Van Conversion Weight
When ordering our custom Ford Transit van one of the first things we had to decide was what trim version we would get. The cargo version of the Transit comes in a 150, 250, 350, and 350HD variant. The higher the number the more the van can carry and tow. As first time van owners we had no idea how much our van conversion would weight so we went with the largest payload capacity we could get without having dual wheels in the back. We didn’t want dual wheels in the back as that would take up much needed interior space. So we went with the 350 version which has a maximum payload capacity of 4,270 LBS according to Car and Driver or 4,120 LBS according to Ford.
Gidget At The Beach
For reference, Gidget is a 2016 350 HD SRW Transit HR Van 148″ with the following options:
- 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 Engine
- 3.31 Limited Slip Axle
- QuadVan 4×4
- SYNC 3
- Pewter power 10 way seats
- Reverse, parking alert
- Lane keeping alert
- Dual batteries
- Trailer tow package
- PATS
- Anti-Theft
- Upfitter switches
- Running Board
- Privacy Glass
Here are the weights:
Manufactured Curb Weight: 5,226 LBS
QuadVan 4×4 Conversion: 594 LBS
Conversion Weight: 2,160 LBS
Total Weight After Conversion: 7,980 LBS
Our conversion weight of 2,160 LBS includes the weight of the water tank completely full and the van packed with all our stuff but not us humans. With both of us in the van we add another 320 LBS to the payload. With a payload of roughly 2,500 pounds we are below the 4,120 LBS specified by Ford.
Based on these calculations we could have went with the 250 version of the Transit and still had plenty of payload capacity.
I purchased the same unit as ytours (less the 4*4) in 2500 trim. Its good to know that I will have enough payload capacity by the time i finish my conversion. Thanks for posting this.
Quadvan quoted me 250 pounds on the conversion weight. Any idea why yours might be different? I did not weigh my van before the 4×4 conversion, so I’m not sure how much weight Quadvan added. Now I’m wondering if their work added more than the quoted 250 pounds. I am now going to be over the max front axle weight unless I get rid of the VanCompass hitch receiver, skid plate, and winch.
I did not weigh the van before the QuadVan conversion, only after. I’m using the manufacture spec number to calculate the QuadVan weight, my guess is that the van weighed more than the manufacture claims it does.
Ok got it. Quadvan claims 250 pounds, and I think that’s fairly close to what I’ve observed. When I weighed mine just after I bought it, I had to subtract myself and the fuel in the gas tank, as well as any additional options that are not part of the published based curb weight. Appreciate the information you publish.
Hey Matt
So I have been trying to get a shop to order these for my Transit and they all refused to do so due to the weight rating on these tires. How did you able to get a shop do it ? I got a 2020 Transit 250
I bought the tires online and took them to a shop to mount them.
I have a question about the 3.31 axle. Isn’t it to high with those larger tires? I have in mine same ratio and similar tires and I am afraid that my 1st gear will be to high for some mountain gravel roads. We have 2020 model, with 10 speed and I think 1st gear in that tranny is little lower then old speed, so If you have no problems, I shouldn’t have any either. Let me know, please. Thank you.
No problems.