Towing capacity of '96 F-250?
 

:-D I just purchased a '96 F-250 4x4 extended cab with the intent of pulling a multi car trailer with it.(it was really, really cheap) It only has a Winsdsor in it right now and is probably a little light duty for the job. It is a once a year thing and I realise it won't be no speed demon. What does Ford rate these guys at pulling a gooseneck? Thanx! :-D

You have to give more information.

Exact engine, not just Windsor
Transmission
Rear axle gear ratio
Tire size (if other than stock)

Those items determine GCWR.

From that you subtact the empty weight of the truck and
then subtract the weight of gas, driver, passengers and anything else you are carrying in the truck.

If you have an owners manual, its in there.

I suspect that that truck wont do what you want because a 4x4 extended cab F-250 is so heavy to start with. Since you live at high altitute you also have to remember that you loose at least three percent power for every 1000 feet above sea level without a turbo/supercharger.

Jim

Since you said "Windsor" engine, I'll assume you have a 351, which is common in F250's of that period. For a single car trailer, if you truck is geared right (4.10), and you're running stock or only slightly oversize tires, you will be able to pull it ok. But a MULTI-car trailer? I would say you don't have enough engine for that. You need a 460 or a diesel to pull that kind of weight.

As an example, my F350 Crew Cab Long Bed 4x4 351 C6 trans, if it had 4.10 gears and stock tires, would be rated at 7700 lbs for a 5th wheel, ~7200 for a bumper pull. Your truck would be rated simillar with same engine and gears, as it weighs almost as much as mine I would think. Most single axle car haulers have a GVWR of 7000 lbs. and weigh 1500 lbs or more empty. The same truck with a 460 would be rated about 2000 lbs more for max trailer weight, if I remember it correctly.

How far will you be pulling the trailer? What will the approximate gross loaded weight of the trailer be? I am sure you can safely get by with quite a bit more than the manufacturers rating if you arent traveling in mountains or the like. Assuming the drive train and brakes are in good condition, of course.

:-D Ok, it has a 5-speed, don't know the rear gear but it seems pretty low on the hwy. I will probably be pulling a 36ft gooseneck with two racecars, and tools.(probably about 5500 lbs + the trailer) It doesn't have to be fast and I'm not heading over any mountain passes, from Denver to Gainesville.:-D

Base Number of Cylinders: 8 Base Engine Size: 5.8 liters
Base Engine Type: V8 Horsepower: 205 hp
Max Horsepower: 3800 rpm Torque: 328 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 2200 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 10000 lbs.
Drive Type: 4WD Turning Circle: 50.4 ft.

The above ratings assume the extended cab pickup itself is completely empty. No people, no tools, no gasoline. This is how Ford calculated their maximum towing capacity in the 90's.

So, subtract your weight, any passenger weight, your toolboxes and tools, any junk you have in the bed, a bed cap if you have one, plows, pushbars, ladder racks, etc.

Then multiply your fuel capacity (in gallons) by three, and subtract that amount from the adjusted towing capacity.

Then you have a final number that you can actually tow.

An important note is that just because the truck is rated at a specific capacity doesn't mean you can actually tow it. For me, I don't consider sitting in third gear, going uphill at 30 MPH because you're overloaded "towing". Depends on the engine's condition, the torque, the gearing, and what you are actually towing.

I have a 93 F350 and on rare occasions I've grossly exceeded the rated towing capacity of 12,000lbs. Grossly. But I only had to drag that trailer and the bulldozer 11 miles, so I took it slow, was gentle on the clutch, and took my time. It was not a long trip by any means. I just needed the bulldozer here <G>

Towing requires torque, there is no way around it. This is why a lot of commercial applications like dump trucks, tow trucks, trailer haulers, construction vehicles either have the 460 or even better, the powerstroke.

A good buddy of mine has the turbocharged powerstroke, and when he's hauling his race car, spare engines, and other heavy items, on a 6% grade incline, he can actually accelerate from 75MPH and pull away from me, going uphill.

Torque wins. Anyway, hope the ratings above you and associated explaination as to what to subtract helps you out.

I had a 94 f250 w/351 and a 5 speed. It had 4.10 gears and 33x12.50 wild country's. I pulled our aluminum gooseneck(20,22? ft. w/2-7000 lb axles) and averaged approx 10,000 lbs of hogs (that was the weight on the ticket-what the hogs weighed after I unloaded them). It worked the truck, but it handled it ok. Be sure you have a brake controller, I didn't the first 3 loads, and it was alot of weight for the truck brakes.

Anyway, just thought I'd mention this.