I'm looking at a 2006 F-350 XLT 6.0L Super Duty. It has many upgrades and improvements. Has anyone towed a 15K fifth wheel with this
truck and how does it handle for you? According to the Ford guide, it will tow 15,700 lbs.

It has new ARP studs and new full bulletproofing done to motor as well as an EGR delete and sounds like it would be a great truck for our fifth wheel.

Thanks for your input.

 

Members here often tow at or above (don't judge) the recommended towing weights without issues.

You've got a good truck, great transmission, good brakes, killer integrated trailer brake controller, good suspension and ( when working right) a powerful engine. Your truck is made to tow.

 

My only suggestion would be to put the truck on the scales before you consider any 5th wheel.

Get the true weight of the truck per axle. Then check your tires and those ratings. Don't exceed either.

catscales can do the weights for each axle for about 11 bucks. Try to have the truck full of fuel and other items you would carry on the truck when you take it to the scales so you will be somewhat accurate.

 

that spec is for a new truck.

the cooling system and lubrication system on a 6.0 still leaves room for improvement and trouble shooting challenges.

 

The 15,700 number is for the 2006 model, which is the one I'm considering.

 

 

I'd want to know the true weight of the 5th wheel and pin weight along with truck weights.

The F350 will tow it, but it is 12 years old so even if the engine is in tip top shape, there are other components that have worn, unless taken care of, but if the 5er is truly at 15K, then I think you're getting real close/too close to maximums.

How much towing are you anticipating? Short hauls in your local area, planning on a cross country trip, full time or part time, flat land or mountains. Does the truck have some way to monitor temps, voltage, fuel pressure, etc?

 

Just my 2 cents here. But, I bought a brand new 2007 F-550 with the 6.0. It was a tow truck, so it was ran everyday. Did not even make it to 100,000 miles, before motor went bad. Had to replace the oil cooler twice, EGR twice. After warranty ran out, we did the EGR delete kit, then 3 injectors went out. Replaced those. Then the FICM went bad. Finally sold the truck at a loss. This truck rarely towed more than 8,000. Due to it being a tow truck, it did have a lot of idle time, so, not sure if that matters. I understand there are things you can do to "bullet proof" the motor, but, from my understanding, the 05-07 model years were a horrendously bad motor. Unless you can get the truck at a great price, that leaves you room to fix stuff later, I would re-consider the purchase.

 

 

I owned a 2006 F350 6.0L for 12 years.. Be very careful buying it... Deep pockets, big wallet, have your own shop, never get too far from home...Carry an extra motor in the back...

Consider a 6.7L (2nd Generation) or a Cummins... Stay far away from the 6.4L...

 

I've read of plenty of people pulling heaiver than that. I also seen it going down the road almost every weekend.

One thing that has not been mentioned is the GCWR, which is 23,500 lbs. (https://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/20...pecifications/)

I'm not sure what your configuration is (cab size, bed length) but your GVWR is somwhere between 10,700 lbs and 11,500 lbs. That seems like a lot but things add up quick for truck weight (larger cab, more accessories/options, 4wd, etc.) so I am with senix...get your truck weighed.

Towing close to, at, or above the limit is something only you can decide where your comfort level is. Exceeding the maximum component ratings is something you should never do.

I'll use my truck as an example:

2003 Ford F-250 Crew Cab Short Bed 4wd
GVWR: 8,800 lbs
GCWR: 20,000 lbs
Towing Capacity: 12,500 lbs (trailer with equalizing) or 12,800 lbs (5th wheel)
Front GAWR: 5,200 lbs (Dana 60)
Rear GAWR: 6,084lbs (Sterling 10.5)
Tire rating: 3750lbs @ 80psi (Load Range E)

My truck weight (no driver, empty bed, full tank) is 7760lbs. 4400 lbs on the front axle and 3360 lbs on the rear The diesel and 4wd are not light). That gives me 1040 lbs to GVWR and 2742lbs to rear GAWR. Now dump me, the wife, and the kids in there...we'll say about 600 lbs. Conservatively estimating 1/2 that weight goes to each axle I'm now 440 lbs under GVWR and 2442 lbs under rear GAWR.

I am rated to two a 5er of 12,800 lbs wich would give me a pin weight of about 2500 lbs for a total of...58 lbs over the GAWR. A travel trailer tongue weight is only about 10-15%. Using that and the 12,500 max trailer weight gives me about 1500 lbs on the tongue. Even with gear in the back the axle is still not far from being maxed out. Any time the truck/trailer would bounce or have a rough patch in the road would have me cringing that something was going to give.

I'm not sure how things are in your area but if you are over that then you run the risk of a citation. This could be from getting pulled over or if you are in an accident. Being overweight could result in the accident being your fault regardless of what really happened. I understand that this is a slim chance but it is a possibility. In CA you need to take a test to get a 5th wheel endorsement to pull a 5er over 10K lbs (up to 15K lbs). For a 5er over 15K lbs you have to get a non-commercial Class A license to pull one of those.

I know that these trucks can (and do) pull at max/over weight and many do. Personally I like a margin of comfort (and safety), especially if I'm traveling far from home.

I'm not sure how often/far you plan to go but in the end it's your decision on what you want to do. If it were me I would make a decision whether to get a trailer to fit the truck or get a truck to fit the trailer and go from there.

Just my .02

 

The truck is still rated at that...

 

 

No you can't. My truck, regardless of age, condition, and performance still has a GVWR of 20,000 lbs. Am I as confident to test it now as I was 10 years ago...no. Is it still rated for that...yes.

No matter what your truck can/will do doesn't change what it's rated for. That's how I interepret what MisterCMK was trying to say.

 

You will need deep pockets for a diesel. They're a luxury in a way. Today's gas engines have power enough to pull right up to CDL levels. Obviously diesel engines better. ALL DIESEL ENGINES ARE EXPENSIVE TO OWN. No matter who makes it. Towing is a matter of comfort. I've 15k on a bumper hitch with a v10. It's not rated for it and I don't recommend it. I'd rather have a v10 dually then a diesel 250 simply for truck weight and brakes.