I recently picked up a 73 F250 Camper Special with a 460/C6 2wd. 57k miles on it. I plan on using the truck as a daily driver and a tow vehicle to pick up projects, friends broken down cars, and general hauling. I want an ultra-reliable powerful tow vehicle that I can hook up to most any trailer worry free.

I have a mechanical (master cyl fed) brake controller, dual piston front calipers, rear sway bar, and stock springs on this truck. Should I add helper springs to the rear? Will they affect unloaded ride quality?

Id like to convert it to a electric brake controller and possibly run some power lines to hook up to a trailer battery. Does anyone have a simple way to hook that up? I also want to repair the dual battery set up that the truck has. The secondary side looks like it hasnt been used in many years. Im assuming that will factor into how the trailer wire is set up.

Finally this truck has a large 1/8, 1/4 in steel bumper. It looks like a dealer installed item. Its much more heavy duty then a traditional bumper. It is attatched to the frame in two places but im unsure about using it to pull heavy loads. Would it be safer to remove it, install a traditional chrome bumper and a under frame hitch? Has anyone towed with a bumper like this?

Thanks for all your help/opinions

 

An electronic brake controller is a definate must have. The only specialty is running the "BLUE" trailer brake wire and running a 12 volt wire for the battery.

As for that situation (trailer battery) I would run a seperate "key on" triggered solenoid. That way you aren't drawing power from an existing source.

Need a picture of your bumper to give advice on that, but a frame hitch or something custom made os hard to beat.

Josh

 

I agree with the previous statement about the wiring. As for the bumper, i have a 74 f250 with overload springs, and the same bumper. I have pulled cars with it so its plenty strong, but for anything too heavy (even though im sure the bumper would work) i use my tow hitch. Just rather be safe than sorry.

 

This is a pic of the rear bumper.





Any other add ons or suggestions for making these trucks tow better? Ive hauled plywood and heavier loads with similar trucks but never a trailer. I used to have a 2wd 95 F350 Single wheel crew cab that was a towing beast. Id like to make this truck just as stable and predictible under load.

 

That is a (probably the wrong spelling) Bardon bumper. Those things can tow just about anything. My dads old 86 f-150 with an I6 and a NP435 had one and he pulled a 6,000 lb trailer with it no problem. Should hold up to just about anything. Its bolted to the frame just like a tow package would be. Hope i helped.

 

Yes you did. I was thinking the same thing. If its tied to the frame and it has the strength to hold the weight why not? Truth is The heaviest thing I'll probably tow is an old 50's fullsize car on a trailer. I just want it to be capible of anything I need.

 

i have a custom rear bumper that a friend of the PO made for it 1/2" thick all the way except for the hitch ball plate its 3/4" diamond plate i would hate to be the person who rear ended me or u as far as ur bumper its like mine super beasty

 

Yea..lol...this would be no fun to run into.