towing questions ?
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Senior User
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towing questions ?
Hi All,
I'm new to this site and just got another truck. This is my 2nd 1979 truck that I have owned, along with a few other trucks. My new one is 1979 F 250 4x4, Regular cab, long bed, 300 with 4 spd. and my question is what weight of trailer should I be able to tow with the 300 and 4 speed ? I'm not sure yet what the axle ratio is. Wondering what the rated towing capacity of it is listed as, and also what others with similar truck have actually towed with it.
Thanks.
I'm new to this site and just got another truck. This is my 2nd 1979 truck that I have owned, along with a few other trucks. My new one is 1979 F 250 4x4, Regular cab, long bed, 300 with 4 spd. and my question is what weight of trailer should I be able to tow with the 300 and 4 speed ? I'm not sure yet what the axle ratio is. Wondering what the rated towing capacity of it is listed as, and also what others with similar truck have actually towed with it.
Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
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From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Too many variables havent been specified to get the best answer......is the truck and its engine mostly stock, has the engine got a bunch of emissions control crap on it, do you plan on towing at freeway speeds, are you at high altitude, do you have a brake controller, or plan on adding one, or have a trailer with surge brakes? The more info you can provide, the more accurate your answers will likely be! its a heavy enough truck, with a torquey engine that a couple, three thousand lb trailer should be no problem in most situations, beyond that id want more info!
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Senior User
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engine has smog pump on it now, but want to remove it. low mile,68k original miles on truck and all stock. no brake controller yet but I do want to add one. will be mostly flat with a few hills on freeway mostly.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: New Mexico
Hi All,
I'm new to this site and just got another truck. This is my 2nd 1979 truck that I have owned, along with a few other trucks. My new one is 1979 F 250 4x4, Regular cab, long bed, 300 with 4 spd. and my question is what weight of trailer should I be able to tow with the 300 and 4 speed ? I'm not sure yet what the axle ratio is. Wondering what the rated towing capacity of it is listed as, and also what others with similar truck have actually towed with it.
Thanks.
I'm new to this site and just got another truck. This is my 2nd 1979 truck that I have owned, along with a few other trucks. My new one is 1979 F 250 4x4, Regular cab, long bed, 300 with 4 spd. and my question is what weight of trailer should I be able to tow with the 300 and 4 speed ? I'm not sure yet what the axle ratio is. Wondering what the rated towing capacity of it is listed as, and also what others with similar truck have actually towed with it.
Thanks.
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I'm also curious about the rear bumper on my truck. it has a step in it with a reese style receive built in to it underneath it with supports going out to frame. My question is , is it suitable for towing and if so what weight or should I change it out to a regular bumper with a standard receiver type hitch , class 3 ?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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A Reese hitch going to the frame should be fine. As far as towing capacity it would help to know the rear ratio. With 4.10's and 4 speed it should be fine to 6,000 lb if everything else is in order. Maybe more but not if you are in a hurry. Trailer brakes needed over 2-3000 lb. My 78 (400/C6/4.10) does fine pushing 6,000 #. I wouldn't be concerned up to 7-8,000 lb.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
Here's a picture of my '79 F150 4x4. I also have a 300 six, bone stock with the smog pump, and a four speed. I have 33" tall tires on it with 3.50 gears. I should mention here that I blew the bearings out of the bottom end the better part of a year ago with a bad fuel pump. She's been running on 20W 50 and Lucas oil additive ever since.
....tow whatever you want to. Your truck is tougher than you think.
and I'll tell you this..... NEVER tow a vehicle with a bumper hitch!!!! Even a good bumper hitch is only a class 2. You definitely need a class 3 frame mounted, receiver-type hitch.
....tow whatever you want to. Your truck is tougher than you think.
and I'll tell you this..... NEVER tow a vehicle with a bumper hitch!!!! Even a good bumper hitch is only a class 2. You definitely need a class 3 frame mounted, receiver-type hitch.
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Senior User
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the bumper / hitch that I have is a step bumper with a built in, or attached receiver hitch underneath it. I did find a similar bumper online and was rated at 8,000 lbs. hoping it will all work fine for towing a 4,200 lb trailer and I wont be in too much of a hurry.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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The spec sheet above doesn't cover every configuration, but I have a '79 F-150 2wd with a 300 6-cyl, an NP435 trans, and open 3.50 rear. With that setup, I personally have pulled 5000 lbs with no problems starting or stopping. I bought the truck from my old neighbor, who was the original owner and twice a year would pull a 10k boat with it. That was less than 10 miles to the marina in the spring and back again in the fall, but it did it.
At 4200 lbs, you should be fine, but don't take my word as an endorsement for exceeding manufacturers specifications.
At 4200 lbs, you should be fine, but don't take my word as an endorsement for exceeding manufacturers specifications.
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Bud_Wilkinson
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Jan 13, 2010 07:16 AM