Tow rating ???
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New User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: La Vernia USA
Tow rating ???
Hello,
I have a 1996 F-250 PSD 4X4 with a 3:55 Rear end and 5 spd manual tranny can anyone figure out my towing capabilities...i've looked in my manual but can't figure it out and i don't want to screw up my truck....!!!!
I have a 1996 F-250 PSD 4X4 with a 3:55 Rear end and 5 spd manual tranny can anyone figure out my towing capabilities...i've looked in my manual but can't figure it out and i don't want to screw up my truck....!!!!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
With a 3.55 gear ratio you have a light duty f250. This may be how its listed in the manual. The trailer towing capacity listed in the manual for my 94 bronco is like 8800 lbs (351, E4OD, Trailer package, factory tranny cooler, and factory oil cooler), so your 250 is probably in the range of 10,000 or 12,000 lbs. Hope this helps with either a reference point, or to help you decipher the ford manual. All Heavy duty f-250 had 4.10's. You manual may list them as different for light duty and heavy duty. It Shoildnt make a difference as far as the manual or automatic, but ford sometimes rated the manual transmissions as lighter duty for no real reason.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
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From: Running Springs CA
The reasons for the 3.55 gears instead of 4.10 are:
1. Diesels produce peak torque below 2000 rpm, unlike gas engines.
2. The 5-speed on a heavy duty has a "granny" low gear to get heavy loads moving. 5th may not be an overdrive ratio.
The Gross Combination Weight is probably at least 20,000 lbs. If the empty truck is about 6000, people, fuel and gear no more than 2000, that leaves 12,000 for the trailer. The information is in the manual, but can be hard to interpret.
1. Diesels produce peak torque below 2000 rpm, unlike gas engines.
2. The 5-speed on a heavy duty has a "granny" low gear to get heavy loads moving. 5th may not be an overdrive ratio.
The Gross Combination Weight is probably at least 20,000 lbs. If the empty truck is about 6000, people, fuel and gear no more than 2000, that leaves 12,000 for the trailer. The information is in the manual, but can be hard to interpret.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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I have an 1988 F250 with C6 and tranny cooler and 3.55 gear, it came with a 6 ton hitch so I would assume 12,000 lbs towing capability.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: La Vernia USA
Towing`
Thanks a million guys....
I still would like definate confirmation on the capacity but i'm looking at the trailer weighing about 6500lbs no more than 7500-8000 for sure.
1996 F-250 PSD 4X4 3:55 manual 5 speed tranny
I still would like definate confirmation on the capacity but i'm looking at the trailer weighing about 6500lbs no more than 7500-8000 for sure.
1996 F-250 PSD 4X4 3:55 manual 5 speed tranny
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Senior User
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I have the owners manual for my 96 but it is a little hard to figure it out. Spend some time studying it. They even give you a method for figuring it out for your specific combination of equipment'
I believe the ratings are lower for manual trannies because the auto has a much easier time getting a big load started from a dead stop. I may be wrong but aside from the difference in the two types of trannies I think the rest of the components (springs, brakes, axles, etc) are the same.
I believe the ratings are lower for manual trannies because the auto has a much easier time getting a big load started from a dead stop. I may be wrong but aside from the difference in the two types of trannies I think the rest of the components (springs, brakes, axles, etc) are the same.