,000)2,766
(6,100)60
4.6L 3.555,216
(11,500)2,993
(6,600)60
5.4L 3.555,443
(12,000)3,130
(6,900)60
Regular Van E-250
4.2L 3.734,763
(10,500)2,359
(5,200)60
5.4L 3.735,897
(13,000)3,402
(7,500)60
Regular Van E-250 HD
4.2L 4.094,990
(11,000)2,586
(5,700)60
5.4L 3.735,897
(13,000)3,402
(7,500)60
Super Van E-250
4.2L 3.734,763
(10,500)2,313
(5,100)60
5.4L 3.735,897
(13,000)3,357
(7,400)60
Super Van E-250 HD
4.2L 4.094,990
(11,000)2,540
(5,600)60
5.4L 3.735,897
(13,000)3,356
(7,400)60
Regular Van E-350
5.4L 3.555,443
(12,000)2,948
(6,500)60
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Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR kg
(lb)Trailer weight
range kg (lb)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area Of
Trailer Ft
2
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)3,402
(7,500)60
7.3L
(Diesel)3.557,258
(16,000)4,536
(10,000)60
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,536
(10,000)60
6.8L 3.736,804
(15,000)4,218
(9,300)60
6.8L 4.108,392
(18,500)4,536
(10,000)60
Super Van E-350
5.4L 3.555,443
(12,000)2,858
(6,300)60
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)3,311
(7,300)60
7.3L
(Diesel)3.557,258
(16,000)4,445
(9,800)60
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,536
(10,000)60
6.8L 3.736,804
(15,000)4,173
(9,200)60
6.8L 4.108,392
(18,500)4,536
(10,000)60
Club Wagon E-150 (8 passenger)
4.2L 3.314,082
(9,000)1,678
(3,700)60
4.2L 3.554,536
(10,000)2,132
(4,700)60
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Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR kg
(lb)Trailer weight
range kg (lb)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area Of
Trailer Ft
2
4.6L 3.314,990
(11,000)2,540
(5,600)60
4.6L 3.555,216
(11,500)2,767
(6,100)60
5.4L 3.555,443
(12,000)2,948
(6,500)60
Club Wagon Regular E-350 (12 passenger)
5.4L 3.555,443
(12,000)2,722
(6,000)60
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)3,175
(7,000)60
7.3L
(Diesel)3.557,258
(16,000)4,309
(9,500)60
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,536
(10,000)60
6.8L 3.736,804
(15,000)4,037
(8,900)60
6.8L 4.108,392
(18,500)4,536
(10,000)60
Club Wagon Super E-350 (15 passenger)
5.4L 3.555,443
(12,000)2,586
(5,700)60
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)3,039
(6,700)60
7.3L
(Diesel)3.557,258
(16,000)4,173
(9,200)60
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,536
(10,000)60
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Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR kg
(lb)Trailer weight
range kg (lb)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area Of
Trailer Ft
2
6.8L 3.736,804
(15,000)3,901
(8,600)60
6.8L 4.108,392
(18,500)4,536
(10,000)60
E-350 RV Cutaway (single rear wheel)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,717
(10,400)60
E-350 RV Cutaway (dual rear wheel)
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)1,134
(2,500)60
6.8L 4.108,392
(18,500)3,629
(8,000)60
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,309
(9,500)60
E-350 Commercial Cutaway (single rear wheel)
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,717
(10,400)60
E-350 Commercial Cutaway (dual rear wheel)
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)1,225
(2,700)60
6.8L 4.108,392
(18,500)3,720
(8,200)60
7.3L
(Diesel)4.109,072
(20,000)4,400
(9,700)60
E-Super Duty
6.8L 4.639,072
(20,000)4,536
(10,000)60
7.3L
(Diesel)4.639,072
(20,000)4,536
(10,000)60
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Trailer Towing Table
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR kg
(lb)Trailer weight
range kg (lb)
(0-Maximum)Maximum
Frontal Area Of
Trailer Ft
2
E-250/350 Stripped Chassis (single rear wheel)
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)1,542
(3,400)60
6.8L 3.736,804
(15,000)2,540
(5,600)60
E-250/350 Stripped Chassis (dual rear wheel)
5.4L 4.105,897
(13,000)1,361
(3,000)60
6.8L 4.108,392
(18,500)3,856
(8,500)60
For high altitude operation, reduce GCWR by 2% per 300 meters
(1,000 ft) elevation.
To determine the maximum trailer weight designed for you particular
vehicle as equipped, follow the section Calculating the load your
vehicle can tow/carryearlier in this chapter.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II
or III trailer provided the
maximum trailer weight is less
than or equal to the maximum
trailer weight listed for your engine
and rear axle ratio on the above
charts.
Your vehicle's load capacity is
designated by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle.
Distribute the load so that only 10
to 15% of the total is on the
tongue. Tie down the load so that
eco_trailer
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it does not shift and change the
weight on the hitch.
Towing a trailer places an
additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transmission, axle, brakes,
tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any
towing operation.
Do not exceed the GVWR
or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight could result
in engine damage,
transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of
control, and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer, and make sure it
is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require
assistance.
Hitches
Do not use or install hitches that
clamp onto the bumper or to the
axle. Underbody hitches are
acceptable if installed properly.
Step bumper (if equipped)
Step bumpers have a built-in hitch
and only require a ball with a 2.5
cm (1 in.) shank diameter. Step
eco_preparing_tow
eco_hitch
eco_step-bumper
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95

bumpers have a Class III capability
(2,270 kg [5,000 lb] trailer weight
and 227 kg [500 lb] tongue weight.
Safety chains
Always use safety chains between
your vehicle and trailer. Cross
chains under the trailer tongue and
allow slack for turning corners.
Connect safety chains to the
vehicle frame or hook retainers.
Never attach chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Trailer brakes are required on
most towed vehicles weighing over
680 kg (1,500 lbs)
Do not connect a trailer's
hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and
your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most
towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to Federal
and local regulations. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for
the proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up trailer
lamps.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h
(55 mph) while towing a trailer. Do
not drive faster than 72 km/h (45
mph) with a trailer while towing in
eco_safety_chains
eco_trailer_brakes
eco_trailer_lamps
eco_driving_towing
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