hi there, and thanks if you can help us figure this out.

our truck is an 01 xlt 4x4 cc drw long bed with 58000 original miles on her.
she has the 3.73 rear end and is an automatic turbo diesel with tow package.
there is just a bit of rust, we've replaced the bumper supports and see a tiny bit starting along the bottom of the doors which we'll address too.

anyway---from my research it appears she can safely haul up to 14000 lbs worth of fifth wheel camper.
however I have read in several places that these trucks actually have the ability to safely haul up to 20000 lb fivers in real life and wonder just how folks upgrade their trucks to achieve that number safely.
and even with camper brakes can it stop 20000 lbs?!

second thing we'd like to know is if this truck came though with heavy duty transmission and oil coolers---we assume so but you know what they say about that!

also tires---we have added trailer shocks in the rear, and the tires are
coopers-- discover AT3 120/116r with less than 8000 miles on them.
rims were replaced as they were aluminum and pitted so they are now used accuride steel rims made in canada.

I really don't want to replace the tires and/or rims unless they just aren't enough for the hauling the camper so hope someone will weigh in on them.

any mods or upgrades we should be thinking about to get the best performance out of our truck?

we intend to start exploring this amazing country as soon as we have this all figured out.
thanks very much!

 

If the tires are e-rated 10 ply then no need to change them Look at the side wall. Take the load rating for dual's. Muliple x 4 and then you get the idea of the load the tires will handle.

Next, look at the door cert. Door cert should have front and rear axle ratings. Don't exceed those or those of the tires whichever is less. That is for payload.

5th wheels and trailer that get pulled have a certain amount of king pin or tongue weight. That amount goes against the payload. Truck will carry this weight.

I generally figure 10% GVW of bumper pull trailers and 20% king pin wt for 5er and goosenecks.

Take the gross trailer wt. Not dry weight.

Here is a link for several years worth of towing guides. Your is probably pretty close to the 2002 year.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/

 

https://www.fleet.ford.com/TRUCKBBAS...1/campercd.pdf

When you look at the 2001 guide it says 11,900#, look at the guide for a 2002 it's 12,400#. I wonder what changed in that years time.

 

What warranty costs were for Ford. Something fails more than they anticipated and they cut the rating back.

 

First thing I would do is get the current truck on the scales. Aside from knowing the numbers from the towing guide, current axle and tire ratings on the truck that is the next step.

See what she weights fully loaded like you would travel (people, fuel and equipment).

I recommend a truck stop that will have a cat scale. Cost is around 10 bucks but it will give you steer and drive axle weight and then the total.

 

stock trans is not heavy duty,stock trans cooler is small,most replace with a 6.o,oil temp gage on dash is junk.