Whats my 1988 E250's GCVW?

[jayro88]

Whats my 1988 E250's GCWR?

Hello,
I am trying to find what my '88 E250 GCWR is? I searched and found all kinds of definitions, but no chart anywhere. I am going to be buying a Travel Trailer in the future and was trying to narrow down the weight range to look at. I have my vehicle manual and for my engine/gearing/trans combo it has 3 different GCWR listed. On the different Ford websites I was not able to find anything listed far enough back. I also tried running my VIN and it keeps saying it is an error......even though I have triple checked it. Any ideas?

 

[freebird01]

Its not on a tag in the door jamb?

 

[jayro88]

Its not on a tag in the door jamb?

No, the info on the door jam is the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)....basically how much I can carry in the vehicle (or the bed if it were a truck). The GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating), is what the total set up (Van and Trailer) can weight together. Subtract the weight of the van from the GCWR and you have what the max weight of the trailer my van is recommended for. This number is what I am looking for.

 

[jayro88]

Okay, so I read some more in my owners manual and I might have it figured out. I believe the 3 different trailer weights/GCWR's listed have to do with the type of hitch being used. The first option gives a trailer weight up to 2K pounds (GCWR 10k). Under the hitch section it stated that the step bumper hitch is good up to 2k pounds. Past that it references using a frame mounted hitch and a weight distribution hitch. The trailer weights say 2-3.5k (GCWR 10.5k) for the second section and 3.5-7.1k (GCWR 12k) for the 3rd section.

The GVWR for the van according to the door sticker is 8.5k pounds. If the van was loaded to the max GVWR of 8.5k and you add the lowest trailer weight in the last 2 sections you get the listed GCWR for that section. Just wish the manual had a key explaining this since I don't like assuming. Anyone else see this in their manual?

And yes, its late, I'm tired and rambling some.....
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