new tow vehicle

Hi all,

I'm looking at buying a new truck to tow a fifth wheel... I'm thinking of they F250 crew cab 2x4 with the turbo diesel shortbed w/auto trans. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff Banta
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"Jeff Banta" snipped-for-privacy@bellsouth.net wrote in news:cGltf.1331$ snipped-for-privacy@bignews5.bellsouth.net:

I have a 99 F350 Dually, which is essentially the same truck save springs. When we bough ours (used) we test drove a 250 extended cab 4x4 and the F350 crew 2x4. The 250 had the Lariat cab, and was manual opposed to the automatic on the 35o. Took the wife out in the 350 first, drove about 10-12 miles, then took out the 250. Did not get a mile down the road when she said I could turn it around. The 250 was louder and rougher ride. Personally, I would rather not have the Duals, as you are always having to watch your turns to be sure you can clear the 'pimples' in the back. As to load capacity, I have put two tone of gravel on it and it was like I did not even have a load. Pulled a 24ft hitch type trailer with a Ford

2n on it (approx 1.5 ton total), and again, very smooth operation, even going over some serious hills here in TN.

whichever you buy, be religious about oil changes, and change the filter each time. My brother, brother-in-law, father and myself all run Rotella, and my brother-inlaw and myself run the MobileOne synthetic oil filter because of a finer particle filter size. My Brother-in-law recommends the K&M <? may be K&W) air filters. Gives you around 8 more horse at cruising RPM and less drag on the motor. He and my brother have both run these engines in excess of 300k miles. I have only had mine a year, but I put

42000 on top of the 99k it had when I bought it. I expect to have it when it rolls 400k
Reply to
box-bb-bb-bb-car

The 250 will tow it all right, but the springs will sag. You will have to put overload springs on it to keep it level. Strongly suggest that you get the 350.

Reply to
Mellowed

Pin weight on the fifth wheels can be very heavy (like a ton). The size of the trailer is a consideration in that, certainly. So it depends on how big the fifth wheeler is.

In any case, it won't be a bad choice, but I agree with mellowed if the trailer is on the bigger end of the spectrum. The shortbeds don't have room for the trailer to jacknife when the pin is properly located, so most guys use a slider to move the hitch back when they need to do some drastic zig-zaggin.

The cab on the crew cab is just incredible. Unbelieveably roomy. It's embarrassing almost.

Reply to
Joe

That is a load of crap! Depending on the year F-250 & F-350's often have the exact same springs! More often than not the physical differences are non existent and the weight rating differences are strictly on paper.

Before I bought my new 2005 F-450 6.0-Liter Power Stroke Turbo Diesel, I towed a 9000 pound fifth wheel RV trailer and a 3 horse goose neck horse trailer many thousands of miles with an F-250 4x4 460 gas truck, and the only time the overloads touched their stops (you can see the clean spot on the rubber stop) was in the rarest occasions going over rough terrain. With a 1200 pound pin weight on the F-250, the rear was dropped about an inch, no where near touching the overload springs, and far from sagging the springs. I love my new F-450, and it's giant brakes, but the F-250 was more than up to the task...

Reply to
351CJ

Whatever you get, if you get something with a short-bed, you will need a sliding fifth wheel hitch. If you don't have one you could damage the rear of the cab and the front of the trailer. The slider allows you to shift the hitch back so that in situations where you have to turn tight you will not hit the trailer. It slides forward for normal running so the weight is where it should be. Over and ever so slightly in front of the rear axle.

Reply to
Marlin Singer

You do not need a dualie to carry 2 tons effectively. I carry 2 tons of salt at times in my K3500 SRW with no issues at all and you do not really notice it in handling or breaking. As good sturdy 3/4 or 1 ton with proper engine and gearing can be a very seriuos tow vehicle and hauler.

Reply to
TheSnoMan

Reply to
TheSnoMan

Agreed. I tow my 5th wheel with a 350 SRW with no problems. My hitch weight is 2300 lbs.

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Reply to
Mellowed

Gees, you are sure ignorant.

: > The 250 will tow it all right, but the springs will sag. You will have : > to put overload springs on it to keep it level. Strongly suggest that : > you get the 350. : >

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Reply to
Mellowed

The F-250 will certainly pull the load. But I suspect your fifth wheel will overload an F-250, exceeding the truck's GVWR.

Before you buy, you should calculate the weights and compare the calculated numbers with the truck's axle ratings, tire ratings, GVWR and GCVWR. Then you might want to ask your insurance agent about coverage when the vehicle is overloaded, if the math suggests you're anywhere close to being overweight.

Bob

Reply to
Bob Peterson

Reply to
Dave Lee

With the 1300 lbs plus engine up front this comes as no surprize. How do you think a truck that the front end that weighs far more than the rear end is going to back up a grassy slope anyway? Good point though because most that get oilburners do not consider the impact of the added weight up front on 2wd performance.

Reply to
TheSnoMan

I can prove what I say can you dumb ass???

Reply to
351CJ

I would welcome that. Please prove it. Keep in mind that the OP is referring to a 2005-2006 model year. The fact that you refer to a 460 engine states that you are not talking a new truck. Now, you are saying that the rear springs are exactly the same for a F250 as for an F350. Show us.

Now, I called you ignorant, not dumb. Ignorant defines a lack of knowledge of a specific topic. Dumb implies that there is no hope of acquiring the knowledge. I still believe you to be just 'Ignorant'. Please don't prove that you are dumb.

: > Gees, you are sure ignorant. : : : : I can prove what I say can you dumb ass??? : : : : >

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: > : > The 250 will tow it all right, but the springs will sag. You will : > have : > : > to put overload springs on it to keep it level. Strongly suggest : > that : > : > you get the 350. : > : >

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Reply to
Mellowed

The original poster may well be referring to a 2005-2006 model year, but that has not been stated, and at this point is still only an assumption on your part. You evidently need to go back and reread all the posts, in order to refrain from appearing DUMB.

"Depending on the year F-250 & F-350's often have the exact same springs! More often than not the physical differences are non existent and the weight rating differences are strictly on paper." For my edification, where does that mention a specific year?

For that matter, "I'm looking at buying a new truck to tow a fifth wheel... I'm thinking of they F250 crew cab 2x4 with the turbo diesel shortbed w/auto trans. Any insight would be appreciated." Where does this original post mention a specific year?

You are the only one that has said any thing specifically about a 2005-2006 model year. When you ask me to prove what I said, rather than some shit you made up, let me know...

Gees, you are sure ignorant!

Reply to
351CJ

My goodness. You are a total waste. If the OP says that he is looking at a 'new' truck, do you really think he is referring to a 1985?? or something like that?? Wise up!

: > I would welcome that. Please prove it. Keep in mind that the OP is : > referring to a 2005-2006 model year. The fact that you refer to a

460 : > engine states that you are not talking a new truck. Now, you are saying : > that the rear springs are exactly the same for a F250 as for an F350. : > Show us. : >

: > Now, I called you ignorant, not dumb. Ignorant defines a lack of : > knowledge of a specific topic. Dumb implies that there is no hope of : > acquiring the knowledge. I still believe you to be just 'Ignorant'. : > Please don't prove that you are dumb. : >

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: > : > Gees, you are sure ignorant. : > : : > : : > : : > : I can prove what I say can you dumb ass??? : > : : > : : > : : > : >

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: > : > : > The 250 will tow it all right, but the springs will sag. You : > will : > : > have : > : > : > to put overload springs on it to keep it level. Strongly : > suggest : > : > that : > : > : > you get the 350. : > : > : >

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Reply to
Mellowed

"The 250 will tow it all right, but the springs will sag."

"Gees, you are sure ignorant!"

LMFAO

Reply to
351CJ

If the springs sag, it is easily fixed by adding a leaf or two to each side because the frame, brakes and axle is the same as a F350 SRW.

351CJ wrote:
Reply to
TheSnoMan

Reply to
Jeff Banta

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