Notices
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Camper options

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 25, 2016 | 02:11 PM
  #1  
herdfan75's Avatar
herdfan75
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 3
From: Tornado USA
Camper options

I know this information must have already been discussed, but I can't find it. I have a 69 F-100 long bed, automatic, with a 390 engine. Very original and great running truck. I'm wondering what is the largest camper I can pull with the truck safely? I realize I'd have to install an transmission cooler, and I would run trailer brakes as well. I'm in the cusp of a divorce and I'm looking to buy a camper to take my two kids this coming summer as they both want to go. I think we can do a pop-up and be ok, but just wondering what my options will be.

Thanks all!
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2016 | 04:23 PM
  #2  
RichS2659's Avatar
RichS2659
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 249
From: North Pole, Alaska
Ford did offer a 3500lb hitch as an accessory for F-100/250's so use that as your guide.
72accessories_08
I can't find any other literature on truck towing. At this time period, station wagons towed trailers, and trucks hauled campers. One big factor at this time is if you just have 4 wheel drum brakes instead of front discs. That would not be good with a heavy trailer.

Here is an update from a 70 brochure:
http://fordification.com/library/mai...geViewsIndex=1
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 01:33 PM
  #3  
deckertd's Avatar
deckertd
Tuned
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 9
From: Benton City, Wa
Originally Posted by herdfan75
I'm wondering what is the largest camper I can pull with the truck safely?
Here's a pulling guide!

Dan
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2016 | 12:09 PM
  #4  
JEFFFAFA's Avatar
JEFFFAFA
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Originally Posted by deckertd
Looks like a 1953 Lincoln but with a Mercury hood. Heck of a pull for a 317 C.I. Y block.




317
The first-generation Y-block was the 317 cu in (5.2 L), which replaced the undersquare 337 cu in (5.5 L) flathead V8 on all Lincolns in the 1952 model year and was produced through 1954's.[2] The 317 was oversquare, as was rapidly becoming the fashion, with a bore of 3.800 in (97 mm) and a stroke of 3.500 in (89 mm).[3][4][5][6] Power output was 160 hp (119 kW); higher compression, larger intake valves, a Holley four-barrel carburetor, improved intake and exhaust, and a more aggressive camshaft the next year increased it to 205 hp (153 kW).[3] The engine was unchanged in 1954 except for the vacuum advance mechanism.[3] These engines used the same solid valve lifters as Ford truck engines, and were to power the "Mexican Road Race Lincolns". The 317 was replaced by the 341 for automobile applications in the 1955 model year.[2] Like the 279, the 317 was also used in heavy-duty truck applications for the 1954 model year only.[4]
Lincolns powered by the 317 won the top four spots in the Stock Car category of the Pan American Road Race in both 1952 and 1953.[2] In 1954 Lincolns took first and second place.[2]
 
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2016 | 09:07 AM
  #5  
herdfan75's Avatar
herdfan75
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 3
From: Tornado USA
Originally Posted by RichS2659
Ford did offer a 3500lb hitch as an accessory for F-100/250's so use that as your guide.
72accessories_08
I can't find any other literature on truck towing. At this time period, station wagons towed trailers, and trucks hauled campers. One big factor at this time is if you just have 4 wheel drum brakes instead of front discs. That would not be good with a heavy trailer.

Here is an update from a 70 brochure:
70rec-bro_p22
Yea, I still have four wheel drums, but just looking for a popup maybe...don't need anything really big for the three of us.
 
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2016 | 09:08 AM
  #6  
herdfan75's Avatar
herdfan75
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 3
From: Tornado USA
Originally Posted by deckertd
Hey! "The Long Long Trailer!" Love that movie.
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2016 | 03:52 PM
  #7  
JEFFFAFA's Avatar
JEFFFAFA
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Originally Posted by herdfan75
Yea, I still have four wheel drums, but just looking for a popup maybe...don't need anything really big for the three of us.
You might consider putting front disc brakes off a Dent on your rig.
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2016 | 04:23 PM
  #8  
351Cleveland C4's Avatar
351Cleveland C4
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Herdfan,
As someone who pushes a bumpside F100 to its very limits on a regular basis, I can tell you that anything up to 5,000lbs will be OK... Above that, and you at least need a WD hitch and strong trailer brakes.

It's not so much the overall weight, it's the distribution of it and the stability that are CRITICAL to having a safe towing rig. I don't hesitate to put over 5,000lbs behind my F100, so long as it's distributed properly with good brakes.

I had estimated This RV+trailer to be somewhere in the 10,000lb range if I remember correctly... it can be done, but.... this was a hard pull.
 
Attached Images  
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jmadsen
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
31
Apr 28, 2013 10:43 PM
dmanlyr
Large Truck
12
Dec 3, 2012 06:16 PM
badger_hound
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
41
Oct 14, 2011 12:59 PM
camekanix
All Things Towing
2
Mar 15, 2008 01:19 PM
ranger74
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Oct 11, 2004 11:01 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:29 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE