HelpThe Old Towing Question Again
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, California
HelpThe Old Towing Question Again
Hi everyone
I have a 1986 F-250 Lariet with a 351 V8 ( 4months old)with a isky towing cam Larger valves on e7e heads, JBA headers. Dual Piston front brakes. 3.55 gears and a 6,000 pound boat and trailer I need to haul. This will be mostly on level ground about 100 miles at the most 12 times a year, no mountain driving. I already have a reciever rated for 6,000 pounds and 10,000 pounds with a stabilization kit installed. My question is shoud I get a trailer stabilization kit and maybe get 4.10 gears for better reliability. I just dont want to blow out the axle bearings and have to replace the rear end later. Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.
Joe
I have a 1986 F-250 Lariet with a 351 V8 ( 4months old)with a isky towing cam Larger valves on e7e heads, JBA headers. Dual Piston front brakes. 3.55 gears and a 6,000 pound boat and trailer I need to haul. This will be mostly on level ground about 100 miles at the most 12 times a year, no mountain driving. I already have a reciever rated for 6,000 pounds and 10,000 pounds with a stabilization kit installed. My question is shoud I get a trailer stabilization kit and maybe get 4.10 gears for better reliability. I just dont want to blow out the axle bearings and have to replace the rear end later. Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.
Joe
Last edited by Jolbca1962; Aug 16, 2005 at 05:15 PM. Reason: Add more info
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
You won't blow out the axle bearings under power from towing...
You're most likely to break an axle while in low range off road under full throttle with high resistance. This is when the most amount of torque would be applied to the axle. While driving in 4th-5th gear, your axle is seeing it's least amount of torque being applied.
The 4.10 gears would help the transmission and effectively increase the torque through gear reduction. The downside is your RPMs are going to be higher on the highway wish would hurt gas mileage. The gear ratio depends on your tire size more than anything. Stock tire size, you may wish to go 3.73 instead, but 4.10s would get the nod for more pulling power at the expense of gas mileage.
You're most likely to break an axle while in low range off road under full throttle with high resistance. This is when the most amount of torque would be applied to the axle. While driving in 4th-5th gear, your axle is seeing it's least amount of torque being applied.
The 4.10 gears would help the transmission and effectively increase the torque through gear reduction. The downside is your RPMs are going to be higher on the highway wish would hurt gas mileage. The gear ratio depends on your tire size more than anything. Stock tire size, you may wish to go 3.73 instead, but 4.10s would get the nod for more pulling power at the expense of gas mileage.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,097
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One thing to check is your state laws. Many states require the weight distribution set up and brakes once you hit a specific weight. Also with a 450 to 600lb tongue weight it will lousy, especially on bumps if you don't have the weight distribution set up.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 66
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From: Long Beach, California
Am I on the Right Path?
I just purchased a 10,000 rated hitch for insurance. If I get air asisted rear suspension should that help with the bottom in out? the trailer already has hydraulic surge brakes and a trailer stabilization kit would reduce the braking effect. any ideas or am I on the right path?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
air bags will help, but the front will still come up a bit, due to leverage. You are right though, the surge brakes won't work as well... I prefer electric myself, that being one of the reasons, as well as being able to brake independantly in the case of fishtail, the trailer straightens right out with a quick apply...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Goodness, Why won't the current setup work???
Your 250 should handle things just like they are. Since you have purchased the new hitch, put it on but tow with it before you buy anything else.
I have more engine but would love to have that much truck to haul with.
John
Your 250 should handle things just like they are. Since you have purchased the new hitch, put it on but tow with it before you buy anything else.
I have more engine but would love to have that much truck to haul with.
John
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
What tranny do you have? I have a 85 F-250 with a 460 and a C6 auto tranny. It had 3:55 gears and stock tires when I got it. I put in 4:10 gears, and got 285/75R16 tires, and at 75mph, the engine is only turning 3300rpm's. Before I changed everything it was closer to 3000rpm's. I get much better mileage around town now too, I went from 7mpg to 10mpg. Do you know what rear axle you have, if it's the 10.25 full float version, you will be fine, even if you only have semi-float, I don't think you will have any problems.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Long Beach, California
I have a AOD tranny with 3.73 semi floating axles. I use to have a 22foot 5th wheel I use to tow with a 5.0l engine. But the 351 engine I installed has a RV cam roller rockers and larger valves. Even some port work on the heads. Hey the worst thing is I eat up the gears and buy a used full floating axle. Also the tires i have are p185 80R 16s
Last edited by Jolbca1962; Aug 17, 2005 at 10:28 AM. Reason: corrections
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