4 cylinder enough power??

[prcrampton]

I am considering using the transit as a video production vehicle. Being a 4 cylinder engine makes me wonder if it'll have enough power to haul heavy loads without getting bogged down. I'm guessing I'll be hauling around 6-800lbs. Has anyone had those lbs loaded in it, and if so how was the acceleration? 0-60 in days?? Thanks

[TCBob]

I have over 800 lbs of tools and supplies and have no trouble merging onto freeways or keeping up with or passing traffic at a steady 55, 60, 65, 70 mph. I really don't notice any difference between the Transit and my former Chevy Astro.

[FTCPNW]

Lack of horsepower is one of the biggest complaint I have heard about the transit. I don't think I ever have more than 500 lbs in this van but it has never seemed underpowered to me, I guess that's all about your driving style. I don't drive it like grandma but I also don't expect to win a drag race either. Under normal driving conditions this van seem plenty powerful enough, and it handles so well I leave the lead-foots behind in the corners anyway. If you need more power get a V8, but expect to get half the gas mileage.

[TCBob]

I just heard that a Telcom service company sent one up to Duluth Minnesota, but that it couldn't handle the steep hills in Duluth so they sent it back to Minneapolis.

[FTCPNW]

I just heard that a Telcom service company sent one up to Duluth Minnesota, but that it couldn't handle the steep hills in Duluth so they sent it back to Minneapolis.

I take mine over steep, snowy, cinder covered mountain passes with 11% grades. And I was impressed with how well it did. Plus I never even chained up. I'm curious how these other people drive, do they just mash the pedal everywhere the go? If you drive like that on a steep hill with a heavy load in a front wheel drive I could see how you would have problems.

[PetrosA]

I'm loaded over 4500 lb and under 5000 lb (not sure exactly how much at the moment) and it is underpowered in some situations. On hilly roads I have to turn OD off to maintain a steady speed since the gearing has some really weak holes in normal mode around the 45 mph mark (speed limit on lots of roads here). Getting up to speed from a stop with traffic bearing down is also a problem, as is crossing traffic when turning left on a four lane road - it's slow out of the blocks. I need about 12-16 seconds to get to 50 mph on a slight incline with it floored and screaming like a banshee. There are some hills around here that really challenge my TC - one in particular I can't get any faster than 35 mph on, and that's with a rolling start of about 25 mph. It's definitely a change from my Jeep Cherokee with inline 6 cyl. If you're looking for Fahrfergnugen, look elsewhere

Edit to add: I think in some cases, a manual transmission would help a lot, since at least some of the weakness is due to lag in the transmission downshifting. I've noticed that I need to actually floor the gas pedal at times to get it to downshift. It doesn't seem to want to do anything other than bog down until the pedal is actually touching the floor. Strange.

Edited May 30, 2010 by PetrosA

[PBXgeek]

I'm in telecoms; no problems so far. This includes San Francisco hills and Bay Area freeways where the traffic zips by and one has to get into the lane quickly. My typical load is a couple hundred pounds of gear: light & bulky. On a major install I might have 500 lbs. of additional equipment back there plus a coworker in front. The last big project we had, I can't recall any problems getting into traffic or crossing nasty intersections with a full load. For jackrabbit acceleration, nothing beats an electric car, but the 4-cylinder engine is a good all'round choice for range and efficiency.

[ncranchero]

I'm loaded over 4500 lb and under 5000 lb (not sure exactly how much at the moment) and it is underpowered in some situations.

Say WHAT?? Is that a typo? Is that vehicle weight across the scales?

I approach the 1600lb payload rating every Tuesday and yes, it's pretty much a dog! Empty or with very moderate loads it adequate, pretty much what you'd expect from any loaded I-4 automatic vehicle.

Edit to add: I think in some cases, a manual transmission would help a lot, since at least some of the weakness is due to lag in the transmission downshifting. I've noticed that I need to actually floor the gas pedal at times to get it to downshift. It doesn't seem to want to do anything other than bog down until the pedal is actually touching the floor. Strange.

The 1-2 shift has an unbelievable "hole" in it. I don't know who calculated out the gearing for this thing but they need to sharpen their pencil for future models. Better yet would be a 5-speed automatic. The "bog" problem seems to be common......I hate it!

[hollowwood]

I think that personal expectations will come into play on this question. I used to pull an 18' travel trailer with a tong weight of 1000 lbs. The rolling weight of car and trailer was just shy of 8000 lbs. My tow vehicle was a Diesel 4 cyl. Peogot Wagon. Total HP was 68 ! It had a 4:11 rear end and 3/4 ton rating. This was good for 18 mpg, but, I had to work to make it up the hills. With this in mind, my expectations will be a lot lower than some one used to a 5 lt. V-8. I also used a Geo Metro 3 cyl of 68 hp to pull an Artic Cat 660 cc Snow Machine of 64 hp on a trailer. I live in hilly NH and it did just fine, for me! For me, I think the TC will do just fine. It is due to hit the dealer this week.

[Mikeeshaq]

I tell people that inquire about my TC

It ain't a Cadillac [nice quiet smooth ride] (which I would never buy)

It ain't a Hummer [ pull / haul anything] (which I would never buy)

And it ain't a tin can with 4 wheels that gets 40 mpg (which I would never buy)

It is something in between that is just right for me!

[bluesdude]

I tell people that it's half rental car and half u-haul trailer. especially if they look at the rear axle.

Whatever it is, it works for me.

[mrtn]

I hardly ever fire up my Mazda 6, TC is much more fun and all-round utility despite the lack of power.