E350 shuttle vs van?

[Seeria]

I've been looking for new tow vehicle and the E350 (ford) was recommended. Those vans (15 seater is what we'd need) seem to me to be the same as a short shuttle bus with a E350 setup.

We have lots of e350 skoolies here, so I'm hoping that means they have the power and towing capacity of their van cousin.

My question IS there a difference power, GVW, tran etc?

[sdwarf36]

I have a E450 (close to the same as a E350). The plus side over a regular van is its a dualie-and of course much more room inside. My gross is listed at 14k-of which i'm at about 12k. I tow small trailer (apx 2500 lbs) and with the height of the bus, it hides right behind it. Barely feel the trailer back there. The wife spends as much time behind the wheel as I do-no fear of it at all. It drives like a big car.

[nat_ster]

I don't know much about them, but I think the bus version has fiberglass body work, vs steel in a van. So in the long run you may get more loading / towing capacity.

The few I looked over at my skoolie yard looked like they had strong one ton frames, and a Dana 70 under the back. They were single wheel, but any Dana 70, or 80 can be made duel wheeled by swapping the hubs, wheels, and tires from a donor.

Nat

[roach711]

A 15 passenger van should have a good engine and powerful brakes which would translate into a good towing package. The van body would be quite a bit lighter than a bus body which would also help. The brakes on my E-450 shuttle bus are impressive.

One of the powerstroke diesel engines would be a plus, but be wary of the 6.0L which has a bad habit of leaking coolant. The 99 - 2003 7.3L are more desirable. I would expect to see a gas engine in the passenger vans.

Many of the Ford based short bus owners here pull decent sized trailers so the vans should do fine depending on what you want to haul.

[Seeria]

Great info! Thanks everyone. Now time to see what the market has to offer.

[DaveLind]

My friend just bought a 450. I e-mailed El Dorado with the VIN , year it was built, and what type of El Dorado. Hers was an Aerotech. They were able to give me electrical drawings, gross weight, scale weight, type of alternator. I just emailed and asked how big the fuel tank was and how much the lift weighs. enconline.com

[sdwarf36]

Mine is 52 gallons. And since it came with the frame as a partial to the box company, I'd bet yours is the same.