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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 07:12 PM
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towing capacity

hi everybody. my grandparents recently bought a travel trailer. They are having it delivered to the campground but if they dont like it it would cost alot to have sombody move it. he has an f150 lariat and i know that wont pull it, i have a 77 f250 hiboy with a 351. does anybody know the towing capacity?
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 07:46 PM
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'79 f250 trailer weight up to 3500 lbs, GCWR 8500-10200lbs, tongue load 10-15% of trailer weight(200lbs max). Probably not much different than a '77.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 07:50 PM
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In my opinion, towing capacity has more to do with the ability to stop the load than whether or not it will pull it easily. I have pulled a skid steer on a big equipment trailer with my 77 highboy and it's wheezing 400. Total load of around 10,000lb, not including the 5500lb the truck weighs. Going up a two mile 5% grade required my right foot to be on the floor at 60 mph and almost a downshift, but it did good overall. 4 speed, with 4:10's btw.

-Jared
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 08:05 PM
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thanks how would i figure out my gear ratio?
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 08:18 PM
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If the tag is still on the rear end it'll say. Mine is 4L11(4.11 limited slip). If no tag you can jack up the rear wheels and count how many times the pinion turns in one tire revolution. That'll give you an idea. I think most f250's had 4.10's. 4.11 rear and 4.09 front.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 08:20 PM
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the chances of the tag still being there are slim to none on my truck lol. theres not much thats still in good shape but if it is where would it be?
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 08:26 PM
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Should be on one of the diff cover bolts.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 08:33 PM
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If that F-150 is an 04+, it will stomp a mud hole all over anything from the 70's.

First off, no matter what you're pulling with, you must have a controller for the trailer brakes. That said, an 04+ F-150 is ALOT heavier than a Highboy. With the extra weight and HUGE 4 wheel disk brakes.....figuring out which truck has the most stopping power is a no brainer.

What size is the trailer? What's the specs on the F-150?

My 05 F-150 with an EMPTY trailer tips the scales at 9500 pounds. With a 7000 pound mini excavator, I'm totaling 16,500 pounds!! That's pretty much the max on F-150, but it will handle it surprisingly well. The max trailer weight on a properly equipped F-150 is about 11,000 pounds btw.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 09:30 PM
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its an 07 f150 lariat crew cab 6 1/2 ft bed. 5/4 triton. the trailer weighs about 13500 lbs
 
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Old Feb 16, 2010 | 09:48 PM
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13500?? OUCH!! I'm guessing it's a 5th wheel??
 
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 07:13 AM
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yeah. its this huge *** big wheel
 
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 07:40 AM
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Neither truck will handle this kind of weight.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by 4x4 Bart
Neither truck will handle this kind of weight.
X2

If you had a 5th wheel hitch, you could maybe move it around the yard with your F-250. But don't even attempt to take it out on the road. An 05+ F-250 is the MINIMUM to pull something like that down the highway. An 08 F-450 would make it much less stressful.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 05:10 PM
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I had a 74 F350 Supercab with a 390, automatic with 4:10 rear end, shift kit and RV cam. I pulled my 12,500lb 36' Fiver with it back in the days I didn't know any better. It would pull it, but with constant complaining and problems. it was SUCH a strain on the engine, suspension, and all other components and in truth too much weight for it. Thank God for good trailer brakes! When I bought the trailer the dealer ( of course!) told me "oh you won't have ANY problems pulling it with your truck"... yeah, right! Bottom line is I would NOT use your F250 to pull it. I'd borrow/rent a truck with the correct towing capacity, but more than that the appropriate GCVWR (Gross combined vehicle weight rating)

Remember, just because you can doesn't mean you should... Lots of people will tell you you can do it with your truck. But you shouldn't if you want to be safe.

Good luck!
Dak
 
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Old Feb 17, 2010 | 05:20 PM
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thanks alot ill just tell him to rent something haha
 
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