Hello all--
I am thinking about getting another camping trailer. High on my list is a 5er. 30'-32' Super-lite models, previously owned. 10,700# MAX GVWR. 4 passengers (2 adults, at times 5. Passenger weight approx. 650#, fuel 300#, TW approx 2000#. My trucks GVWR is 9200#

Here is one 5er I am considering:
2008 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 31.5 BHDS Stock: PG0088 | The RV Spa


My previous previous towing experience was with a '05 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L CTD and a '98 OBS 7.3L. Both towed very well. The 7.3 not as powerful as the 5.9L, but I was in no hurry. Both were reliable.

I asked this over on the towing forum and received some feedback. Many responses in that section are towing with newer trucks and many with diesels.

The input I seek is from real world towers out there towing with OBS gassers. I like my truck because its paid for and I can do much of the maintenance and needed repairs myself. As I get older and wiser, I am not interested in taking on another $700-$900 new truck payment.

Questions:

1. Are the OBS trucks just too old for long distance towing (ex. 2000 mile trips)?

2. Are they reliable tow vehicles if maintained properly?

3. Weaknesses and Strengths of our trucks for towing described weights and distances?

4. Towing pros and cons with our OBS ...with TT vs 5ers?

5. Any other input you'd like to add....

Thanks!

 

honestly ur truck will pull just fine if u know what ur doing, weirdly enough that trailer weights almost as much as my horse trailer fully loaded, 8500 pounds. And im pushing 37s with that trailer. But these trucks can do long hauls all day long theres a reason why ford kept going with the 7.3s and the suspension is very tough and can handle the abuse, the newer diesels just ride smoother and are more cozy. So if everything up right and tight on you rig your go to go for long hauls, thats what these truck were made for even back in the 80s. BUT keep in mind all 3 motor companies gota slap on the hand for way over rating there trucks in the newer models. So i wouldnt underestimate your older truck on tow rating. like the new f150 having 10k GVW hah yeah right itll do it but very poorly

 

Your truck will tow it fine. But I would add a trans cooler and trans temp gauge.

I would also take it out of OD as you start on ANY hill. The 3.55 gears are the limiting factor with your rig. 4.10s would be MUCH better

 

1. 2. Only you can answer that. It seems from all the post i have read pertaining to your truck it is in good shape.
3. Gas and lack of good factory tow mirrors.
4. TT vs. 5ER Apples and oranges. Something that long I would rather pull a 5er.
5. Get your new toy hook her up and enjoy. You have your trans temp gauge hooked up with a trans cooler so keep an eye on the vitals and truck on.

 

oh yeah agreed if u gota a auto tranny, beef it up with a oil to air cooler and shift kit, and do flushes every 30k with towing

 

SoCal, I second Brad with the 4.10 if your trailer will be that heavy. They can be had for cheap 200-400 and are a fairly quick swap on these trucks (especially here in socal where we don't have real rust issues). With a taller geared rear you can easily get moving, although your gas mileage will suffer a bit.

 

My OBS has 3.55s if I was towing 2000miles I'd regear in a heart beat 4:10s and an LS rear cuz you're 4x2, but if I needed to I'd hook up and pull it today as the old boy sits.

 

Thanks! I think I'll try with the 3.55 gears and see how she does. I just hate losing the extra mpg, especially when towing is only maybe 10% of the trucks use

Yes, I have the added Tru Max trans cooler and gauges (water, trans, volts) and a new radiator to boot!

 

You'll be fine towing with 3.55s, just be willing to take it out of overdrive on hills or with a strong head wind (3.55s in Drive are the equivalent of 5.00:1 gears in OD).

Camper mirrors were mentioned as a weakness. I can't see in your avatar what mirrors your truck has, but here's a thread on the cheap and easy way I made my mirrors into decent camper mirrors. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-mirrors.html

 

Um... I think you have that backwards. It would be the equivalent of 2.55 gears... (3.55 x .719 = ~2.55)

 

Definitely going to consider a 4.10 with LS. I will try with what I have and see how she does. Not 100% on this 5er just yet....still looking at other 5ers and TTs.


Since I launch my boat on sometimes slippery or not in great condition ramps, I would like to have a locker. So, if I go locker, I would need to look into a gear swap/locker combo that would give me a locker and 4.10.....and that does not require selling a kidney to purchase!

 

Your cheapest way out would be a complete 410 rear with factory LS. You could rebuild the clutches in it before installi g.

 

No, I said that 3.55:1 gears in Drive are the same as 5.00:1 gears in OD. In other words 3.55 x 1 = 3.55 (3.55 gears in drive) equals 5.00 x 0.71 = 3.55 (5.00 gears in OD). The point being that dropping out of overdrive with 3.55 gears gets you a LOT better gearing than 4.10s in overdrive.

I've hauled a slide-in pop-up camper and towed a Jeep with a 351, 3.55 gears and an E4OD in an F-150. Total weight (including the truck) was about 11K. Granted, that's not as much wind resistance as a big fifth wheel, and it's less weight than the OP is talking. But it's also a 351, not a 460. And I had absolutely no trouble on the freeway. I just had to drop out of overdrive a little more often than I would have with 4.10s.

The biggest downside to towing with 3.55s actually is starting from a stop. You'll put more heat into the tranny (a cooler was already recommended), and you won't get up to speed as quickly. But for a truck that's driven unloaded 80% of the time and the OP doesn't want to lose mileage for the majority of his driving, I'm pretty sure he'll find that the 20% towing goes pretty well with 3.55s.

 

Automatic lockers aren't that great towing. When you go around corners a locker has you driving only the inside tire. With a conventional trailer you end up spinning that tire a lot as you try to start a heavy load. With the heavy tongue weight of a fifth wheel you might not spin as much, but it's a lot to ask of the one axle shaft and tire.

For a truck that's going to do a lot of towing I'd go with either a True Trac or a selectable locker. Either will let both tires share the load when starting around corners but still help on a boat ramp. Or a factory-style limited slip which won't help as much on the boat ramp but might be a lot cheaper.

 

If I went TT, it would be something like this.....




2012 Used Keystone BULLET 281BHS 2 Full Rear Bunks at Murrieta Creek RV, CA, IID 11930923