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Ford F-Series Towing Questions

46 messages,  Last post on Oct 04, 2010 at 6:48 PM

You are in the Ford F-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford F-150, Ford F-250 Super Duty, Ford F-350 Super Duty, Towing, Truck

Messages Page 2 of 5

#7 of 46 FWIW, by landru2

Dec 14, 2003 (2:38 pm)

The 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton terms have been out of date for for a decade or more. Basing any decision on those designations won't get you anywhere.
 
Pulling a 6500lb trailer with a truck rated for 9800lb is well within safe parameters. However, did I read right that you you intend to pull it off the bumper? That would not be recommended and would likely be very unsafe.

#8 of 46 Towing by softstor

Dec 14, 2003 (5:34 pm)

A bumper pull trailer is not a trailer that connects to a bumper. It is a trailer that connects to the trailer hitch on the back of the vehicle, supposed to a goose neck trailer that connects to a trailer hitch on the bed of the truck.

#9 of 46 Gotcha. by landru2

Dec 14, 2003 (8:09 pm)

Just making sure. :^)

#10 of 46 landru2 by mullins87

Dec 15, 2003 (6:30 am)

Being able to safely pull a trailer across across Kansas at 50 mph has absolutely no bearing on pulling that same trailer across the Rockies. It may very well fall within the stated ratings. However, have you ever compared the brakes on a 1/2 ton truck to those of a 3/4 or 1 ton? I can tell you from experience those "tin can" rotors and drums on a 1/2 ton will not stop a 15,000 lb vehicle on anything but flat ground. Where did I get 15,000 lbs? The combined weight of the 9,800 lb trailer and the approximately 5,000 lb truck. I will not give you any names, but I can point you to several examples of how using too small of a tow vehicle will get you into trouble.
 
BTW: I realize the 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton designations are just that, designations. They give no indications of hauling/towing capacities.

#11 of 46 Start and stop by akjbmw

Dec 15, 2003 (9:04 am)

Manufacturers don't normally "waste" money putting any part that is more expensive than is minimally required.
If both systems; the truck AND the trailer are working fine, you should have no difficulty stopping. Starting or going uphill is, naturally, not going to be as quick as without a trailer. But, but we know how that works if we have seen a tractor trailer climbing a grade while we wait for a chance to get by.
So, the problems come in when a system fails and the other system is required to stop both the truck and the trailer weight. That can get knuckles white.
Drive ahead. Pay closer attention to what is coming and prepare. Caution can be a really good thing.
 
Enjoy the miles.
Adrian

#12 of 46 mullins87, by landru2

Dec 15, 2003 (7:34 pm)

Have you compared the brakes on a new F-150 to those on the F-250/350?

#13 of 46 Nope by mullins87

Dec 16, 2003 (5:41 pm)

But I can assure your there's no comparison to the shear mass of them. And that shear mass is what keeps a 15,000 lb load from speeding out of control when the trailer brakes fail on a long downhill grade.

#14 of 46 What if I told you by landru2

Dec 16, 2003 (6:31 pm)

that the brakes are the same?

#15 of 46 Ok... by mullins87

Dec 17, 2003 (6:23 pm)

I'll bite. What are the specs for the F-150 and F-250 brakes? Not just rotor dimensions and weights, but also calipers and pads.

#16 of 46 2004 f-350 crew cab towing by seamule51

Jan 29, 2007 (12:03 am)

Messages Page 2 of 5

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