I have a 1995 f-250 heavy 3/4 ton 4x4 with a 460 and the 4 speed automatic overdrive transmission, with a 4:10 rear axle. I show my vehicle weight to be 5100# with my extended cab. I am looking to tow a 5th wheel with a dry weight of 11,200# putting my total weight at 16,300#. According to my manual I can tow !2,500 with a total combined weight of 18,500#. I have a K & N intake system currently. Although I am with in my limitations I was wondering what experince any others may have had with similar heavy towing and what are the best dollar for power ways to increase the towing weight.
Thanks, Kevin

 

Many people will probably disagree with me, but my thoughts are you need to find a US Gear underdrive to fit between your trans & T-case to let you split your gear choices. I tow right at 20k, and there are not enough gear choices. You have about a 1000 rpm drop between gears. You need to check www.usgear.com & www.ringpinion.com for a lot of answers. Hope this helps.

 

Elliot,
Thanks for the reply I will look into that link.
How similar is your truck set up to mine, and I am assuming you went with the underdrive?

 

Surfer Joe; my vehicle is a 1989 E350 cutaway customized 5th wheel puller. 460, E4OD,4.10, 215/85X16. I have a Tac, Vac Gauge, and temp gauges for the trans & rear end. Also have a remote trans filter, deep transmission pan, factory oil cooler & HD trans cooler.

I want to get rid of my duals, and go to 12.50 X 16.5 with a 3.54 rear end. Since my E4OD is dying, I'm looking at going to a Roadranger RTO 6613. (13sp). With the new rear end & tires, I will tac about 2100 @ 60. With the extra gears, I can get moving with the higher rear end, and still beable to crawl around camp-grounds without slipping the clutch.

If you go to www.ringpinion.com you can fill in the blanks, and from what I have found with my tac, the results are right on the money.

On my rig I have found that I get the best fuel economy running the engine right around 2000 rpm. Hence the need for extra gears & the rear end/tire change.

One thing I forgot to mention, is that your truck/camper dry weight is not important. What it weighs ready to go camping IS!!
You need to weigh the rig, because I'm betting you'll be close to 18K loaded.

Hope I have been helpful.

 

In my opinion when you start towing loads that are that close to your trucks maximum, you need to upgrade to the next larger size..You would be better off in the long run towing a trailer that has a dry weight of 11,000+ pounds with at least a one ton truck..When you get that trailer loaded with water, LPG, your stuff, you will be over your trucks maximum safe towing capability...An F350, 3500 with dual rear wheels would be a much better and safer choice..

Metro2

 

I have a 1997 F250 Heavy Duty 4x4 with a 460 and 4:10 rear, and 5 speed manual transmission with overdrive and 285/75R16 tires. My 5th wheel is only about 7000 lbs loaded but I did pull a friends for him to some mountain property and my truck did fine. His 5er was 14000 lbs. I don't know that I would want to pull a load that big all the time, in the mountains, but my truck is none the worse for wear. Good Luck!