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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 10:09 PM
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sportinh2o's Avatar
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Tow Capacity

1979 F350 400 NP435 Dually Alright, after exhausting myself on this site and the net I'm just going to ask. Does any one know the towing capacity of a 1979 F350? Here's what's on the door sticker: GAWR: 9500 lbs. GAWR: 3400 lbs. (Front) GAWR: 7000 lbs. (Rear) Thanks for the help.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 10:59 PM
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Maximum of 10,000 lbs capabale of more with a stronger engine like a properly tuned 429 or 460 based engine.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 11:04 PM
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You forgot the rear end. What ratio does it have?

In my Ford owner's manual for my 97 F350 SRW with 351W gas engine, E40D auto, and 4.10 axle, it says I can tow up to 13,000 lbs.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2009 | 01:29 AM
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in my opinion (coming from a guy who loads and hooks up anything without hesitation) I wouldn't be worried to hook to dam near anything behind it. Of course i've also had over 3000 lbs in the back of my 78 f150 2wd 300-6 more than once. If its a 4-speed, let er rip, if its an auto, keep it outta OD, theres no better way to toast an OD auto tranny then pulling in OD.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2009 | 07:42 PM
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I'm assuming the drive is 4:10. I'm not exactly sure how to decode that from the axle.
 
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 03:55 PM
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1979 F350 4x4 4.10 gears :
Trailer weight 3500-6000
GCWR max 13950
GVWR min 8550

Trailer weight 6000-7000
GCWR max 14850
GVWR min 8550

Those were for conventional towing with a weight distributing hitch. Fifth wheel as follows:
Trailer weight up to 6500
GCWR max 14000
GVWR min 8550
3.54 gears

For 2 wheel drive:
Trailer weight 3500-6000
GCWR max 14300, 15300
GVWR min 8900, 9900
3.73 gears

Trailer weight 6000-10000
GCWR max 17900,18500
GVWR min 8900, 9900
4.10 gears

For fifth wheel:
Trailer weight up to 10000
GCWR max 16400
GVWR min 8900
3.73 gears

The two ratings are for class III and class IV hitches.
This is out of a 1979 owners guide.
 
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 06:15 PM
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well, since it's a dually it should be a chassis cab. I wouldn't be scared of putting 10k behind it. except for trailer sway.

post the info off of the Warranty Plate. it should have the rearend codes on there. when we decode it, it will tell us the gear ratio and axle.
 
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 03:58 PM
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yes, chassis cab would be correct. It was delivered as an unfinished truck to a third party to complete. therefore the door sticker is just a yellow tag that gave all the numbers ive given plus a shorter than usual vin #.
 
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Old Feb 2, 2009 | 06:44 PM
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my 350 has a 300 I-6 and 4spd manual with 4.10 rear and the door said GVWR 10,000lbs
 
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Old Feb 3, 2009 | 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by sportinh2o
yes, chassis cab would be correct. It was delivered as an unfinished truck to a third party to complete. therefore the door sticker is just a yellow tag that gave all the numbers ive given plus a shorter than usual vin #.

Well a 5th wheel is what I need. It seems I'm on the threshold for a lighter one. which seems strange. I thought the truck would pull a 16k trailer, being a dully.

that rear end is 4:10 btw.
 
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