E-450 replacement

I have been waiting to see the specs on the new Ford Transit and how it compares against the E-450 that it is suppose to replace in 5-6 years.  Saw early figures last week and while it should be a nice vehicle with some nice engine choices the GVWR is a whopping 4,000 lbs less than the E-450.  I guess they are going direclty for the Sprinter applications.  I now know why so many RV manafacturers are now looking at the F-450 as and alternative to the E-450.  I feel much better that I did not wait and it makes the 14,500 lbs E-450  look very nice.  Thanks

I read the E450 will not drop away when the Transit debuts.  But I wonder if the E350 will continue to be around if the Transit and E350 host the same capabilities.  I saw the new Transit van, a locked up prototype, shown at the Chicago auto show.  It's no small van in physical size, a close cousin of the Sprinter.  Assuming the power train is capable, and a DRW (Duel Rear Wheel) version becomes available, it could replace the E350.  If Ford drops the E350, then PCs currently constructed on the E350 may be adjusted to fit a Transit.

I hope Ford would retain the stance of an E350, not modelled after a Sprinter with the rear wheels set inside so far.  I am turned off by the tires inset like that, seemingly carried over from Europe for their narrow streets.

If the Transit is 4000 less than E450 then it is 2000 lbs less than 3350.
NO THANKS...  as the motorhome would be overweight maybe right off the showroom floor.
Kind of like the Views are today as I was informed about at PC.  No thanks cuz if Iwant to haul rocks home ... I can.   I love my E350.   Just my 2 cents worth..

It is my understanding that the entire E series line will be going away in a max of 6 years.  Of course there will be no break in parts for the E series since there are just so many out there in service.  I spoke with Kermit and his concern is that inprovments/additions to the E-series will stop being made knowing that the line will be elimnated, of course the old Crown Victoria went on several years beyond what it was suppose to.

When I first heard the Ford Transit was replacing the E-Series vans I started noticing them on the road and thought NO WAY! Then I researched a bit more and found the the vans I was seeing are the Transit Connect. These are the baby cousins of the bigger, commercial Transit vans that are coming out. The bigger vans are still smaller than the E-450 as already stated.

D&B,
I wonder if the 4000 pound deficiency of the Transit is because it is of a 4 wheel Heavy Duty van, not a 6 wheel cutaway.

Folks:

I am sorry, I do not have the specifics as to exactly which chassis (4 or 6 wheels) they were referencing.  The info came directly from and RV RSS feed that I subscribe to so I am leaning towards direct RV application and therefore 6 wheels but I am not positive.   Thanks

Just went to the Ford site and there is a dedicated section for the new Transit chassis. The DRW chassis has a GVWR of 10,360 lbs., That is the heaviest rating that I can see.  Very limited application in the RV idustry I would have to conclude.   Thanks

Just went to the Ford site and there is a dedicated section for the new Transit chassis. The DRW chassis has a GVWR of 10,360 lbs., That is the heaviest rating that I can see.  Very limited application in the RV idustry I would have to conclude.   Thanks

10,360 is surely on the "Light" side.  Our 2007 E350 GVWR is 11,500 which is 1,000 less than the E350 made beginning in 2008.

Our 2350 with no slide out weighs 9,200 before we start adding to it with our own stuff, two people, and 41 gallons of fresh water which I assume brings our rig mighty close to that 10,360 mark.  I think the early 6 wheel Sprinters were around 10,500 but increased to current day 11,030 some time thereafter.