New Truck
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New Truck
Im looking at purchasing a new truck to tow a 36' 15,000 lb 5th wheel. Ive been doing a little research on the early 2000 super duty truck series, and im starting to wonder what would be better off for my application: a f350 superduty, or getting a lighter 250, maybe even 150, and upgrading the transmission, rear axle, and maybe a few other things. Most of the information ive seen about the 350s has there max towing rate around or even a little under the loaded weight i would be pulling.
And if i would be better off with an upgraded smaller truck, what all would i want to improve to better handle the weight?
And if i would be better off with an upgraded smaller truck, what all would i want to improve to better handle the weight?
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
For the years you are thinking of, you will need a F350 dully. If your wet wt of the 5th wheel is 15K, then most likely your king pin wt is gonna be around 3,000 lbs. This 3, 000 lbs is what is gonna be in the bed of the truck along with the hitch.
So available payload capacity to haul this and your family plus the ability to tow 15K is what you need to keep in mind. I think you need to look newer myself, 05 and up.
A 150, no matter what you could do to it will never be able to haul that much. The axles just cannot support it, let alone the platform itself will just get pushed around by that trailer.
So available payload capacity to haul this and your family plus the ability to tow 15K is what you need to keep in mind. I think you need to look newer myself, 05 and up.
A 150, no matter what you could do to it will never be able to haul that much. The axles just cannot support it, let alone the platform itself will just get pushed around by that trailer.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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I agree with Senix completely. I tow a 14k fifthwheel, and it has 2650# of pin weight. Definitely go with a dually. My '05 SRW with 18" tires is only 500#'s under the rear axle/tire rating.
In '05 Ford increased the size of the brakes, strengthened the frames, and decreased the turning radius in the area of 30%. The TorqShift 5spd auto with tow/haul was available behind all engines for the first time in '05. Plus they had the "TowCommand" (built in trailer brake controller) as an option.
Having the proper truck to tow your trailer with is priceless.
In '05 Ford increased the size of the brakes, strengthened the frames, and decreased the turning radius in the area of 30%. The TorqShift 5spd auto with tow/haul was available behind all engines for the first time in '05. Plus they had the "TowCommand" (built in trailer brake controller) as an option.
Having the proper truck to tow your trailer with is priceless.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 432
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From: Bishopville, MD
I would forget the half-ton upgrade idea. That is a heavy trailer you are looking at towing. At least get a F250 a F350 dually would be the best/safest option. I agree with the others try to get a 2005+ for the torqshift tranny and put a V-10/PSD in front of it. I have had a 2006 F250 and currently have a 2010 F250 do youself a favor and get the newest Super Duty you can afford The built in brake controller with the 5spd Torqshift is priceless.
The newest F150 with Ford advertising the 11000 pound capacity is a bit optimistic in my book. I had a 2008 F150 and it was a towing nightmare.
The newest F150 with Ford advertising the 11000 pound capacity is a bit optimistic in my book. I had a 2008 F150 and it was a towing nightmare.
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