I have a 2008 CC LB V10 F250 with 4.10 gears and AT. I currently tow a bumper pull toy hauler with a 4 wheeler in the bed and weighed in at 18,300, with the water empty and me not in the truck (I figure I'm right around 19,500 with full water and my weight added in). I don't have any trouble at all towing my current setup, and am well within the weight limits on the truck (9800 GVW/21000 GCVW). I am looking at a fifth wheel toy hauler that would be around 13,500 fully loaded (I know my truck is rated to 13,900 for a fifth wheel so still within ratings) and have had a few people question whether the truck would handle it well. I know it's only a couple thousand more pounds, and I don't have any trouble going 70 if I want to (normally keep it to 60 or less though) and am wondering if anyone has any experience towing near max weight with the V10? I know the motor can handle it but want to make sure with the gearing it'd be ok ( I know they put the motor in 450's but they have lower gears and beefier rearends).

Thanks for any input.

Forgot to mention that I figure my trailer right now accounts for close to 11,000lbs of the total weight (based on CAT scale).

 

I like the 4.10 rear and don't think it will make much difference in your towing. More important are the tires on your trailer and your truck. If your trailer comes with ST tires, replace with LT tires with an E rating and fill to the max rated. By doing so you will lessen the probability of a blow out and the trailer will roll easier. Same with your truck, E rated. I like Michelins, but there are some others that are good.

 

I have Cooper E rated tires on the truck and would have to see what comes on the trailer (this would be a future purchase but I like to do my homework ahead of time to know what I should be looking for). Our current trailer has E rated 10 plys (all tires on truck and trailer are just over a year old). I'm just wanting to make sure I'm not going to be stuck with those in our group with old motorhomes who are underpowered and lugging it up hills at 30mph. Right now I can pretty well maintain my speed up the hills (I'm in Utah so there are some steep hills around) and I know in my previous Excursion it couldn't hold speed pulling our current trailer uphill (it had the 2V V10 and 3.73 in addition no tow haul mode, so there are a lot of differences).

 

I tow at 24,450 on the scale which is pretty much at the limit. My rear axle is still 500 pounds under max so the balance is good. Not sure I would want to take it over the rockies but like you, I can go 70 mph with relative ease in overdrive. I do wish I had 4:30 gears or even 4;56 but this set up does just fine so I just can't justify the expense. I also have a 5star 93 octane tune.

 

That answers my question then I just wanted to make sure I'd be ok. I have an SCT livewire tuner I bought but it was locked from the previous owner so I might needto finally cough up the $150 to unlock it before moving to a bigger trailer, just in case. I'd also be going from a bumper pull to a 5th wheel, so thst might make a difference as well.

Thanks for the information.

 

You'll still want to look at the trailer tires and change out to LT's instead of the normal ST's. Also, Mike's 5 Star SCT in an 89 octane performance/tow is a big step up from stock.

 

I'll make sure to check the trailer tires when I get it (it'll probably be a while since I haven't found any used versions of the trailer I like and I can't justify the $40K price of a new one for the 15-20 nights a year we spend in our trailer). In the mean time I'll have to unlock that tuner and see what it does for my current towing setup, and I'm thinking I'll want airbags since I don't have the overload springs. Boss08V10-What kind of setup do you have for suspension towing that load, and what has made the biggest difference in how it handles the load?

 

100% stock Ford Motor Company F350 rear springs. It does have over loads and hardly touches them. To be honest I have not altered the truck at all. I did have to increase the gooseneck hitch length one bolt hole. My truck is 1 1/2 inches higher then Classic trailers specs that it should be. I can tell you that you have to plan gas station stops very carefully. I did have a little trailer to truck bed incident the second day I owned the trailer which makes me very weary of approach angles. Just for your info the trailer is a 2004 Classic Dominator, 42' long triple axle.

I would add that my truck rides like a lumber wagon empty and a Lincoln when hooked up to the trailer. I tow this trailer 250 miles one weekend per month from May to Sept. I get about 6 mpg because I am not retired and my weekend time is limited so 70 MPH is pretty common plus the truck in OD likes 70, that is where the rpm's are about 2100. I wish at 65 the rpm was about 2450, that is the sweet spot. I would put smaller dia. tires on but I just like the look of the stock 20 with this size tire.

With a 5th wheel RV you should not have to worry about any of the box to trailer clearance issues.

 

Pulled home a 30,000 pound g/n more than a few times with my srw 06 f350, the tires and suspension are pretty much maxed out rolling over the scales at 37,000#s and with the rear axle less than 2in from the stops they have never touched the stops! I have no concern for the trucks ability at this weight but I need to get a way heavier license on my truck and get a oversized load license that ='s $$$$ to be legal and the g/n hitch in the truck is dose a bit of flexing with that much weight and will need to be upgraded.

 

It's reassuring to know my truck will be fine with the added weight. Ford sure does know how to build a truck for hauling a load! This is my 3rd ford truck I've owned (4th if I count my excursion) and I'd never buy anything else. I've never been left stranded by any of them and love the way this one handles.

 

Contact Mike and get the Tow tune for your Livewire. Even on 87 octane it is a nice improvement over stock.