ballpark figures please!
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New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 11
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From: Atascadero, CA
ballpark figures please!
Hello everyone!
I'm looking to buy a 74-77 F250 supercab to pull a camp trailer and a boat. Since I don't have the trailer or the truck yet I was wondering if you all could help me to make sure my idea of the truck I want will work. I will probably want to get a 20-27 ft. trailer from the 70's or 80's (these will be more in my price range), and the truck will have 2 adults with 3 small kids plus gear. Do I need to look for a truck with "Camper Special" or "Trailer Special" or will regular 3/4 ton work? Would a certain engine be better for towing in regards to torque, or should I go with bigger is better? Also, would a truck like the one I want have a good shot at having disc brakes already from the factory? The boat I have is about 16 ft. or so, 1962 Larson All American with origonal MERC 700. I don't think it weighs more than 1500-1800 pounds so this shouldn't be a problem. What do you all think?
Thanks for any replies!
I'm looking to buy a 74-77 F250 supercab to pull a camp trailer and a boat. Since I don't have the trailer or the truck yet I was wondering if you all could help me to make sure my idea of the truck I want will work. I will probably want to get a 20-27 ft. trailer from the 70's or 80's (these will be more in my price range), and the truck will have 2 adults with 3 small kids plus gear. Do I need to look for a truck with "Camper Special" or "Trailer Special" or will regular 3/4 ton work? Would a certain engine be better for towing in regards to torque, or should I go with bigger is better? Also, would a truck like the one I want have a good shot at having disc brakes already from the factory? The boat I have is about 16 ft. or so, 1962 Larson All American with origonal MERC 700. I don't think it weighs more than 1500-1800 pounds so this shouldn't be a problem. What do you all think?
Thanks for any replies!
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
ballpark figures please!
A regular 3/4 ton should be fine. The Camper Special and Trailer Special are better because they come equipped with anti-sway bars and super cooling packages. Don't pass up a SRW 1-ton if you find one either.
For engine's, yeah, the bigger the better. Axle ratio and transmission are an important factor too. Ford's mimimum axle ratio for heavy-duty towing is 3.54. 3.73 or 4.10 axles' are better for towing if you can find them. Back then, Ford's recommended transmission for towing was the C-6 automatic. And still is a very good choice IMHO, when equipped with an external cooler.
I don't know when Ford trucks became standard equipped with front disc brakes. But I once had a '74 F250 with front disc brakes, 3.73 axle, C-6 transmission and 390 engine. It was a pretty good tow vehicle for our 22' travel trailer.
When looking for a travel trailer, look for one 5,000# gross weight or less. The older trucks were only rated for 11,500 -12,500# maximum GCWR.
Scott
For engine's, yeah, the bigger the better. Axle ratio and transmission are an important factor too. Ford's mimimum axle ratio for heavy-duty towing is 3.54. 3.73 or 4.10 axles' are better for towing if you can find them. Back then, Ford's recommended transmission for towing was the C-6 automatic. And still is a very good choice IMHO, when equipped with an external cooler.
I don't know when Ford trucks became standard equipped with front disc brakes. But I once had a '74 F250 with front disc brakes, 3.73 axle, C-6 transmission and 390 engine. It was a pretty good tow vehicle for our 22' travel trailer.
When looking for a travel trailer, look for one 5,000# gross weight or less. The older trucks were only rated for 11,500 -12,500# maximum GCWR.
Scott
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,297
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From: Billings MT
ballpark figures please!
Ok, let me see if I get this straight.....
You want to pull a camp trailer and a boat at the same time?
If you are planning on towing one at a time, then ignore me.
You will need a 1 ton to do that and the trailer will have to be a fifth wheel to be legal in the lower 48 states. Most stated do not allow duplicate hitches, i.e. a bumper pull TT and a boat. The hitches have to be a combination like 5th wheel and ball and hitch.
My father-in-law pulls a 22' AlpenLite 5th wheel (3900 lbs) and an older boat(forget make) that is 19' with a 96 F250 Powerstroke. It's not really a lot of work, but a 1 ton would be better.
Also check with local DOT and wherever you might be travelling for over all length if you are doing the combination thing. Most states are about 65' from front bumper the last point on the trailer(this includes props, etc).
Other than the fact that I might be confused, I totally agree with horsepuller.
I have 4.10 gears and love them.
You want to pull a camp trailer and a boat at the same time?
If you are planning on towing one at a time, then ignore me.
You will need a 1 ton to do that and the trailer will have to be a fifth wheel to be legal in the lower 48 states. Most stated do not allow duplicate hitches, i.e. a bumper pull TT and a boat. The hitches have to be a combination like 5th wheel and ball and hitch.
My father-in-law pulls a 22' AlpenLite 5th wheel (3900 lbs) and an older boat(forget make) that is 19' with a 96 F250 Powerstroke. It's not really a lot of work, but a 1 ton would be better.
Also check with local DOT and wherever you might be travelling for over all length if you are doing the combination thing. Most states are about 65' from front bumper the last point on the trailer(this includes props, etc).
Other than the fact that I might be confused, I totally agree with horsepuller.
I have 4.10 gears and love them.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 11
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From: Atascadero, CA
ballpark figures please!
Thanks for the replies!
Not sure if I would try to pull both, at the same time, but might consider it if I had everything set up right legally and most importantly safely. Thanks for the information, jbalestri, on that. Horespuller, what does IMHO mean when your talking about the C6 and also SRW when referring to the one ton?
Thanks again for your help!
Pete
Not sure if I would try to pull both, at the same time, but might consider it if I had everything set up right legally and most importantly safely. Thanks for the information, jbalestri, on that. Horespuller, what does IMHO mean when your talking about the C6 and also SRW when referring to the one ton?
Thanks again for your help!
Pete
