Econoline Vehicle Weight

Gross Vehicle Weight

Gross Vehicle Weight (G.V.W.) is the combined weight of the vehicle, cargo, and passengers. It is total weight if you put the Econoline on a scale. The gross vehicle weight listed on the data plate is in pounds.

Many states charge a different registration fee based on the gross vehicle weight. The assumption is that heavier vehicles wear out the road faster than lighter vehicles, so they charge more.

The gross vehicle weight of the passenger vans was not listed on the data plate, since they were classified as cars or station wagons, which usually has a less expensive registration fee than the trucks.

The gross vehicle weight on Econolines was anywhere from 3,300 to 4,930 pounds.

Payload

The Econolines came in three different payload capacities.

Payload is the total weight of cargo and passengers that the vehicle is designed to carry.

• 1/2 ton was the base model, and was designed to carry 1,000 pounds in cargo and passengers.
• 3/4 ton was designed to carry 1,500 pounds in cargo and passengers.
• 1 ton is the HeavyDuty model, which was designed to carry 2,000 pounds in cargo and passengers.

Additional payload capacity was gained by installing larger tires or stiffer springs. The 1-ton Econolines also had thicker steel in their frame.

In mid-January 1961, Ford started installing a ballast (weight) above the gas tank. The GVW is different for Econolines manufactured without the ballast. Ford recalled the early pre-ballast Econolines for a dealer-installed ballast and a replacement of all four leaf springs.