Looking at a 02 crew short bed, 7.3 auto...90% of the time would be towing around 5k or less which I know isn't a problem, but wondering if it would tow around 15k at 70-75mph on the interstate through hilly country and be happy? Only towing that much maybe twice a year, 600 miles round trip.

 

You will want to keep the engine under 2k rpm which well be just under 70 mph depending on tire size. Don't know what you mean by be happy, but it will tow it. You will at least need a 6.0L transmission cooler and hopefully the transmission isn't tired. Being a short bed, which style trailer hook up is the 15k trailer?

 

Gooseneck trailer...guessing I should have stated, will I be happy with the truck pulling that weight...know its a loaded question, just don't want to buy the truck and first time I tow real weight wish I had bought a newer truck with more hp/torque...i don't mind tuning/upgrading to get more power out of the 7.3 if thats what is needed

 

It will not be happy towing 15,000 lbs and if the truck is stock (tuning, turbo, injectors, suspension, etc) you most likely will not be happy. That is above the maximum towable weight based on the capabilities chart from 20 years ago.

I tow up to 12,000 lbs of 5th wheel and cargo cross country on a regular basis, but I have a mild PHP tune, upgraded turbo, ZF6 transmission, traction bars, air bags, etc...

If you are already having doubts about the truck, I think you already have your answer.

 

Kinda do, but wondering what people towing heavy think...it would be a secondary vehicle just for towing purposes..trying to determine if it would be acceptable on the heavy hauls the couple times a year I would do that.

 

Towed 17k once in a completely stock 00 f350 2wd cclb srw with a heavy flatbed 3.73, 265, 75 16, it was not happy at all, even in flat ground it struggled to maintain 65mph, and the suspension felt overwhelmed. I wouldn't do it.
15k might be pushing the envelope, just follow what your truck can tow/haul legally.

 

I just towed back my std bed scab 7.3 on a dew weight rated 3200# car hauler, with my 02 lb c.c. 7.3..so, I was in the ballpark of 17.5k...with 4.10s and 285/75/16 tires at 75mph...she did goooood

 

What all is done to your truck?

 

That sounds like total combined weight...

 

When you go over 11k you'll want a dually and plan on doing a lot of add on mods. You'll want 4.30+ gears for 15k #, traction bars, air bags on front and rear, massive sway bars front and rear, G rated tires, a tuner, turbo, bigger injectors, a beefier transmission, H&H mod, new shocks, new front and rear springs, overload springs, and mucho upgraded brakes. If the frame has any rust don't use that truck for the overweight load. And all that work wouldn't be for above 65mph with 15k on hills

And if that doesn't make you pause to think, you'll automatically be at fault for any accident while towing way over your factory weight limit and probably be dropped by your insurance company after a wreck or ticket, or sooner should they find out.

That said after all that work the truck will tow the weight. In a forward direction. Not happily with one finger on the steering wheel, but it will do it. Slower than you want. Assuming you still get it going @ 75mph expect mid single digit mpg and trailer tire failures. Stopping that much weight at that speed is a dumb gamble with a 250 or even 350 of our model.

Make sure and post your travel plans and dates for that load so we can avoid the same road. Have your family post the video after the wreck as a what not to do

 

Get a F450 if you wanna tow that much

 

Legally, GCWR is only 20,500 lbs. or thereabouts. Your pickup weighs 8,200-8,400 with fuel and you. That means 12,000 lbs. worth of trailer is as much as your insurance company will cover you for.

 

My 2001 is mostly stock with auto transmission. That said I can pull 10,000 pounds all day long at about 65 mph and depending on the terrain and weather I float around 9 to 10 mpg. I would not want to go heaver or faster but the truck is happy there. Every truck is different and every trailer or load in the bed is different. You need to find the happy spot for your rig.

Also I see it way to often and it gets folks in serious trouble... Just because you can get it moving does not necessary mean you can control it.

 

If the 15k load is a GN type of trailer, then you can look at 20-25% of the trailer weight on the hitch. So at 15k and using 25% you be just shy of 4k on the pin....that 2k per tire over and above the weight of the truck itself on the rear. I made a trip one time at 22k....same truck. It's an odd feeling that when the road curves left, that you have to steer right a little.....think about that.

 

From direct experience...all bumper pull with an Excursion (basically, a soft F-250)...

5k, no worries. Pulls fine.

10k 28' enclosed car trailer or 10k 32' travel trailer...I do that. You'll want a weight-disty hitch and maybe some truck mods (I have Roadmaster and Airlift). My best mod to date was 2017 F-250 take-off 20" wheels and Michelin LTX tires.

15k 38' enclosed auto trailer...I've done it, longest was from NJ to TX and back, but it's not something I'm particularly comfy with, especially in the rain. Me and the team agreed that I'm better off pulling the 32' 10k travel trailer and letting the guy with the new Chevy 1-ton pull the dual-car trailer. I can do it in a pinch if we have probs with the Chevy, but...

If I had a dually with modern ABS then pulling a tag 15k tag would be OK. But if that were to be a common thing I'd prefer a dually with a 5th wheel.