Hello, purchased a Ford F250 Crew Cab 5.4L V8 3.73 in Dec 2012 with 19830 miles. Awesome truck and loving every minute of it. Had a 2003 Diesel Excursion which was my favorite but had to part with it due to a divorce...needed $$$. Anyway my question is I know towing weight is 9100lbs for this truck but......what are your thoughts on getting a fifth wheel, pin weight 1825lbs, dry weight 11,840, GVWR 15,825. When I purchased this truck I had a boat that I use to pull with my dad's truck. It is a 2004 Rinker 270 Fiesta Vee. With the weight of the boat and trailer it is close to 12,000lbs. The truck does not have any problems pulling it. I, how, never looked at the towing weight of my truck until I was thinking of getting a fifth wheel ( getting rid of boat ) and to my surprise it said 9100lbs. Thoughts on what to do. Like I said I know its over weight but can the truck HONESTLY handle it? not really wanting to buy another truck. Thanks in advance.

 

ndeidrick , welcome to FTE.

Yes, the truck can honestly handle this. I have towed 12,500 with mine (see signature) without any issues. Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done safely.

BUT

You will not win any races. You will not climb any grades easily. Expect downshifting. Mountain passes will be 3rd gear and floored, but that won't hurt anything.

You'd be MUCH better with 4.10 gears installed.

You should install air bags.

Also, your pin weight is very low. It should be close to 1000 pounds heavier.

 

I had a 2006 F250, 5.4 with 3.73 gears. Heck of a good truck.

I parted with it because it was not strong enough for the 5er

 

she'll be just fine with that load. it will just take you an awful long stretch of highway to get up to speed. let the motor rev and do it's job.

pics?

 

Thank you everyone for the answers. I really appreciate it. I feel a lot better. I have to resize my pictures so that they upload but I will get some pictures up. That is a very good idea to change ratio to 4.10. I did see how much more towing you can do with that ratio. Also too with the airbags!! Thank you again. I will keep everyone up to date with what happens. Got a nice picture with the truck pulling the boat just got to get it uploaded......

 

very nice truck!

 

This is the same thing which happened to me. I have towed about 13000 without any failiure. Its all about trucks, we are not competing with Ferrari's and Lamborgini's to race. I haven't installed air bags and I have done it for 800 pounds in Truckers Assist. These guys are too good in truck towing service.I have to check for alignment and Tyre position to avoid issues in towing.

 

You might even decide, as long as you're changing the ratio, to install a 4.30 differential ratio instead. The cost will be the same. It won't seriously hurt your fuel mileage, and might even improve your mileage while towing.

We look forward to seeing the picture and reading about your towing adventures.

 

Ndeidrick- have you thought about any tow tunes it may help wake up the 5.4 with the 4:10 or 4:30 gears like redford talked about, good luck with whatever you decide.

5star tuning is a sponsor here check out the 5.4 thread down below or the v10 thread

 

I have a 2002 5.4 (2 valve, your 3 valve is more powerful) and pull 8000# loaded 24' trailer. I pull through the mountains of West Virginia and it does a good job. However, the drone from the motor revving at 4500 rpms on the high, long grades gets a little old.

I put some of that engine noise on the headers. The motor was quieter with manifolds for sure!!

I have the 4.10's and sometimes wish I had 4.30's so if you are going to do a gear change, I recommend the 4.30's. I also have a tow/haul tune from Mike @ 5Star and it makes a HUGE difference as the motor will really wind out and not shift prematurely dropping you out of the powerband.

I think your truck has a tow/haul mode already but mine only has "OD off" which, btw, I do have "off" when towing...

My only issue is I have a Supercab and we have outgrown it so I am considering replacing the old girl now - and may even go diesel!!

 

Your truck will pull the load fine. When you go up hills your truck will drop to a lower gear to maintain momentum. I have a 2008 F350 Crew cab with 5.4 and 4.10 gears, I pull a 12000# Fifth wheel on vacations with no problems at all.

 

He is talking GWM 16000lb pin 3000lb I think this to be over trucks specifications and a hard pull most wood say dually diesel.