350 dually max tow weight
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350 dually max tow weight
Hi,
I recently purchased a 1986 4X4 F350 crewcab with a 460 cid gas engine. Its had some added power modifications, and is a 4 speed manual transmission. I've never driven a 4 wheel drive, so I visited the 4X4 forum and learned that it is not going to be of any use to me on Interstate Highways. My application is to pull a gooseneck trailer with a heavy sailboat coast to coast, once a year. I'm curious as to the experiences of others with regard to the maximum sustained weight they've hauled with a rig like this over a lfairly ong road trip, and frankly, whether this particular gas engine will hold up to a heavy load for an extended period of time at 60 mph.
Thanks a million.
Jim
I recently purchased a 1986 4X4 F350 crewcab with a 460 cid gas engine. Its had some added power modifications, and is a 4 speed manual transmission. I've never driven a 4 wheel drive, so I visited the 4X4 forum and learned that it is not going to be of any use to me on Interstate Highways. My application is to pull a gooseneck trailer with a heavy sailboat coast to coast, once a year. I'm curious as to the experiences of others with regard to the maximum sustained weight they've hauled with a rig like this over a lfairly ong road trip, and frankly, whether this particular gas engine will hold up to a heavy load for an extended period of time at 60 mph.
Thanks a million.
Jim
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From: Burnsville, MN
You need to provide an estimate of what you mean by "heavy". The good news regarding the sailboat is that it will cut the wind well and improve your towing mileage. The bad news is that you could be talking about a 10-ton boat on a 2-ton trailer!
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From: Lafayette, IN
You're at about 2-2.5 TIMES (or more) the tow rating of that truck. It's not just about the power to get the load rolling, it's about the stresses on the frame and suspension, and getting it safely stopped--even if the trailer brakes fail (it happens).
Even the latest F350s with a diesel have a top tow rating of only 19,200 lbs or something like that.
Plus, depending on which states you go through, some have different interpretations of DOT regulations, so you may need a CDL since you would be over 26,000 lbs total and over 10,000 lbs trailer.
Jason
Even the latest F350s with a diesel have a top tow rating of only 19,200 lbs or something like that.
Plus, depending on which states you go through, some have different interpretations of DOT regulations, so you may need a CDL since you would be over 26,000 lbs total and over 10,000 lbs trailer.
Jason
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
As I read this post my thinking was this is one EXPENSIVE deal.
If you don't need the 4X4, I would get rid of that truck. That is something else that could break down on the trip. The 460 should pull the weight but will use a lot of fuel. I think operating a newer 550 with diesel would be cost saving, and safer too.
Have you ever made a coast to coast run towing before? That will be a grueling trip, and somehow I think after one of them under your belt, you will think hard about making a second. IMHO
John
If you don't need the 4X4, I would get rid of that truck. That is something else that could break down on the trip. The 460 should pull the weight but will use a lot of fuel. I think operating a newer 550 with diesel would be cost saving, and safer too.
Have you ever made a coast to coast run towing before? That will be a grueling trip, and somehow I think after one of them under your belt, you will think hard about making a second. IMHO
John
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John and Jason,
Thank you for your responses. I have a CDL, and have pulled a permit load (wide but probably 9000 pounds lighter) from Massachusetts to New Orleans. The truck was bought because it was a money deal ($2600-which was really the only available truck I could afford) on a truck that had not been wrecked, had new tires, and an engine that had been rebuilt with an RV cam, Hedmun Headers and electronic ignition upgrading. The 4 wheel drive just came with the truck, and was not something I was looking for, or had to have.
I am aware that a Ford F450 with a diesel would be a better choice, but economically it isnt in my world. What got me to thinking about it was the fact that I've seen a guy in the commercial boat hauling business with Dodge 1-ton with Cummins diesel pulling over 30,000 pounds, and I was talking to a guy trying to sell me on the idea of a Chevy dually, because his had pulled a 20000 pounds plus dozer from Picayune Miss. to Pascagoula Miss without any problems. Finally, I bought the boat I have in mind from a salvage dealer, who pulled it 25 miles to my local yard using a diesel F350 crewcab dually, with a equalizing bumper hitch. He did it all the time he told me (similar loads) So, I deduced that the frame/chassis/suspension might be workable, and the issue might resolve to whether a gas engine could reliably supply the needed torque to go up and down hills that we dont have here, but would be encountered. I wanted a dually anyway, and would have bought the truck anyway. I have another boat that weighs 10,000 pounds less, but isnt nearly as near being finished, and for sure isnt nearly as comfortable on a long ocean race, and if push comes to shove, I'll take the lighter boat. But I would sure rather take the bigger boat. Anyway, thats the rest of the story.
Jim
Thank you for your responses. I have a CDL, and have pulled a permit load (wide but probably 9000 pounds lighter) from Massachusetts to New Orleans. The truck was bought because it was a money deal ($2600-which was really the only available truck I could afford) on a truck that had not been wrecked, had new tires, and an engine that had been rebuilt with an RV cam, Hedmun Headers and electronic ignition upgrading. The 4 wheel drive just came with the truck, and was not something I was looking for, or had to have.
I am aware that a Ford F450 with a diesel would be a better choice, but economically it isnt in my world. What got me to thinking about it was the fact that I've seen a guy in the commercial boat hauling business with Dodge 1-ton with Cummins diesel pulling over 30,000 pounds, and I was talking to a guy trying to sell me on the idea of a Chevy dually, because his had pulled a 20000 pounds plus dozer from Picayune Miss. to Pascagoula Miss without any problems. Finally, I bought the boat I have in mind from a salvage dealer, who pulled it 25 miles to my local yard using a diesel F350 crewcab dually, with a equalizing bumper hitch. He did it all the time he told me (similar loads) So, I deduced that the frame/chassis/suspension might be workable, and the issue might resolve to whether a gas engine could reliably supply the needed torque to go up and down hills that we dont have here, but would be encountered. I wanted a dually anyway, and would have bought the truck anyway. I have another boat that weighs 10,000 pounds less, but isnt nearly as near being finished, and for sure isnt nearly as comfortable on a long ocean race, and if push comes to shove, I'll take the lighter boat. But I would sure rather take the bigger boat. Anyway, thats the rest of the story.
Jim
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From: Burnsville, MN
Well, starting in '05 Ford beefed up the towing ratings for the super duties, so I know that with an automatic transmission my '350 is rated to tow 15,000 pounds, with a thousand or two more for a 5th wheel. I'm guessing for an '86 you could be maybe 10,000 pounds overloaded.
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Barebones,
You are probably right about the amount of overload. Still, I'll probably load it up on the trailer and drive around the block just to see what it feels like before I put the lighter boat on it. One of the things driving this is that round trip from San Fran to New Orleans with either of the boats is probably a minimum $10,000 proposition with a commerical hauler, and maybe as high as $15,000. The safety issue will end up (with me at least) trumping the money issue in the end, as all the money savings in the world is not going to make me feel very good if I get in a wreck. I was just hoping to hear what I wanted to hear. (Of course many a married guy regrets hearing what he wanted to hear too I suppose)
Jim
You are probably right about the amount of overload. Still, I'll probably load it up on the trailer and drive around the block just to see what it feels like before I put the lighter boat on it. One of the things driving this is that round trip from San Fran to New Orleans with either of the boats is probably a minimum $10,000 proposition with a commerical hauler, and maybe as high as $15,000. The safety issue will end up (with me at least) trumping the money issue in the end, as all the money savings in the world is not going to make me feel very good if I get in a wreck. I was just hoping to hear what I wanted to hear. (Of course many a married guy regrets hearing what he wanted to hear too I suppose)
Jim
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From: Burnsville, MN
Ha! Talk about being married..... Imagine being half way across the U.S., your truck goes out, and you have to pay something truly exhorbitant to tow and repair your boat and truck. I'm sure your wife would never mention it again..... Either that, or she'll never let you forget it!
Hotshot
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From: NW burbs of chicago
I honestly think you're asking for a lot of crap to break down on a trip like that towing a load like that.
I'd also plate the truck for the weight. and dont forget your logbook as it sounds like you'll be doing this commercially.
Is renting a large truck out of the question?
I'd also plate the truck for the weight. and dont forget your logbook as it sounds like you'll be doing this commercially.
Is renting a large truck out of the question?
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Guys,
1st, its a purely private thing, no commercial issues at all. I need to get a personal sailboat to the Single Handed Transpacific Race from San Fran to Hawaii in July, 2008. I've had a CDL for about 10 years and have pulled a large permit load across country, but I'm not a trucker by profession. I'd be afraid to tell you what I do to make a living, or you would all have a field day laughing.
2ndly, If you look a few posts back, I've actually seen a number of one ton dually/heavy boat combinations, which is why I was asking what the heaviest loads anyone had pulled, and what was the experience with it. I know it would overgross the rated truck weight. But, I figured it must be a common practice. In any case, I dont have a death wish, and if I must, I can make this race in a rig that would gross out at under 15,000 on the trailer. And I know it can do that with no problems. I was/am aware that it would be pushing the limit beyond where it might oughter be. I do appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
Jim
1st, its a purely private thing, no commercial issues at all. I need to get a personal sailboat to the Single Handed Transpacific Race from San Fran to Hawaii in July, 2008. I've had a CDL for about 10 years and have pulled a large permit load across country, but I'm not a trucker by profession. I'd be afraid to tell you what I do to make a living, or you would all have a field day laughing.
2ndly, If you look a few posts back, I've actually seen a number of one ton dually/heavy boat combinations, which is why I was asking what the heaviest loads anyone had pulled, and what was the experience with it. I know it would overgross the rated truck weight. But, I figured it must be a common practice. In any case, I dont have a death wish, and if I must, I can make this race in a rig that would gross out at under 15,000 on the trailer. And I know it can do that with no problems. I was/am aware that it would be pushing the limit beyond where it might oughter be. I do appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
Jim