baddogz28

Been googling tow ratings for these older super duties and haven't had much luck finding out what the 5.4V8 and the V10's are able to tow... The results mainly come up with ratings for the new ones.

Looking at picking up a 28-30 foot boat and a tow rig. I don't want to break the bank, but don't want to skimp on safety either.

Anyone have any experience pulling with this age F250? Have any idea what they are capable of?

baddogz28

Anybody?

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

There is a website for Trailer Life magazine or similar that had EVERYTHING. I'll see if I can find it.

dkammeyer

Have towed with an F250 as well as an F350 4wd not a dully and pull a 272 Formula with out any problems. I do have elec. braked on the trailer and that helps a lot. Pull a 5th wheel with about 16000# , that is starting to make it work. Have the 6.0 diesel and do ok with that load but if I get into the hills of Mo. it will struggle a little. Can't beat hp.

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

This is the site I was originally thinking of:
http://www.trailerlife.com

Specifically here:
http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175

This site is MUCH better than the first one.

Indy

That vintage transmission has probably been replaced or rebuilt in more F250/350s than not, if the ones you're looking at haven't been, they'll be soon.

Here's the site for the best feedback...

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php

baddogz28

Thanks for the links man, checking it out now.

US1 Fountain

iTrader: (1)

Had a '00 250 SD 4x4 Ext cab, 5.4L and towed my 32' Fountian no problem. No problem running 80 on the highway. Towed with OD off.

Currently same truck but an '03 w V-10, not a huge difference but the extra HP is nice.

The 5.4 got better MPG towing than my V10

Lacked a little going up steep grades though, but not enough to throw on the flashers.

baddogz28

That's the kind of testimonial I was looking for. Thanks for the info.

MILD THUNDER

iTrader: (3)

Chris, a F250-f350 from 99-04 had identical brakes, powertrains, axles, sway bars, frame, so on and so on. The only difference was the F350 trucks had 4" blocks under the rear leafs, the F250's had 2", made the F350's stand taller in the ass. Oh, and the GVW tag on the door reads higher on the F350 obviously, or it wouldnt be labeled a 1 ton.

With that being said, I have had the following trucks

1999 F250 SuperCab XLT 4x4 V10. Liked the V10, pulled great, mpg sucked, obviously. But nice truck.

2004 F250 Crewcab 4x4 with 5.4 V8 Lariat. Nice truck around town, had the snowplow prep pckg(heavy front springs) and camper pckg(heavy rear springs) 4:10 axles. This truck had the best towing suspension of all 3 trucks. Gas mileage comparable to V10, but power merging with the boat in tow was not too great. With a 25ft boat in tow, the entire rig wieghed 15k lbs fueled and geared up. In my opinion, with a twin engine 30ft boat, you will probably be around 17-18k for the entire rig, in my opinion, that is too much weight to haul with a 330CI gas engine.

Current truck, 2004 F250 Crew cab Diesel. Standard springs front and rear. Gas mileage better than gas engines, and power is much, much better towing. With the tuner installed, merging, on ramps, stop light to stop light is effortless. I should have opted for the heavier spring packages, but still tows great.

Ford offered a few different spring packages back then. I will have to check, but I believe they are listed in the trucks door tag or vin. Pretty sure the door tag. X springs were the heavy fronts(plow pckg), not sure on the rears.

Bottom line, any of the trucks will pull a 27-30ft boat safely. Most important is trailer brakes, I HATE surge brakes. They work, but the jerking action from the trailer tongue sucks, and backing up can be a issue with certain surge brakes.

I vote for straight electric, or electric over hydraulic setups. You will be in fresh water, so straight electric shouldnt be an issue. My new 40 trailer has straight electric on all 3 axles.