I have a 2008 F350 DRW 4x4 CC 6.8 V10.
I tow my steel 3 horse GN trailer that weighs around 8500# loaded.
It pulls it like a dream.
We now are going from Maryland to Wyoming and back.
Have offer to buddy up with a friend who has a full on living quarters trailer, empty weight is 11K, loaded will be around 15K.


Am I crazy? I know the truck will breeze with my trailer,, I am thinking towing the 15K trailer will be a whole different experience ??


Thoughts ??
Thanks for any input,


Nick

 

You will notice the weight difference, especially at higher altitudes. The truck is able to do it however.

 

I agree the truck should do it okay. You won't set any land speed records, but should be fine.

 

Depending on gearing the tow ratings are 14,000 (4.10) & 15,500 (4.30). So you're at the upper limits of the ratings. I take that to mean a couple things. It's rated to tow that trailer. Being near max you'll see performance decrements.

I towed just over 14k once with a dump trailer full of stone. I was more nervous stopping the thing. It accelerated fine but I was on mainly flat ground and short trips.

Hills will likely be a screaming experience (the engine, not you) but any rig maxed out will be that way.

Just report back your experiences should you tow this trailer.

 

I've pulled 20,000 combined load and trailer. Let me tell ya verry hard to stop and it was a pinto hitch. Done it 4 times and no more

 

Not the same, but the rv has the v10 and it is actually a towing dog IMO. The rig weighs in at 12200 empty (no water, low fuel) so I have about 2200 lbs to work with. We tow a small 2800 lb car just me and wife maybe 1000 lbs total added. Pull any hill and you are having to down shift and use tow haul as tow haul will not do anything in drive and then listen to the engine scream at 4500-5000 rpm. These are 4-6 deg hills in utah at around 6-7000 ft elevation. At 10000 I am down to 35mph max doing the above. I know some say these are tow monsters but I wish I could have gotten a diesel but the E450 is gasser only in late models. I am sure the truck will pull, but once in the hills be prepared. I did find adding some off road octane boost did help. It seems we averaged just around 8mpg this trip. Rig is 2012 (11 ford chassis) winnebago aspect so about 29 ft long not sure of rear gearing

 

I'll keep you updated.
But I have 4.10 gears, so 5th wheel maxes out at 14,100
Cant see me towing X country maxed out or over.


I'll keep you updated,,


Slack

 

shawn55 if you're having problems stopping it's not he weight it's the brakes. Be sure all brakes are up to snuff truck and trailer and that the brake controller set properly.

 

Slackdaddy, here is my experience towing our 5th wheel full time with my '08' V10 w/ 4:30 gears (5th wheel_14,680# combined 22,280#). Flat ground, rolling hills gradual grades it will hold it speed quite well I try to stay around 60-65 mph. I just moved from Albuquerque, NM towards Cortez, CO. RT 550 climbing from 5000-8000 elevations not a problem but this was a gentle climb most of the way and at the worst climb speed dropped to 55 mph. There was stretch coming out of Durango at 6,400+/- to 8,400+/- elevation this was a short steady climb and the speed dropped to 40 mph and held there. It doesn't bother me because it's a gas engine in higher elevation. If you can live with that off and on it's not bad at all, these V10s are beast for what they are.

 

Well kept in mind my F-350 crew cab has a 4" lift with 35" tires 3.73 gears. I know the lift and tires have a big part in why its harder to pull the heavy loads.

 

I tow an Airstream 31' loaded at 10,100 and and a bed full of camping crap. With my normal tool box stuff and a full tank, along with my replacement bumpers, my truck weighs in at 8500. I added 2 things, a 47 gallon Transfer Flow replacement gas tank and a set of Firestone air bags. The airbags aren't as necessary with a 5th wheel hitch, but nice to have with a bumper pull. I have had the Mike's 5 Star 89-performance/tow program in mine since I bought it in 2007, and it has worked flawlessly, plenty of power. Stock tires and 4.10 rear end.

 

I have a v10 myself but when I get over 12k I get out my king ranch dually with tow boss pkg and power stroke. It will be hard pulling that weight and u will get about 6mpg,

 

This will be an experience for you.
My V-10 Motor Home has 5.38's so I can easily pull a 20,000 lb MH w/ my 5,000 jeep in tow.
Your concern will be handling and safety in stopping.
This is a situation where the tail is wagging the dog.....the opposite of my set-up.
With 4.10's, you will be at the max of your stress point.
Drive reasonably, anticipate way ahead and enjoy your trip.
I expect your mpg's will be around 6 ish......

Just thinking....wouldn't hurt to have the trans fluid changed (if auto) as well as engine oil.

Let us know how you make out.

 

You have just defined why I have a Gasser and Diesel. I love driving the v10 with the boat and my small hunting trailer. But when I need to pull big trailer and for a long haul I use the diesel. The V10 can do it. My V10 has 410 gears so we our about the same.

Going up 7-8 percent grade above 6k feet is going to give your a new definition of somthing. Take it slow, I would not push the truck to long with that load.

 

Al in al I am vey happy the way the truck towed a 8-9K trailer, with 5 people and gear in the truck. I cruised at 65-72mph through ohio, il, Nebraska, hitting grades in Wy I was at 55-60, I think the 7500 elevation was hurting the engine performance.
Only issue I had was coming back in MD, I was closer to sea level and had good power, I was charging up the grades on I68 around 65mph and may have overheated my rear. I had a strong smell of 90W when I stopped after getting through the Cumberland area. (no drips or leaks noted)
Pulling the diff cover later this week to change oil and inspect.