Newbie here... Questions on pulling heavy
 

Hi guys,
I've been lurking for a couple months now and every time I think I start to answer my questions, I read a little more and get re-confused and more frustrated.

I just retired and my wife and I are planning on doing a little traveling during the next few years. My thoughts initially were to get a new 5th wheel and a Ford diesel and take off. The more I read about the 6.7 diesels and the issues with possibly getting bad fuel, and some other problems, along with hesitation of Ford's warranty policies, more expensive and involved maintenance, and diesel fuel cost, I have researched myself out of wanting anything to do with that hassle and potential expense.

Now I am thinking.... go with the gas 6.2 and the 4.30 gear. Sacrifice a little mpg but keep things simpler and cheaper in the long run. 85% of my driving will probably be non-towing shorter trips.

My problem is, the 5th wheel we've decided on will have a dry weight of about 12k lbs. and after adding "stuff", I'll probably be around 13.5k loaded. I have no idea where we'll be going but I'm sure at least some of our travels will have us in western states mountains. That is my dilemma. My research has brought me to many similar discussions about towing similar weights and the majority of responses say.... You NEED a diesel. But I don't know if diesel owners are just cheering their own team, or is it true. Maybe I'm the one out of touch. I know the gasser will get lousy mpg, and going up mountains will be running higher rpm's, and lower gears.

Am I on the ragged edge of what should be expected from the 6.2 / 4.30 combo. Is it a matter of .... yes it'll do it, but it won't be pretty and you'll probably regret the choice of powertrains. Do I need to forget the 14k lb. trailer and go back to something lighter. Really don't want to start the trailer search again, but don't want to end up with a bad truck-trailer combo either.

Sorry for the lengthy post, just trying to lay out the scenario.
Any advise from someone who has been there will be appreciated.
. . . . . Thanx

Welcome to FTE!

Hopefully those pulling 5ers will chime in, but pulling a dump trailer at 15k lb and another at 16,500lb's up a pretty steep hill, I have no doubt the 6.2 can handle what you're asking. There's videos of both runs (along with videos/timings of other Ford motors, diesel and gas) below.

August 28th (2011) meet:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nd-videos.html

Here's the recent June 3rd Ohio thread (link to results in it):
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-june-3rd.html

FWIW - the videos do that hill no justice, it's steep...

If you had said you're retiring and you'll be towing the 5er 24/7, yeah, the diesel is the way to go, but for your 15% towing, I think the 6.2 will be fine.

My trailer is about 8500 loaded, pulled behind my 250 with the 62, 430s, and 34" tires. Unless working a grade, I can't feel the load. I think you'll be happy with the gasser.

Awesome vids 2000. A little mechanical waterboarding to brighten our day. She sure does sing a wicked tune.

OP ... Welcome to FTE!:-wink

IMHO...rather than looking at the dry weight and extra 1500 lbs added...why not work the GVWR of the 5'ver??? After-all...that is your max limit with the 5'ver...

5'ver concerns:

1. Pin weight. What is it?

2. GVWR. What is it?

Not only does this help with the 6.2L choice...but will assist with the F250 or F350 question. Again...looks like with that kind of weight...you will be better off with the F350.

Good luck...and please post back you decision.


biz
:-X22

To answer your questions....

the GVWR of the 5'er is 14k
X 20% = 2800 lbs.

I was sort of planning on the f350, but since you brought it up, would the f250 be sufficient with air bags added ? I know there isn't a lot of difference in ride quality anymore, but if the 250 would work, I'd rather go for that. It would be a couple inches lower.

:confused:

Then I read an article like this and it might as well be written in Chinese.
Caution – Why Truck Tow Ratings don

You'll be over your trucks GVWR with the pin hooked up, but if you're not concerned about the legalities of it all (always a controversial issue), the truck will pull/haul it fine. Air bags will be a must.

How come you're not interested in the 350?

I'm sure you have the numbers correct with GVWR on the 5'ver, but to think the weight dry is 12k...seems heavy. For a 5'ver only being able to carry another 2k lbs reaching the max GVWR at 14k. That is unusual...IMHO.

Regardless...IMHO with a 5'ver at GVWR at 14k...it would be best to go with the F350. To keep it a legal tow. You will benefit with air bags with either SuperDuty.


Good luck...

biz
;)

Saw this thread and thought I would chime in. Matt's 6.2 with the 4.30 gears is a winning combo..you saw the vids. He was faster at the top end of the hill then I was with the 6.4.

Your only issue will be those long runs and having to keep your foot in it.

It boils down to the long trips. Short trips the 6.2 no problem but for 2-5K runs you will want something that you can place it on cruise control.

Biz . . . you are correct.

The actual posted dry weight of the 5'er is 11076 lbs. in the brochure, but I want to add dual pane windows and a second a/c unit. I've read the dual panes add about 800 lbs.(which seems a little on the high side to me) and I figure the a/c is another 100 lbs. That's how I came up with 12k.

I don't think I'll actually add another 1500 lbs. of stuff either, but I'm using these numbers just in case.

I don't have a problem going with the f350 if that's what is needed.

My primary concern is, will the 6.2 /4.30 be enough grunt to safely run through the mountains out west.
This won't be an every month occurrence, but it'll happen a few times.

I hope I can still use cruise! Maybe not while in the mountains, but on long stretches of flats.

Thanx for any input . . .

I know I'm probably over thinking this, but anytime I start thinking about spending this kind of money, new truck and new 5'er,
my brain does funny things and my hair starts to bleed.

You'd be crazy not to over think it in my opinion! :-X22

I pull a 11k fifth wheel and just went from a 6.0 diesel to a 6.2 gas F250 shortbed. It pulls great! Low maintenance, cheaper fuel, and I am getting about 10 mpg if I take it easy. I truly don't think you'll be disappointed.

Post some pics if you got 'em. :-X22

Here is mine. The trailer runs 13.5 to 14k loaded depending on the trip. Pulls good with the 6.2 /4.30's. Rolling hills and flats. I haven't had it in the mountains yet.

Nice!

Do you have air bags on your truck or is it just sitting level with the factory setup?