Does anyone have an opinion on this? I have a 99 F-350 V-10 with a factory tow package. It has 250k miles on it. How much more strain would pulling a 14k trailer be versus hauling a 2500lb load in the back? I've been reading the OD questions and wonder if this would be a problem. I have never taken it out of OD when hauling a load in the bed unless it sounds like it is really straining up a hill. Will a 14k trailer be middle ground for this truck? I can't quite figure out what its' gross combination vehicle weight is. (the tag is worn away)


edited to change trailer weight

 

I would guess your trailer tow capacity is something like 12k and probably more. I think this website has tow ratings.

Towing in OD is usually OK unless the tranny hunts gears. If it hunts, then downshift.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Thank you Jim

 

I believe GCWR is 20,000. How much you can tow depends on your truck, if it is 4x4, ext cab, etc.

 

Moving the weight is the same whether it's in the bed or towing it, you're still moving a fixed amount of weight.

As for 14K, that's about the limit for your setup, probably over. A 350 CC LB V10 Auto weighs about 6,200 empty; add people and gear, and let's say you're at about 7k; If the GCWR is 20K, that leaves you 13k to tow. The GCWR depends on your gears. What gears do you have?

look at my gallery to see what I tow.

 

I pull 16k with a 460, f350 no problem!!

 

I have a 2003 F250 diesel 6.0. We just had a 3-horse gooseneck special built, w/living quarters, approx 10,500# unloaded.. My horses approx 1300 lb each.

I'm wondering if I should add another leaf spring, or have Superlift Superduty air bags installed, or if I'm safe to pull as I am? I do not have a dually -Assistance would be appreciated!

horsewoman

 

As far as overdrive is concerned . I would leave overdrive off wwhen pulling a very heavy load. Transmission really has to work hard in that overdrive gear even if there is enough power. Dont do it while your towing. Turn it off before towing. Your transmission should last quite a bit longer.

 

horsewoman, the question about the extra leaf in the springs is kinda dependant on how much the truck drops when you load it up. If it drops a bunch then you need an extra leaf, if the weight is back over the trailer axles and it does not drop much you do not. The dually would give the truck more stability side to side and help keep the tires cooler on a long haul with lots of weight.

If you can load the rig up and have a place you can weigh the truck, see what kind of weight you have on each axle.
Some places have scales you can weigh each axle and have to add them together to find your gross.
Others have long platforms that weigh the entire truck and trailer.
On the long platforms just get the gross and then pull the front axle off the platfom.
Gross - front off gives front axle loading. (20,000 - 16,500 = 3,500) 3,500 on the front axle

Take that number, then pull up till the rear axle is off. (16,500 - 9,500 = 7,000) 7,000 on the rear axle
And that leaves 9,500 on the trailer axles.

Now if you are planning to make long hauls down the interstate at speed, take the 7,000 pounds on the rear axle. Both rear tire needs to be rated for that much weight or more.
So each of your rear tires must be rated for 3,500 or more. If they are not you will overheat them when you run down the road for 2 or 3 hours at 60 or 70 MPH and risk a blowout.
If you are just running down the road 20 or 30 miles just drive a little slower and it will be OK.

 

Awesome - I plan to go to the East Coast from Texas this summer.. 8-hours at a stretch. Drove straight through to Kentucky last summer -21 hours.

Where did you find this math? My tires are rated at 3500 lb each. I WISH I had gotten a dually, the idea of a blow-out on the rear with a 14-15,000 lb, 30 ft horse trailer and live animals behind is NOT something I want to experience..

The trailer MFG says the King-Pin weight is 2100 lbs - unloaded, 3,000 lbs max loaded... but he's estimating this based on 20% of the trailer (10,500) and loaded trailer (15,000).

Ford would NOT add a leaf-spring for me... I talked to the mechanics directly, and a supervising trainer.. they all said the same thing...essentially I have a F350 already -it just says F250 on the side. (same BS I keep getting from their literature).
The top-dog-training-honcho began to produce Ford literature ... Which was also conflicting, showing that my max tow capacity was 12,000 lb, 12,800 lb, and 14,200 lb! He slipped the information showing 14,200 lb back in his folder, and would not give me a copy...

Anyway -I know you've been through that argument a thousand times probably, but Ford told me to get the air pillow shocks instead ...and be a good girl.

Your info helps alot - Can I ask another question? I have 80 psi tires with 3500 lb capacity. Can I beef them up another notch? Will the air pillow shocks be the answer? Should I go to a 4x4 aftermarket and install another leaf-spring?

Thank you so much!! (my horses thank you too!!!!)

 

I would think that your tires sholkd be fine, I pull 20" stock with 8 horses init 16000lb+ on a regular basis, we have 65 psi ties I cant go look and tell you what they are rated for, cause they ar not here now, I have never had a problem. And this is on the high way and rough rough, 4x4 rocky roads. as far as a exta leaf. see if when it is all loaded if it is level. I bet in that 250 you already have overloads on it. if you looking the back wheel well there should be an extra spring on top fo the stack that looks like it is sort of floating there, if when your trailer is hitched up and truch loaded the over load should not quite be touching the at the and of it, if you have them you should be able to see what I mean, if not it's hard to disscribe. if the over load is touching at the ends, of a little fleved you might want to add some thing extra.

 

Thank you - I'm generally towing with just me and my young daughter - don't want to be in a bad situation!

 

any probalem pulling horses is a major hassel, finding bording and hay, and getting them there if your rigs broke down, Yeah
I know what you mean,J.

 

You might want to check out US Rider (http://www.usrider.org)

They tow horse AND TRAILER, make arrangements for stabling, cover vet expeses if necessary, find local vet if it's minor, repair tires and bring gas -keys etc. Good safety valve for the horses...