Anyone familiar with the Ford V10?

[katoranger]

I could use one of these. I already know it will drink gas, but the point of it is to tow trailers while hauling a load of people.

The minivan will be tight with 7 passengers in it and won't have any room left for the required stuff that must travel with us.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-E-350-XLT-Club-Wagon-8-Passenger-V10-Runs-GREAT-CHEAP-LOW-RESERVE-/181091936541?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a29eba91d#vi-content

[FastDoc]

Back in California I had a friend with an F250 (maybe it was a 350 I don't remember) with a V10.

It had awesome torque as you would expect, and I'm sure could easily pull anything on wheels. It was smooth and quiet. We drove it up the Sierra Nevada Mountains towing a large enclosed trailer with snowmobiles and it pulled like it was going downhill.

I don't know what it did on gas but I would guess low teens at the best. :(

This may not be all bad though because in todays fuel market vehicles with such lousy mileage are on fire sale closeout prices. :wink:

The V10's pull like a turbodiesel but were much cheaper, although probably won't go to 500,000+ miles a TD could be expected to do.

[katoranger]

I think I can expect 12-15 on the highway. The V8 only does slightly better.

This would not be a daily driver. I have the corolla for work and she has the minivan.

The minivan is not really the best for pulling trailers.

[Weldangrind]

I see that as a good option if you need to stack many bodies in the vehicle, while pulling a trailer. Like you say, it's not a DD, so fuel is less of a concern.

I'm looking at an '88 GMC 2500 long box right now, for a few reasons. If I find one that is in decent shape (or one that I can resurrect), I can get collector plates for it, so insurance is less that $200 per year. You can't use it for work if it has collector plates, but I have a van for that. The extended cab holds six people, and it will pull anything I want. I found one for $700, but it's quite a distance and would take two ferry rides to get it. It would be $1000 by the time I got home, before turning a wrench.

[katoranger]

I would really like the 12 passenger so that there is room for a few extras if needed. The point of the big van is for my to tow the scrap trailer and pick up supplies and then also use it for road trips and pull a smaller trailer if needed. Probably 5K per year.

Car tags are expensive in KS so an older one would be a benefit and also reduced insurance costs. Looking at the 97-03 models. Puts them in the 10 plus year old arena which puts the tag under a $100 a year.

For my towing needs I would probably be okay with the V8. Typically short distances with smaller loads.

[FastDoc]

I would think any engine would work. Safe to bet you won't be towing up and large mountains in KS. See what you have the lowest acqusition costs.

[katoranger]

I think whatever appears for cheap should do the job. Most likely won't be seeing any mountains.

[MICRider]

On the subject of the V10's, we have a bunch of them at work. Seem like good reliable engines. I've only heard of one going out and that was because the scaffolders never checked the oil in it for months and months...

The Ford 5.4 is a very nice torquey V8 as well, mine in the Supercrew picks up like crazy, easily the fastest/most powerful vehicle I've had. I like the 5 passenger thing a lot too. I didn't like the truck initially (buyers remorse) but it has grown on me ;). I wish it had a longer box though, never thought of it at the time, but with only a 5.5 foot box I can't get a camper for it. Plus it's not recommended to put one on it. Lol, that was part of the reason I bought it, shoulda done my homework! :roll:

[katoranger]

Sounds like the reliability is good.

My Dad has an E350 with the 5.4. It is loaded with tools and parts and has never needed anything but maintenance done.

Typically it runs all day without being shutdown as its his mobile repair truck. He needs to keep it running to power the big invertor which runs air compressor. Also keeps the heat or AC going that way too.

Even with it running all the time its still manages decent mileage.

[katoranger]

This is the van I need. Easy cleaning.

http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=1423&acctid=423#media

[Weldangrind]

Plus, you can make extra cash transporting prisoners.

[FastDoc]

Another vehicle that attracts girls, but maybe not the type most guys want to attract....

[katoranger]

Van will be on hold until the sequestration is over.

[katoranger]

Unless a free one appears. :roll: Not likely though.

[FastDoc]

Maybe.... I found a free Gold Wing.