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Will my F350 pull this?

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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 05:59 PM
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Will my F350 pull this?

I am buying a Sundowner Grand Sierra LQ 3 horse trailer this weekend, it weighs about 15,000lb EW and has a 36 foot box with 8 foot gooseneck. I will be pulling it with a Ford F350 diesel (7.3) / 4 door/4x4/auto trans/long bed, that I already have. Does anybody out there have a similar combo or the technical education of this truck to tell me if I can saftley pull it (and stop it).
 
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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 06:37 PM
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15,000 sounds alittle heavy for that trailer,Did you weigh it?
 
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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 07:38 PM
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Yeah I dont think it could weigh 15K empty...I see people with Z71s pulling trailers like that, yeah I know they are nice and have lots in them but 15K is a LOT. Plus Sundowners are aluminum which would make them weigh less. If you are talking loaded weight with your horses in it, your F350 should handle it fine. I have had that kind of weight behind my 99 many times with no problems whatsoever. It actually seems to enjoy the load! I am sure that trailer has good brakes on it so stopping should be no problem.
 
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Old Dec 19, 2003 | 08:35 AM
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Hey guy, so you are on this forum too !! Glad to see another horsey person over here asking questions about their F350.See ya in the posts. rimshoes
 
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Old Dec 19, 2003 | 09:12 AM
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does this trailer have electric brakes? you will be one dangerous person to be around near a stoplight if not...15k is pushing the bounderies of the truck and stopping it will be an interesting experience. my boat and trailer weight 12k and without electric brakes certain parts of my anatomy are likely to pucker when going down hill.
 
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Old Dec 19, 2003 | 09:16 AM
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Re: Will my F350 pull this?

Originally posted by cedarrockstable
I am buying a Sundowner Grand Sierra LQ 3 horse trailer this weekend, it weighs about 15,000lb EW and has a 36 foot box with 8 foot gooseneck. I will be pulling it with a Ford F350 diesel (7.3) / 4 door/4x4/auto trans/long bed, that I already have. Does anybody out there have a similar combo or the technical education of this truck to tell me if I can saftley pull it (and stop it).
This topic comes up a lot, and you'll get a lot of different responses.

Here's the by the book answer.

Your truck's GCWR has to be your determining factor. Check this link to determine your vehicle's GCWR and max. trailer weight ratings. https://www.fleet.ford.com/products/...r_F250_350.pdf


If the total combined weight of the truck, trailer, AND ALL YOUR GEAR exceeds that number, in many states, and in Canada, you'll be illegal as you drive down the road. In addition to possible fines and delays, you could be subject to lawsuits or have your insurance voided should you get into an accident. Serious stuff.

That being said, many people do tow at slightly over their GCWR, and very few have problems, for the most part, these trucks are a little under rated and they can handle it.

Basically my advice is this. Determine what your fully loaded rig as you'd be driving down the road weighs in relation to Ford's GCWR rating. You can do that by finding a certified scale at a truck stop, gravel pit, landfill, etc.... Then make sure you know the laws in your state and anywhere you plan on travelling regarding overweight vehicles.

Waxy
 
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Old Dec 19, 2003 | 09:20 AM
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For what it's worth (obviously I'm not an attorney)
Ford's own staff is pulling a 20,000 lbs (actual weight, not gvwr) trailer around the country with an F350 dually.

It's the powerstroke display trailer, maybe some of you have seen it.

Anyway, trailer brakes are very important with any trailer over about 6k lbs.

15k is kind of a round number and I'd imagine that's off the info placard of the trailer (meaning that this is gross vehicle weight rating, not "as it sits" weight).

I wouldn't have a problem pulling it with my F350, but...better weight it first. Also, if your state is likely to make you weigh in...you could be in trouble.
-T
 
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 12:12 AM
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15K empty - no way!
 
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Old Jun 10, 2004 | 12:24 AM
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I have a 99 f350 srw 4x4 at 7.3 .I tow a 40' weekend warrior 5er loaded with toys and water and fuel station,I weighed in at the truck scales truck and trailer combined weight total 25820 .tripple
axle electric brakes stops fine with prodigy brake controller on boost 3 setting. 7% grades i maintain 55mph or less and pay alot of attention to traffic.
 
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Old Jun 10, 2004 | 12:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Strjock81
. Plus Sundowners are aluminum which would make them weigh less. .
not quite, they have steel frames and Aluminum boxes.

my Sundowner 727 3 horse slant BP weighs in at 4300 empty 9000 loaded with 3 big quarterhorses , water, tack, feed and tools
 
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 01:12 AM
  #11  
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hey i would make sure the trailer has a good brake system, pulling is no problem its the stopping that needs all the help you can give it like a good brake controller ,exhaust brake,with torque converter controller.and there is another product that looks good its called the brake gaurd its advertised in trailer life magazine.
 
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 10:37 AM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by cedarrockstable
I am buying a Sundowner Grand Sierra LQ 3 horse trailer this weekend, it weighs about 15,000lb EW and has a 36 foot box with 8 foot gooseneck. I will be pulling it with a Ford F350 diesel (7.3) / 4 door/4x4/auto trans/long bed, that I already have. Does anybody out there have a similar combo or the technical education of this truck to tell me if I can saftley pull it (and stop it).
Will the truck pull it? Yes I pull a CM 4 horse with living quarters (See Gallery) that comes out to about the same size. Yours may be a bit heavier dry, but I can't believe the 15,000 lbs. Anyway my 6.0 F350 pulls it great as did my 2000 7.3. The important thing is the brakes.

Bob
 
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 01:26 PM
  #13  
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Its Probably 15k Gvwr
 
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 10:24 PM
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Exclamation

So ~13k lbs is all you are suppose to pull with a 5th wheel on a F250 w/6.0L ?? I am sure I was reading that wrong. I have a gooseneck trailor that weighs 6200lbs empty. I put a JD 7410 tractor w/bucket and mower on the trailor. Tractor scales 14,600 and the mower is 2800lbs and when added to the trailer weight that is real close to 24k lbs. I have a couple 10k dexter axles on the trailer and they everything pulls great. I balance the weight out on the trailer and make sure the tractor is pretty much on the axles and the mower is on the front of the trailer. It is all the 6.0L will do to get started out but pulls it just fine. Tranny never gets hot but the fan does run quite a bit. Works like it is suppose to I assume. Just wondering if that is way to much legal weight or what?? DOT does not seem to matter .. pass them all the time on the side of the road watching and waiting.
 
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Drake12
So ~13k lbs is all you are suppose to pull with a 5th wheel on a F250 w/6.0L ?? I am sure I was reading that wrong. I have a gooseneck trailor that weighs 6200lbs empty. I put a JD 7410 tractor w/bucket and mower on the trailor. Tractor scales 14,600 and the mower is 2800lbs and when added to the trailer weight that is real close to 24k lbs. I have a couple 10k dexter axles on the trailer and they everything pulls great. I balance the weight out on the trailer and make sure the tractor is pretty much on the axles and the mower is on the front of the trailer. It is all the 6.0L will do to get started out but pulls it just fine. Tranny never gets hot but the fan does run quite a bit. Works like it is suppose to I assume. Just wondering if that is way to much legal weight or what?? DOT does not seem to matter .. pass them all the time on the side of the road watching and waiting.
All I can say is, I hope you have good insurance.

Waxy
 
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