I know this subject has been beaten to death, but if you'll please bear with me, the more I read the more confused I get. I need your help.
I have a 99.5 F350, CrewCab, Long bed, 4x4, SRW, 7.3PSD, auto, Banks PowerPak, 3.73 gears, Xtra 96 Gal TransferFlo bed tank. Hope that covers it.
I pulled on the scales yesterday, with self, wife , 5-er hitch, a little less than 1/2 tank fuel(60g from possible 136g)and I weighed in at 8100 lbs.
The 5-er we have our hearts set on is an Alfa Gold Model 270. It has a Dry Weight of 13,800, a possible payload of 4,200, GAV of 16,100 and GVW of 18,000.
I realize I'm on a ragged edge here, but just how ragged? I've had some people tell me I'm crazy to try, others say "maybe" and others say 'no sweat'. The previous owner of my truck was pulling the same 5-er that I'm wanting, and he says he's pulled it for a couple of years - no prob.
I am also looking at adding the Banks Brake and Banks SmartLock.

What are your opinions? I sure appreciate any feedback to help me find my way thru this forest of GV this and GW that!!
Thanks, Paul

 

>I know this subject has been beaten to death, but if you'll
>please bear with me, the more I read the more confused I
>get. I need your help.
>I have a 99.5 F350, CrewCab, Long bed, 4x4, SRW, 7.3PSD,
>auto, Banks PowerPak, 3.73 gears, Xtra 96 Gal TransferFlo
>bed tank. Hope that covers it.
>I pulled on the scales yesterday, with self, wife , 5-er
>hitch, a little less than 1/2 tank fuel(60g from possible
>136g)and I weighed in at 8100 lbs.

8100 lbs is ok. even with additional fuel @ 560 lbs = 8,650



>The 5-er we have our hearts set on is an Alfa Gold Model
>270. It has a Dry Weight of 13,800, a possible payload of
>4,200, GAV of 16,100 and GVW of 18,000.

dry weight of 13,800, you have exceeded your gross combind weight rating by 2450 pounds!!

now you load that 4200 pounds, you have over loaded your trailer 1900 pounds and over loaded total gross combind weight rating by 6,650 pounds!

I wouldn't rule out at some point in time that problems will occure.
driveability and Stopping will be greatly affected. hope there isn't much down hill driving!! be sure your road service card is current


>I realize I'm on a ragged edge here, but just how ragged?
>I've had some people tell me I'm crazy to try, others say
>"maybe" and others say 'no sweat'. The previous owner of my
>truck was pulling the same 5-er that I'm wanting, and he
>says he's pulled it for a couple of years - no prob.
>I am also looking at adding the Banks Brake and Banks
>SmartLock.
>
>What are your opinions? I sure appreciate any feedback to
>help me find my way thru this forest of GV this and GW
>that!!
>Thanks, Paul

I wouldn't but I am sure many have!!
let us know when and where your going so as to tell the famaily to say off the road that day!! we'll also say a prayer for ya!

over and out
gseeders

 

Keep in mind that if you're involved in an accident and the insurance company discovers that you have exceeded the GCVW they may suddenly become very difficult to deal with. Accidents involving 15,000lb+ vehicles can be extremely expensive!

 

I don't know what the tranny cooler is like on the 99s, but on my '96 F250 it's a joke. The engine oil and tranny coolers on my old '88 F350 gas were much more substantial; both were with towing package. I made several 1k mile trips exceeding the max GCVW, CGVW, or how ever it's shortened, by quite a bit. The trans fluid temp was a killer... literally... My gauge developed a short, and I pressed on regardless... Now rebuilding the tranny and diagnosing the problems with the gauge. They have additives for the trans to make the fluid handle heat better. I got mine from [link:www.bulkparts.com/MM011.ASP?pageno=1107|BulkParts]. I'd also consider adding an external transmission filter, which would help minimize contamination of the cooler if something does occur. The Ford filters list at $33, but can be had from the manufacturer, [link:www.emergingent.com/magnefine/order_page.htm|Magnefine] for about $25. They're found on eBay for $15, sometimes less.

 

Call TYMAR for a good price on Magnefine. That's where I got mine. While your ordering get a big cooler as Dale has a great price on them as well. The Tru Cool is such an easy swap for the crummy factory piece it doesn't make sense not to upgrade

 

 

My truck has the same engine and probably the same transmission as an F350 and it manages to easily deal with 18,000 lb regularly. My truck is rated higher than that, so I can haul heavier loads and still comply with the CGVW requirements of the manufacturer.. My point is that the brakes on my truck as not much different to the F350 brakes, and the engine is the same one, just having a higher output.. So, when towing excessive loads with a 350, you have to realise that though mechanical damage is not likely, liability will most definitely be compromised to the extent of invalidating any liability insurance you have. This is fine, so long as you do not hit anything. Should that most unwelcome happenstance occur, the proverbial poo poo will hit the fan, and probably bankrupt you in the process. An easy fix to the problem would be to trade the F350 in for a 450.

Wm
'96 F450 White with Grey interior Crew Cab. Banks Turbo, Intercooler and Exhuast,
Power pack Chip, shift kit, Auxiliary transmission, electronic enhanced transmission control,
16 forward and 4 reverse ratios. 340hp 660ft lb 4 wheel drive, 4.10 gears, 12,ooo# winch