Ford E150 vs F150

Ok, I have decided to get a tow vehicle for my boat. I plan on taking it to florida for the winter and towing 1100 miles one way and back would have renting a vehicle equal that of buying.

In looking at Fords (my family had chevys and fords, and the fords were less problomatic, and we had ford vans at work) I am trying to figure out why there is a 1500 to 2000 dollar price premium on theF150 over that of a comparable E150.

I am not looking to throw nasty stuff in the back, so I really do not need the pickup, but I am trying to figure out why the vans are so much cheaper

Supply and demand. Just like new trucks outsell cars and vans, used trucks are more desired than used anything else.

Vans are not as easy to drive possibly. In the van market, older conversion vans are a bargain. I picked up my '92 E150 conversion van, with 5.8L, and towing package, with 140k on it, for only $2500. It needed the usual 100k maintenance items that would have cost a small fortune if done by a shop. I installed brakes, Bilsteins, Hellwig sway bars, a built valve body for the tranny, and changed all fluids. One tough vehicle. Tows great.

What about a Tahoe/Suburban/Expedition? I'd expect that they would be even cheaper than the Vans or the trucks.

so all else being equal (engine, trans, towing package) they are mechanically the same?

mad_machine wrote: so all else being equal (engine, trans, towing package) they are mechanically the same?

Outside of sitting more next to the engine instead of behind, I'm pretty sure they are the same.

that's good to know. I think for a long distance haul, the van would be better anyway. I like having everything locked away from prying eyes (and fingers)

mtn wrote: What about a Tahoe/Suburban/Expedition? I'd expect that they would be even cheaper than the Vans or the trucks.

This.

They will probably return the same mileage as the pickup as well. Vans however get poor mileage no matter what. My '07 GMC Savannah averages about 12 mpg no matter how I drive it. I think that is because of the ladder rack, but I think towing a sailboat would have the same effect.

mad_machine wrote: Ok, I have decided to get a tow vehicle for my boat. I plan on taking it to florida for the winter and towing 1100 miles one way and back would have renting a vehicle equal that of buying. In looking at Fords (my family had chevys and fords, and the fords were less problomatic, and we had ford vans at work) I am trying to figure out why there is a 1500 to 2000 dollar price premium on theF150 over that of a comparable E150. I am not looking to throw nasty stuff in the back, so I really do not need the pickup, but I am trying to figure out why the vans are so much cheaper

I assume you are looking at new models? If so, the F-150 is a heckuva lot nicer than the Econoline. I'm pretty sure the vans will still have the old 4.6 and 5.4 motors, whereas the trucks have the 5.0 and Ecoboost, among others. The trucks have been updated more recently and have nicer interiors, too.

The 1997+ F150 has double wishbone front suspension. The E150 had I-beam front suspension til the end.

With obvious exceptions, they are very similar critters. I chose an E350 diesel van for my tow duty. For the same overall length, I get 11' of cargo space that is dry and lockable. I also get better forward visibility. With a truck, I have 4' of hood and only 8' of cargo space that is harder to secure.

For the purposes of cargo size and drivability, I prefer the van. I tow up to 12k with mine and it handles it as well as an F350 would. In my mind, cheaper AND better vehicle for my needs. Ours also doubles as a weekend camper.

Curtis, I love your van.

Tom_Spangler wrote: I assume you are looking at new models? If so, the F-150 is a heckuva lot nicer than the Econoline. I'm pretty sure the vans will still have the old 4.6 and 5.4 motors, whereas the trucks have the 5.0 and Ecoboost, among others. The trucks have been updated more recently and have nicer interiors, too.

no, this is GRM. I am looking mid-nineties. though I have seen some early 2000s E150s for the price of late 80s, early 90 F150s

edit

Just did a search on the Thhoe.. those seem as expensive as the F150s in my area (middle atlantic)

Mine at the Mitty after towing from Ohio, to NC, then ATL and back to OH. It ran great 94 351 Chateau.

Just for the sake of comparison...

I bought my 99 E350 Powerstroke with 93k miles for $4600. It has power nothing. It doesn't even have a cassette deck.

Imagine what a similar F250 or F350 would go for in that category; $10k? 12k?

exactly Curtis.. the only people who seem to want Vans are families with lots of kids, and painters. Everyone else wants pickups