Anyone know what the towing capacity of a 57 f350 is. I got my grandfathers old truck and it is just sitting here atm, but I have an opportunity to start a mobile catering business and need to see if this truck would work for hauling the trailer we are looking at. I am really not up on specs or anything as we just got it and no info on it. I have been told a 292 is under the hood.

 

I don't know what the factory tow rating would have been for that truck - but whatever it was, you can be sure that it was rated for the truck as "New" with fully functional brakes, suspension up to par, engine and driveline producing maximum thrust, etc..

Before thinking about towing anything with it, I would get a full review of all the suspension and brakes in particular - then make sure the engine, clutch and tranny are up to the task.
Certain modifications would be very acceptable and a requirement of mine - double reservoir (modern) Brake Master Cylinder and a 12volt system (that is what your trailer brakes run off of unless they are surge brakes)..

Even in top condition, I don't think I would want to trust it for towing more than 5,000# and with that, the trailer would need brakes on all wheels.

Those were good workhorse trucks in their day - but their day has come and gone...
They are great trucks for light duty work and for weekend cruising..

 

Not sure if it matter or not but this is not a pickup version it has a 14 foot flat bed with duallys. The truck is being worked on as we speak with heavier suspension

 

IIRC the '57 already had gone to 12v systems.

 

It's probably an F-3 and with that designation, it's 'real' truck not like today's version and probably has a 6" stack of spring leaves plus a couple overloads. It will probably haul anything you can hook up to a hitch - but at what speed. Most of these older and fairly heavy duty trucks with dual rear wheels were not set up to run highway speeds with rear axle ratios in the fives and occasionally 6's, a four speed transmission with a 'granny' low. Then there is that engine - what is it? If lucky, a 292 but most had the 272? Neither is enough to pull a very heavy trailer very far. Now, with an engine and transmission transplant, better (much better) brakes, cooling system improvements, a decent rear axle ratio and power steering you would have a conversation piece plus something that could haul most any trailer. Oh and luckily it is 12volt (generator, not an alternator) as Ford went that way in '56.

 

my best guess would be mid 1990s with 351 or 460. i had a 1963 f350 when i first started and it had a 260 v-8 with 160hp. about 55mph was about it after that it was a handfull to drive. i could pull 10k-12k fine with it but i upgraded brakes with booster. it was fine pulling that load but about 50-55mph was it, it had plenty of torque and the gearing was very low, i think it was a 5:67 ratio.
i done fine with it but you have to keep in mind you had to take your time.