How do you increase the towing capacity of a Ford Transit?

Answer 1

There's a number of concerns to be addressed when you're attempting to do this. For one, there's strain on your powertrain, and this may require the installation of taller rear end gears in order to compensate for the increased amount of weight being towed.

Then there's the matter of weight applied to the suspension.. most likely, you will pull what is known as a semi-trailer - while most people thing of heavy duty CMV/HGV trailers when they hear this term, the term refers to any type of trailer in which the weight is distributed between the trailer axles and the axles of the tow vehicle (as opposed to a full trailer, which fully supports its own weight). In this case, the tongue weight (which is applied to the axles of the tow vehicle) increases as you increase the weight of the object in tow, and may strain the axles and suspension over what they're rated for... if the rear end of the vehicle is sagging, the rear axle is overloaded. Not only does this put a lot of additional strain on the axle and suspension, but it also makes the vehicle very dangerous to drive - the center of gravity is changed, the grip of the steer axles is reduced, making the vehicle increasingly difficult to control in a turn, and it makes the vehicle unstable, even going in a straight line. To counter this, you would typically have to replace the axle with something intended for heavier duty, as well as putting in heavier duty springs, coils, and shocks.

Then you have frame tolerances to consider. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of a vehicle is based on a number of factors.. weight rating of the axles, drivetrain specs, specifications of the suspension system, and strength of the chassis rails and crossmembers. When the tolerances of the frame rails and crossmembers are exceeded, it can result in buckling, laddering, or a number of other non-repairable products.

My suggestion... trade the Transit in for a vehicle with a heavier weight rating. It will be a whole lot simpler than more or less rebuilding the entire vehicle you already have.