Transit vs Econoline

[Billy stray]

Im about to bite the bullet and go from an E350 cut away cube van to a transit high roof, my concern is how the vehicle compares as a heavy duty work van, power loss, payload...etc
Id love to hear from you guys about this
Much appreciated

 

[overanalyze]

Drive one and then drive a ProMaster. I have been a diehard Ford guy for years and went the ProMaster route. Lower ride height, taller roof, nicer cab, a more square interior cargo area that made the build out easier.

Do you tow? What kind of payload needs do you have? For us the 2500 was enough and we can still tow our 18' cargo trailer. I will say I wouldn't want to tow that trailer daily with the PM. If that is a concern then a 350 Transit with the Ecoboost would be a better choice. 

Here is mine.

 

[Billy stray]

I have a need to tow a 12 ' tandem axle trailer a couple times a month, i hear tales of weak transmisions and power loss "your gonna burn the same gas working the engine harder " etc
I cant spring for the powerstroke either as much as my tim taylor mentality would like too
Thanks

 

[overanalyze]

Stock v6 Transit compared to stock V6 PM I felt the PM had more power and pickup. Our 18' cargo trailer weighs 4500 lbs. loaded. It tows it ok even at 65mph but it doesn't love it. How heavy is your 12'?

 

[Billy stray]

Its a tandem axle with an 8500 load rating
Itll carry 2 large motorcycles
But its mostly a work trailer its also the reason i can ditch the single rear wheel cube van...

 

[yetihunter]

Never towed a trailer, but I moved a lot of retail fixtures and stock with the company Transit when we had one.  With every bit of volume packed and cargo spilling into the passenger seat, it wouldn't ever feel like it was struggling. 
A lot of wasted space, however.  You're building it out, so the fact that the trim
was as garbage as any othr modern vehicle is not a matter.

The most annoying thing is that the lumber and ladders I can fit in my sedan
could never fit in a stock Transit.