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Old May 13, 2012 | 08:35 PM
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tow capacity

Hello,
I currently drive a 2008 F250 with a 5.4L. I was curious what anyone thought about the tow capacity. I know it says approximately 9800lbs but wondered with I could go over this with towing a 5th wheel? The camper I'm considering, once everything loaded, would be about 12,000lbs. What are your thoughts?
Thanks
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 10:21 PM
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Ehh........ I mean... yeah.. but....
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 10:34 PM
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It should be but, Ehh


Do a search, the subject has about 1768 topics.
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 10:45 PM
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It depends on your equipment.

My 2007 5.4L F-250 4x4 Super Cab with 3.73 gears is rated at 9300 pounds bumper pull and 5th wheel. I've towed at that limit without any problems. I would change to 4.10 gears if I was towing on the west coast, but out here on the flat lands the truck does fine.

Don't let the people that have never towed with a 3V 5.4L engine tell you what you can't do.
 
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Old May 13, 2012 | 10:47 PM
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Originally Posted by redford
Don't let the people that have never towed with a 3V 5.4L engine tell you what you can't do.
FWIW, I have towed with a 3V 5.4, hence my "yeah, but eh.."

Granted, I live on the west coast.
 
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Old May 14, 2012 | 07:15 AM
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Wait - did I miss something ?!?

it's rated @ < 10K and you want to know if you can tow 12k ?!?

Please be sure and register your travels so we know where to avoid as I'm worried about a few pounds over on ONE axle !


Is this your old tow vehicle?
http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Workshop/Overload.htm
 
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Old May 14, 2012 | 04:57 PM
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It's not how much you can tow, it's all about what you can SAFELY stop. I can pull a dozer on a trailer, it's how to get it stopped is my concern. Laws of physics, E+MC2, body in motion remains in motion. inertia, etc etc.

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - phantomphixer's Album: Death Trap

Per the link, he's towing it. Getting it stopped????
 
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Old May 14, 2012 | 05:12 PM
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Don't do it! Sure it will pull it, your gas pedal will spend alot of time on the floor, but think about the axle strength, tire load range, and other possible factors that come into play. The safety of you and your passengers, and the other folks on the road are what you should think about. If you break something at highway speeds you can do alot of damage in a hurry. If you want to tow a heavy fiver, invest in the right equipment!
 
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Old May 14, 2012 | 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by phantomphixer
It's not how much you can tow, it's all about what you can SAFELY stop. I can pull a dozer on a trailer, it's how to get it stopped is my concern. Laws of physics, E+MC2, body in motion remains in motion. inertia, etc etc.

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - phantomphixer's Album: Death Trap

Per the link, he's towing it. Getting it stopped????
Brakes will not be an issue. The brakes he has on his truck are the same brakes on the F350. Those brakes are rated to stop the F250/350 with over 15,000lbs hooked to back.

But even changing the rear end, that little 5.4 will be doin some screaming pulling that much weight. Along with changing the gears, you might also want to consider a tune from 5Star Tuning and have it programmed to lockout OD when using Tow-Haul (not that it would see it that much).

S
 
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Old May 14, 2012 | 06:44 PM
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It will stop just fine. The 5.4 is a strong little motor. I had one in an 06 F250. I towed 8K with it all the time. I can see it doing 12K as well. But it is not going to be an easy tow.

You will have your foot in it so that you stay in the 3-4K rpm range or it will just slow down on you.

Hills will be a bear as well.

When you get to your destination you will be a tired puppy because you will really have to drive the truck to manage that load.

If it was just around the corner then maybe but more than a couple of times I'd be upgrading to something with somemore torque.
 
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