Towing with a 351w, need help
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From: Harlingen,TX
Towing with a 351w, need help
I'm going to be moving this fall for college and adding up the cost of dorms and apartments there, I figured out getting a trailer would be cheaper (plus I get to keep it afterwards). My question is what is a reasonable size trailer I can pull with my 89 F250, has the 351w and C6 with 3.55 gears 2wd. I was looking at a 26 foot 5th wheel and weighs 6500lbs, and saw a couple of 28 foot travel trailers around 5000-5500 lbs. Would it be putting a lot of strain if i were pulling that 26 foot 5th wheel?? I know 5th wheels are heavier which is why im looking at the smaller sizes nothing bigger than 26 feet. Personally I would prefer a 5th wheel but I defininately wouldnt mind a travel trailer either. Here's the 5th wheel
2006 Cougar By Keystone 245 EFS for Sale - F202NB - PPL Motor Homes
2006 Cougar By Keystone 245 EFS for Sale - F202NB - PPL Motor Homes
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From: Harlingen,TX
Thats good to know, thanks! Ya i knew i wouldnt be getting good mileage seeing how i get 11-13 on average, with a heavy load i knew that would go down. Also is there more strain on the truck when pulling a gooseneck trailer rather than a bumper pull??
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From: Harlingen,TX
Ya thats what ive heard from others as well, but as far as putting more strain on the truck itself is there a difference? Gooseneck trailer is pinned right over the rear axle as for a bumper pull its not, so i was wondering if theres more strain in one over the other because of the different styles?
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From: Charlestown, RI
A heavier trailer will tow better in a gooseneck/5th wheel setup, because the weight is distributed differently. However, using a weight distributing hitch (which is highly recommended anyway) on a bumper pull, you can accomplish pretty much the same stability.
Since it sounds like you're going to pull it to a spot and leave it, it may be cheaper to get a bumper pull, along with a weight dist. hitch.
As far as the 5.8, I've towed 9k lbs with my 5.8 F150, on an 1100 mile trip. Hills were interesting, but speeds never dropped below 50. Would I do it all the time? Absolutely not! That was overloaded. But, the truck did it.
Since it sounds like you're going to pull it to a spot and leave it, it may be cheaper to get a bumper pull, along with a weight dist. hitch.
As far as the 5.8, I've towed 9k lbs with my 5.8 F150, on an 1100 mile trip. Hills were interesting, but speeds never dropped below 50. Would I do it all the time? Absolutely not! That was overloaded. But, the truck did it.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Harlingen,TX
Wow that's a heavy load!! I don't want to tow something that'll be a lot of stress for my truck which is one reason I could see myself choosing a travel trailer cause they weigh less than most 5th wheels, but I like the space and higher ceiling levels of a 5th wheel that you don't get in a travel trailer. As usual there's pros and cons to both. This specific 5th wheel I listed above is a perfect example
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