Brakes and toads and the E-350 chassis

I'm looking at the E-350 cutaway specs and it shows the exact same brake components for every wheelbase from 138 through 176.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2016/16_ESeries_Cutaway_SB.pdf

Here's my question:

My 2350 has a gross weight of 11500 lbs.  A 2552 has a gross weight of 14,500 lbs.  They have the exact same brakes.

So why do I need auxiliary brakes for a toad that weighs less than 3,000 lbs? 

I don't mean legally.  Under 3000 lbs is actually legal in most states.  I mean physically.  Would my 2350 towing the 2400 lb Geo Tracker I'm thinking of buying be any harder to stop than a loaded-up 2552?

I am definitely no expert on towing so I look forward to seeing other responses.

A few thoughts:
1) I think it is required in many states, but your question disregards legality. 
2) I have heard a number of people state they are glad to have the brakes on the toad as it makes stopping the coach easier than without
3) The toad is not just added weight on the tires, it is behind and pushing you.  So it does not act the same as the same weight on 2552 that is on the tires and increasing tire friction.
4) Since the toad is pushing on the tow bar when you try to stop I would think it could push you sideways if you stop when turning.  Just speculating on this one.
5) Whether brakes are legal or not is not going to matter if you get into an accident.  For example here in Oregon brakes on trailers are not required regardless of weight.  However the law does spell precise stopping distances that are required.  So if you get in an accident and they can show you did not stop within the required distance you might have an issue.

Hi BlueBlaze,

You ask some of the same questions I had before having towing experience.  I can't answer them specifically, but can share my experiences.

Our PC is on a 2007 E350 chassis.  Our first tow vehicle was a tiny 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder which had a curb weight of 2100 pounds.  Being so close to the 2000 pound legal limit (for most states back in 2007) for not requiring secondary braking, I setup our tow without it.  I was very surprised how such a light weight vehicle could push so very hard when braking the E350 motor home.  The difference between towing the MR2 and not towing was night and day.  So when we switched from the 2100 pound MR2, to the 4300 pound Jeep Liberty, I had no second thoughts about secondary braking.......It is an "Absolute Must".

As far as which braking system to install, there are many different ones and many people like the ones they installed.  And so here I am saying that I like our Unified tow brake by US Gear for it's ease of use and effective braking.  Installation is not easy and is considered a permanent installation to the novice.  But since I installed it myself, if we change tow vehicles, I will remove the system and install it into the next one.

BTW: Since you say you own a 2008 with a GVWR of 11,500 pounds, are you certain you own a 2008 chassis?  I ask because the 2008's GVWR is 12,500 pounds.  Your 2008 PC might be built on a 2007 chassis as is common practice.

It is very easy to tell if you have a 2007 or a 2008 E350 chassis.  If you have the current-day van front style, you have a 2008 chassis.  If you have the earlier style like mine has, then your E350 is a 2007.

Here is my 2007 front style.
The painted front bumper cover with fog lights was an extra Phoenix option so don't get confused about that.


Here is a 2008 which looks the same as a brand new 2017.

Ron

Waitasec -- I just figured this out.  I was looking at the wrong specs.  The 2552 is an E-450, which does have heavier brakes.  The 2551 on the E-350 chassis has a gross weight of 12,500, which is only 1000 lbs more than my 2007 2350.  I need the brakes.

2351 or 2551??

Hi Jjohnson & BlueBlaze,

I have every PC brochure published since 2007.  Putting the Sprinter chassis aside, going back as far as the 2007 model year (likely even farther back) models 2551 & longer have always been built on the E450 chassis.  Models 2400 and shorter have always been built on the E350 chassis.  You can special order a shorter model on the E450 for a slight up-charge, and so there are only a few in existence.  I recall once seeing a couple of 2551s for sale on the internet some years ago that were older than 2007 which were built on the E350 chassis.  I don't know when the 2551 changeover from an E350 to E450 was made.

Putting aside the differences between the E350 & E450, when it comes to chassis specs between model years, the 2007 was the last year of the previous generation with lower GVWR & GCWR ratings.  I believe the 2008 to current-day are the same, more capable specs.  Go through each model year and compare brake piston and rotor diameters, stabilizer bar diameters, shocks sizes, etc.

There are a few interesting differences between the big change from 2007 to 2008.  Nearly everything is a tiny bit bigger in diameter.  Also interesting is the E450 gave up the high durability drive shaft parking brake.  The parking brake mechanism has since been integrated into the rear brakes like the E350 which is like regular cars.

The next change between 2007 and 2008 is difficult to get an answer since I don't have a 2008 VIN number to input into Ford's on-line parts catalog, but.....The 2007 and older, the front rotors are one with the hub like a serious truck has as seen here.  I understand the 2008 to current-day are like typical cars where the rotor slips over the hub and studs.  But just maybe I am all mixed up.  I am getting older.  It is hard to keep up with all this stuff.

2007 E350 front rotor is one with the hub.


For reference, here is a 2007 E350 rear rotor looking to be just like typical cars, but instead it bolts to the inside of the rear hub from behind.


Ron