Ohioan Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 I'd like to get a 2014 to 2016 TC LWB wagon for our family's next vehicle. But, I'm a little worried about the engine being powerful enough. I've ridden in an early 90's 4-cylinder Ford Ranger on freeways through the mountains of West Virginia, and that thing just could not keep its speed going uphill. It had a cap on the back and was probably 2/3 full of stuff at the time, and would drop from 65 or 70 down to 45 or 50 on long uphill climbs. Had to turn the flashers on and we had semi trucks passing us. Does anyone have experience driving a loaded TC uphill at 60 to 70 mph? Is the 4-cylinder able to keep up its speed when needed? Also, I noticed that the GVWR is only something like 1,000 to 1,200 pounds above the curb weight for the LWB version with rear seats. Does Ford not realize that 5 American adults can easily get to 1,000 lb? Am I reading it right that if we had all 7 seats filled with people it really can't handle any other weight? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenryan Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 All vehicles have a gross weight rating. It is one of the specifications you need to consider when deciding, for example, between a small van and a full sized van. Seven fatties might weigh close to 1600 pounds. On the other hand, a petite soccer mom hauling 6 little kids might only weigh 500-600 pounds. Different missions may require different vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Four fullsize Americans? Nope. Look at something at least double the engine size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beta Don Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 (edited) I don't have any problem maintaining the speed limit on any hill towing a 1500 pound trailer IMO, the 2.5L mated to the 6 speed automatic is an ideal combination with plenty of power yet it gets me 28+ mpg on the highway Don Edited February 14, 2018 by Beta Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohioan Posted July 26, 2018 Author Share Posted July 26, 2018 (edited) While it's likely that few people will read this, we did go ahead and get a LWB 2014 Transit Connect Wagon. We've been happy with it -- it's big enough for our family of two adults, two kids, and a dog, it has good gas mileage, and the power is good too. We've driven it with every seat filled and a car-top carrier to hold luggage for an overnight trip, and didn't have any problems accelerating or keeping pace on the freeway. We've driven it down country roads with a kayak strapped to the roof rack, and didn't have any problems. Ours does not have a tow rack but I don't really feel comfortable towing something on a regular basis with a 4-cylinder. As much as I have confidence that the van can get itself and the stuff in it where we need to go, I wouldn't want to tax it with a trailer as well. Also I recently looked up the old Ford Ranger that was mentioned in the original post, and it only had like 100 HP. Come on Ford, why would you put that in any kind of a truck? This van gets 169 HP and probably has a much better transmission as well, and the difference is night and day. Oh, and this is replacing a 2007 GM SUV that had some nice luxuries but was terrible in terms of reliability. Also really happy with the gas mileage and amount of space in this one compared to the 3-row crossover. Edited July 26, 2018 by Ohioan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 12 hours ago, Ohioan said: Also I recently looked up the old Ford Ranger that was mentioned in the original post, and it only had like 100 HP. Oh, and this is replacing a 2007 GM SUV that had some nice luxuries but was terrible in terms of reliability. Let's say that you bought that GM about 10 years ago, and you bought that Ranger 10 years before that........technology has changed a lot in 20 years. The last time that I owned anything 4 cylinders was back when little 4 cylinder engines had no power......70's, 80's, 90's vintage 4 cylinder cars were terribly underpowered in comparison to today's technology. Think bac to that 1st Mustang, with a 2.8L inline 6, and 105 HP. On 2/14/2018 at 11:47 AM, kenryan said: Seven fatties might weigh close to 1600 pounds. On the other hand, a petite soccer mom hauling 6 little kids might only weigh 500-600 pounds. All depends on what your fatties weigh, and how fat your soccer mom is. I've had different sized people in the van, and haven't had any problems yet. But none of my passengers weighed over 250 lbs. If you have a load of 7, 300 pounders, then that adds up to 2,100 pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osco Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 On 2/14/2018 at 3:09 PM, mrtn said: Four fullsize Americans? Nope. Look at something at least double the engine size. Remember, this van was designed, tested, vetted and built In France, 4 full size french people not a problem, WE Americans as a whole love to eat, In excess LOL I have no problem tucking in with the big trucks while climbing the Cumberland gap ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 As a passenger wagon, my Transit Connect works fine. I can cruise along @ 80 MPH, and climb hills. Cargo van loaded and towing may be different. But so far, nobody fat enough to drag the van down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beta Don Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 2 hours ago, Osco said: Remember, this van was designed, tested, vetted and built In France, 4 full size french people not a problem, Don't know about the Gen 1 version, but the Gen2's were made in Spain Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 3 minutes ago, Beta Don said: Don't know about the Gen 1 version Turkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Nickels Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 My readout on the OBD2 says Turkey. That doesn't mean the entire car is built there. Maybe it's partially assembled in Turkey and Spain. Both countries known for fine automobiles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 (edited) On 2/14/2018 at 2:42 PM, Ohioan said: Does anyone have experience driving a loaded TC uphill at 60 to 70 mph? Is the 4-cylinder able to keep up its speed when needed? It works fine! Edited October 26, 2019 by G B L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osco Posted November 6, 2019 Share Posted November 6, 2019 Turkey, Espania, France,, Not the USA don't remember where I read It was France, I prolly got it off the Internet ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osco Posted November 6, 2019 Share Posted November 6, 2019 On 10/26/2019 at 9:02 AM, G B L said: It works fine! When I was hauling 800 ish pounds on the back, or even a thousand I'd use manual shift, If I remember right 4th gear @ 65-70 mph got me up in the power curve sweet spot. My 2.5 twin cam always has loved to rev. I'm comfortable pulling 4,500- 5,000 rpms,, some people are not I would think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillMartin Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 (edited) On 10/25/2019 at 2:48 PM, Beta Don said: Don't know about the Gen 1 version, but the Gen2's were made in Spain Don I believe my Gen 1 was made in Turkey. It is neither as refined or as powerful as a Gen 2, but it does just fine over mountain passes and pretty much anything else I do with it so far. Edited December 22, 2019 by WillMartin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.