I have had some "poor" experiences with overheating while towing a 3,000lb trailer with a V8 gas car with a new radiator and an auxiliary transmission cooler. Because we will be buying a bigger 5,200lb trailer we have decided to go with a 2008 F250 double cab 4x4 diesel. Reading the original option sheet it seems that there was a choice of axle ratio but no upgrades for the radiator or transmission cooler. Does this mean that the stock stock items are over-specced and good for the extra duty?
If so, this would probably mean that I should steer clear off any trucks fitted with a brake controller, preferring one that has not been used for towing at all (if there is no difference in the radiator or transmission cooler).
Sorry if I am going over old ground but I couln't see a past post on this topic.

 

That truck won't even notice a 5200lb trailer. Forgot everything you knew about towing because it doesn't sound like any of it applies. Get a truck with a brake controller so you don't need to put one in yourself. Don't worry for a minute if it's been towed with before. It doesn't hurt these trucks. They're designed to tow and haul, unlike whatever car you used to tow last

 

The factory brake controller is so good, I wouldn't look at any trucks without one.

 

Also, if you want to buy the F-250 crewcab diesel, go for it, but it's completely overkill for towing that small amount of weight. A modern F-150 would do the job just fine.

Didn't 2008 F-250's come with the dreaded and awful 6.4L motor?

 

You would be fine with a V8 5.4 engine with that load,, the brake controller and tow package will suit you needs and should keep the engine/ transmission running without worrying about over heating. It will either have 3.73 or 4.10 gears unless someone changed them aftermarket. Just keep one thing in mind you are not going to win any drag races it's a truck made to work/ pull loads.

I had a '08' V10 with 4.30 gears and pulled 14k 5th wheel. When I sold the truck it had 283k miles replaced some normal wear and tear items and did the normal pm and never had an overheating problem. That was traveling east coast to west coast climbing the mountain grades.

Sorry, reread that you said diesel it is a 6.4. The best thing to do is go to the 6.4 section of the forum and do some homework on that diesel engine.

 

the whole POINT of a diesel engine in a TRUCK is Towing....

should be a limit of 12,000 plus more....

my GAS F 250 is rated to tow 12,500 pounds.. and just did a trip from south Texas to North East Ohio.... 1,800 miles ( 2 weeks ago )

9,000 pound trailer, 1,500 pounds in the bed of truck... in 95 degree heat..... water temperature never went over 190 degrees...

truck is "Stock" and has 150,000 miles.