Want to tow a tractor and equipment to do side jobs. Im estimating 10,000 lbs or less.

Will i need air bags with deaver springs or buy stiffer springs. Truck is lifted with deaver coils in front

 

You want to tow nearly 10000lbs with a 40 yr old half ton truck?

What is the legal factory tow rating of it?

 

im guesstimating.

i have hydroboost brakes. got a trailer leveler with sway bar. gonna add trailer brakes too.

 

A quick search of the Googles and the best reference that I can find is that back in the day Ford recommended towing a trailer no more than 75% of GVWR. You mention coils on the front, so I am guessing F100/150. With a GVWR of 6000 (guessing on the low side of what was available for F150), that would give you a max recommended of 4500 lb towing. Obviously, Ford would recommend conservatively and aftermarket upgrades would help a lot, but 10K is still a tall order. Growing up on a farm, I've seen WAY worse overloads than what you suggest and the truck survived fine...once or twice. If this is planned on a somewhat regular basis, I would be more concerned about the rear axle and transmission/ clutch if you need air bags to handle the weight. Just some food for thought.

 

The Deaver springs are real soft. I'd do the airbags. And the above points are valid...even modern half tons aren't rated to tow that much and they heavier and make double the power these days. You're far into 3/4 ton territory towing that much.

 

I would suggest to start with looking up the spring specs of the deavers.

I towed 9000 with mine in a 3/4 ton truck and it was fine.


Not sure why this always comes up, but hp is the absolute last thing I care about when towing. There is a far better chance of hurting myself or others due to stopping, turning, and overall control of the combination.

 

Are you running a 9" axle? If so they do not like to be loaded much beyond factory rating. They tend to spit out a wheel and axle. There are several posts from folks who have experienced this. Not my cup of tea.

 

I agree with somethingclever 100%.......And another thought.......A lifted truck is not really an ideal tow vehicle ........they will work......many have done it but........I learned the hard way years ago.......had a 78 F150 4x4 Flareside.......4" lift......33x12.50 Super Swampers.....not a BIG truck by any stretch of the imagination.......I borrowed a friends car trailer ( I didn't have a brake controller in my truck so had no trailer brakes and went to get a parts truck......'78 F150 2WD.......Not all that heavy of a load......even for a 1/2 ton......I was running down the interstate at about 70MPH .......parts truck on trailer.....had the ex-wife and 2 kids that were 3 and 4 in with us.....there was a pretty good cross wind blowing and a semi truck blew past us......the trailer started whipping and whipped so hard that the trailer ramps that I had thrown in the back of the parts truck knocked the tailgate open........flew out and were sliding down the interstate.......It whipped me so hard.....I had the whole mess sliding sideways down the freeway, praying that it didn't flop over...........When I came to a rest, I was 90 degrees to the flow of traffic......still upright but had to pry the upholstery out of my butt.......I drive a semi for a living and have puckered my *** in them before, but have never.......and I mean never even come close to being as scared as I was that day.....Have never pulled with a lifted truck since......

 

My Bronco has a 468 in it so power and torque is no issue nor is braking other than trailer brakes. It does have a NP435 trans but a 12" clutch.

The axle is a 9inch with 4.56 gear and a detroit locker.

My tractor is around maybe 4500 to 5000 lbs until I decide to build a cage and skid plate which may easily go up to 1000-2000 lbs more. My mower may be 1000 lbs or less. I wont be able to carry all my equipment like harrows so that will keep the weight down.

I wont be doing this all the time..just side work to pay for stuff.

I drive around 55-60 mph anyways. I drive a semi as well at work and Im pretty cautious with it too.

I would try to buy a truck but dont have the cash for one yet.

 

Holy crap it's getting worse - towing 10000lbs in a 104" WB, 40yr old bronco.

hp, gears and lockers don't matter....

Single piston brakes, 9" rearends, 104' WB, 5000lbs towing 10000lbs matters.

Of course I don't need to tell you that as a truck driver, fines and tickets for personal weekend work can affect your livelyhood.


I'm not saying that follwing Johnny Law is always the only approach (and rarely the best), but from a practical point of view, I think this is largely a bad idea.

 

For what its worth, I used a 79 Bronco to tow a nearly 10,000 lb boat 3 hrs / 165 miles pretty much all interstate. Trailer Special with additional overloads. About 3/4 way home drivers side axle broke at the flange, outboard of retainer. Although the truck pulled it no problem power wise, it was apparently too much tongue weight for 9". No warning whatsoever, right front went airborne as left rear hit the pavement. Fortunately I was only going about 50-55 mph (I don't tow fast, small issues grow exponentially with speed), and knew not to try brakes. Coasted to stop along shoulder, backing plate was worn halfway down flat. I was lucky, coulda been way worse.

 

i would buy a truck but dont have the money for a good one to use

 

I do have thunderbird calipers in the front and rear disc brakes

 

im thinking i will be under 10,000 lbs..im guessing 9000 or below..

 

You asked for advice........good advice was given by all.......yet you insist on the fact that you are going to do it anyway..........Just stay the hell away from me and my family out on the road.............If you already have your mind made up......why even ask for advice????