I am also noticing that this truck went to Zoresco Equipment in Turtle creek PA for upgrade item # 86-6319 O/T 5

 

My truck has a 15k lb hitch on it but my truck is not rated to conv tow 15k lbs. The springs will up your GVWR but not your GCWR.

 

I cry uncle. You are worse than my exwife.

I gave you part numbers and packages. Unless you are standing at a Ford computer or you have a password to access one, you cant possibly know.

These packages are optional, they exist. I do give up. You can be right.

Personaly I think you are not up to speed on these packages. and to keep this going is pointless.

Hopefully when anyone here goes to order there truck they will keep this info I have provided and use it, if it applies for there needs.

 

Say what you want. A preferred equipment package is not a payload package. I've been around these trucks, worked on these trucks and ordered these trucks so I know pretty much about whats going on with them.

Be careful out there.

 

Maybe there is still time for you to "edit" this post..... 12,500 lbs without dist. hitch? Nope! its more like 7500lb. I'm reading the 09 Ford Towing Guide as i type and your truck is max'ed out at 11,500 lbs pulling a 5th wheel.

 

I can't believe I'm going to jump in on this...but the trailer weight and payload numbers listed in the towing guide are the max numbers when properly equipped. The addition of the heavy service packages do not increase the capacities above those stated stated in the towing guide. The heavy service packages get you to the stated capacities.

Beeser....if you wind up trading trucks, I am really happy with my V10 with 4.10 rear end. If I had it to do over again, I'd have gotten the 4.30's but I was smitten by the bug and pulled the trigger on the truck that I got. I'm not a very patient person....when I want something, I want it right now. It is really my parents and grandparents fault. They spoiled me rotten and, eventhough I pay the bills now, I haven't been able to grow up yet.

 

If I was towing a trailer that weighed under 5k lbs I would seriously consider the '09 F150 with all the tow packages that give it an 11k tow rating. In fact I am still on the fence about it with an 8k travel trailer. One advantage to the F150 in this particular case is that is weighs quite a bit less than an SD and it rides better and gets better mileage with no trailer.

If you want an engine to tow a travel trailer effortlessly (ie not much downshifting even on steep inclines) you want a diesel. I think that is overkill for your trailer, but if you do not want to hear the engine work that is your only option. Gas engines lose a lot of horsepower at high altitudes and you have to make up for that by spinning them up to higher speed. My Jeep had to run a gear lower at altitude with no trailer on it to have acceptable performance.

 

I think you hit on the logical solution to the question. The F150 is probably the most sensible choice for towing even the larger trailer we have in mind. The dilemma is that I like the SD styling better even with the improvements of the new F150. Perhaps that opinion will change in time for the next purchase. I'm sort of drifting toward making a vehicle purchase when the SDs go through a major makeover. Comments on this forum suggest that it may be as early as next year. In the meantime I plan to use my current SD to shake out any remaining questions. I may even have another trailer by then.

 

I only read the first post, short on time, but in all seriousness get a V10 with 4.10 if you don't mind 11-12mpg. Based on what you've stated you sound familiar with gassers, and I'm biased towards them with the recent addition of too much emissions garbage.

Just IMO but you can never have enough power, and the V10 picks up all the slack the 5.4 has. But with 4.1 or 4.3 gears your 5.4 will tow millions of times better.

 

Hey dkf I wanted to share with you a thread I think it is called plow pakage upgrade?? It speaks of the same upgrades I have. The gentlemen has ordered his truck.

I also figured I would ask if you had a chance to check into the package and the upgrades.

In the other post a person also mentions spring rate increase, giving bigger towing or payload capacity. Cmon over and read my friend

 

Your truck is really fairly light, a diesel is almost overkill.

Why not get a superduty with the V10 and say either 4.10 or 4.30 gears.

I towed with my friends truck, and have since ordered my own F350 with V10.

I tow a lot heavier weights than you, and the V10 does fine with it.

 

AMEN on the not much milage from V10...

00 CC 4x4 V10 3.73's

pulled 20' car hauler w/ Chrysler Newyorker....7 mpg...