I'm in the market for a 1997 F250 that I will use to tow a 5th wheel trailer.

Any thing I should be looking for when examining trucks prior to purchase that are related to towing?

Any parts that wear out quickly when towing?

Thanks!

 

automatic trans & coolant additives lol kurt

 

Make sure the GCVWR (gross combination vehicle weight rating) will allow you to tote that 5'vr. Remember this, If you tow a vehcle combination that is over the GCVW of the tow vehicle and get into an accident (even though it is not your fault) you can and will be held liable for future litigation not to mention a big fat ticket at the very least.

 

Check the front end. Mine went bad at 56K. The trans was bad when I got it at 52K, because it was used for plowing. How heavy is the trailer?

 

The GCVWR has NOTHING to do with the LAWS of ANY state & will NOT get you sued or a ticket.
This is an old wives tail that CAN NOT be backed up. I wish the people that keep spreading this hogwash would try to find JUST ONE case where it happened BEFORE they say it.

 

I'd still check with the local laws and the laws of anywhere you are going to be traveling. Here in PA they are starting to crack down on pickups pulling trailers. My goose is lisenced at 14,500 I had to combo register my truck at 23,300 to meet the 8,800 on the truck and 14,500 of the trailer. Even though my laden weight is around 11k.
What I'm trying to say is the truck needs to be lisenced for the CGVW of the truck and trailer or you risk $$$$ for not being registered properly and if you do end up over weight a fine for being over weight.

Back to the truck; a working EBPV makes a great exhaust brake wether you do the "at home" or buy the controls. I like my auto, nice for in town, an extra trans cooler is a must. I try to keep away from trucks that people have already put mods on, never know how it's been ran. Also make sure the springs are strong enuf, sags never look good or handle well.

 

The trailer is around 11,000 pounds. I will look at the front end. I'm hoping to find a used 1997 truck that has had the transmission/torque converter already replaced.

I understand that parts wear out under heavy use, just trying to understand what those parts are, so that I can inspect them.

Thanks!

 

And an EMPTY F250 sc 4x4 would be overweight (& therefore unsafe??) registered at 6000#'s like I have seen in many places. It doesn't matter that FORD says the GVWR is 8800#'s

The people that drive those overweight trucks don't get sued. Although they DO sometimes get tickets.

 

I don't even know if you can register a 250 down to 6000, I thought 7000 was the limit (class 2). With a light weight of around 6,050 theirs a few pounds to play with but not much. The question is why in the world would anyone want to lisence the truck that low??? If you don't want to pay the $$ for it registered properly then buy a car.
They may not get sued for driving overweight, but IF you get into an accident it opens up the doors for lawyers to sue the pants off ya. Because you are knowingly driving illegally, wether you vehicle can do it or not it is deemed "unsafe" because you are past the recommeneded safety limits. Wether it be by the manufacturer, state, or fed gov't.

 

If You Dont Need 4 Wheel Drive I Would Suggest A 2 Wheel Drive Dually. With A 5 Speed. Not Sure They Offered That In A 250.

But In A 350
They Made A Reg Cab Dually
Super Cab Dually (yes They Made One)
And A Crew Cab Dually.

Just My .02

 

Although I am not opposed to a 350, I don't see (or perhaps understand) the need for a dually.

The 350 and dually configuration is so that the BED of the truck can handle a heavier payload. But when towing a 5th wheel, I am looking at a fixed and relatively light kingpin weight over the BED and truck axle. The brunt of the weight is on the TRAILER axles.

Am I missing something or an unknown advantage with the 350? The towing ratings, in terms of 5th weight pulling, seem to be the same on the Trailer Life guide whether the truck is a 250/350.

 

the only differnce between the 250 and 350 is the grvw and the front axle the 250 has the ttb dana 50 and the 350 has the solid d60

and yes if you are overwieght you can get a ticket, just like a semi and if you wreck when your negligently overwieght your insurance company can refuse to cover you.
happened to my buddy, haulin cattle feed trailer wieghed 29,000lb behind a dodge dually, combined he was a little over 37,000lbs, he got a ticket from the state troopers for almost $5000 and his insurance company didnt cover it because of gross negligence.

ive got 12,000 behind my truck about 5 days a week towin the horse trailer and it safely stops it and handles safely. i run the occasional short trip with hay runnin right around 20k on the trailer but that goes slow and short run.

yeah i wished i coulda got a supercab dually in 4x4 made a 2wd but no 4wd. if my rig ever got wrecked i would get a supercab dually, put a 6speed in it make it 4x4 make extra cab doors.......

 

I do believe that the brakes are also a little different. The 350 is oversized I THINK....but not sure. I know my dad has a 250, and its a 99. I have a 97 350 dually. He can outrun me empty, but loaded, I can pull his doors off..... Not to mention, once you have the dually and pull something even close to heavy, youll never go back....

 

Essentially the 350 dualy and 250hd is the same truck, the only thing that I have come across that is different is like mentioned, the front diff on 4x4 models, 2ndly, on the dually's..............the rear drum brakes, the shoe is the same diameter but the shoe is wider, 3rdly, different suspinsion package, but slightly just for haulling more payload.

As for handling, pulling a fifth wheel with a dually in a cross wind is more stable that I've been told by a few 5ers. I dont pull a fifth but I out handle any truck pulling a trailer or empty compared to a SRWD truck.

I have an f250hd converted to a dually, love it love it love it. I dont have to get the truck safty inspected every year where I am at in Canada compared to a f350hd, as for insurence, I count my lucky starts that I dont have to register my truck to payloads

 

I agree with david, they are the same trucks, but you will get a more stablity with your trailer on a dually. I have a 95 250 2 wheel drive and I'm pulling dump trailers on the bumper(not stock) with up to 14,000lbs(trees) + 4,000(trailer). Now will I let my old lady or my helper drive that? HELL NO. You should be able to safely haul 11,000 on a 250 no problem, As long as the weight is well distributed. I think if I were to let other people drive it,( wife, father-in-law, ect,..) I would get as stable a platform as I can. As far as the law? 100,000lbs on a ford ranger is legal as long as you don't have a pot to **** in, and they don't have a lawyer to take it from you.