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Old 06-26-2010, 06:23 AM   #1
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I think I know the answer to this, but was hoping for best. I purchased a 2006 CF30QB for a great price. When I bought the camper I was promised my truck would be fine, and that he towed it with the same truck. Well I did some research and am not too sure.



I have a 2002 Ford F-250 crew cab(5.4 gas). I got 10 different answers when checking the GVW for towing with my truck, from 9k to 12K. Even took it to ford and gave them the vin and they couldn't tell me. I was told it had a tow package when I bought the truck, however ford couldn't confirm that. My camper is roughly 8k dry and 12k GVW.



We are thinking about trading the camper in ona TT that is more suited for my truck and would actually make a few buck in the process, but would love to make it work with the 5er. I have Timbren's installed in the truck if that helps my cause at all.



Thanks for the help, and hopefully good news.
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Old 06-26-2010, 06:35 AM   #2
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Here is some more reading for you. Maybe it will help.

http://www.edmunds.com/ford/f250supe...2/review.html#

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Old 06-26-2010, 07:26 AM   #3
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You will be OK carrying the pin weight but performance limitations from your drivetrain will not make for a pleasant towing experience. Check out http://www.trailerlife.com/images/do...owingguide.pdf
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Old 06-26-2010, 10:12 AM   #4
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I agree that the drivetrain is the biggest issue you face towing the fiver. One thing that determines towing capacity is the axle ratio. Same truck, same engine will have different GCWR and Max. Towing numbers based on the ratio. First, you need to find out what ratio you have. Most common for your truck will be 3.55. Upgrading to 3.73 or 4.10 will make it a better tow vehicle regardless of what trailer you end up with. Assuming the truck is 2WD and out of warranty, cost at a speed shop or good garage should be maybe $600. Fuel mileage will decrease, but there is no free lunch when it comes to having sufficient power to move a lot of weight.



BTW, Max. Towing Weight is not a federal limit, it is a performance limit. If your needs are occasional towing or level towing you can probably get by with less performance than a full-timer.
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Old 06-26-2010, 12:23 PM   #5
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According to Trailer Life, and Axle ratio...the number is 10,200 or 12,200. I believe that for that year the standard axle was 3:73 with an optional 4:30 with the gas motors. Either way, while the 5.4 is a good motor, the towing experience will not be very enjoyable as others have stated. In addition, the R4100 auto tranny does not do very well pulling heavier loads. Ford is discounting the 2010 superduties right now, might be time to trade up....

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Old 06-26-2010, 09:09 PM   #6
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I can't believe a 3/4 ton truck isn't big enough to pull a cf30qb this must be a lead lined camper. I would try pulling it and if it works keep the truck and spend my money on camping.
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Old 06-27-2010, 12:20 AM   #7
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cwit....in reference to a 3/4 ton truck, I had a 250 with a 5.4, 4 wh dr with a 3.73 rear end, my first crossroads was a 27RL cruiser 5th wheel, a small unit for sure, when I started to pull on flat ground it was passable, not good by anymeans, on hills it was terrible, I thought exactly the same as you, at that time the cruiser brochure said they were half ton units, I took it to a few shops, and one speed shop and was told the same thing by all of them "you got alot of truck and no motor".......and it was true, I sold the truck a week later, and as far as fuel economy there wasn't any, it was terrible to say the least, the 250 gas is a nice truck to run around in but I would never consider pulling a 5th wheel with one.....
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Old 06-27-2010, 02:51 AM   #8
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I guess this is what I expected to hear, but was hoping for the best.





My only question is what do you consider and unlpleasant experience. Is it just that I will be doing 35 mph up the hills, or is there a safety issue here. Or am I going to blow my trans or engine.The thought was to keep the 5er and use my truck for a year or two with no major trips, just some local stuff (under 100 miles per trip) and then look into replacing the truck with something more suitable. My wife and kids will be with me so if it's a safety issue, then the 5er goes. Or if it's putting up with taking it nice and slow, then I can live with that. Thanks again for all your help!
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Old 06-27-2010, 03:47 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trevordog
I guess this is what I expected to hear, but was hoping for the best.Â*





My only question is what do you consider and unlpleasant experience.Â* Is it just that I will be doing 35 mph up the hills, or is there a safety issue here.Â* Or am I going to blow my trans or engine.Â*The thought was to keep the 5er and use my truck for a year or two with no major trips, just some local stuff (under 100 miles per trip) and then look into replacing the truck with something more suitable.Â* My wife and kids will be with me so if it's a safety issue, then the 5er goes.Â* Or if it's putting up with taking it nice and slow, then I can live with that.Â* Thanks again for all your help!


Not a safety issue except to the extent that you hold up other traffic. You could have engine or tranny issues if pushed too hard, somewhat depends on how well the truck has been maintained and if you have a HD or aftermarket tranny cooler. If it is just 100 miles, then being a little slow won't delay you or tire you out too much. Don't expect to run the A/C, at least up hill or with a strong head wind. Certainly, I would try it once at least and then decide.
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Old 06-27-2010, 01:03 PM   #10
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The F250 will easly handle the pin weight. It more than likely handle more pin weight than my 2500HD due to the light drivetrain. You will be screaming 4000 rpms up any little incline or head wind.
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Old 06-27-2010, 02:57 PM   #11
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Try it before you decide. My 250 is newer and has the 300 hp 3 valve engine, 5 speed tranny, and 4.10 rear end. Also 2wd. I don't have any problems pulling our 30sk. If need be I can maintain 55 mph in 3rd gear at 3,700 rpm. No problem for that motor. A lot depends on how many miles you are going to tow. I have had my truck 3-1/2 years and only have about 21,000 miles on it. About 17,000 are towing. No way could I justify a diesel and have not been in a situation that I felt the diesel would have made that much difference. Have been to the Smokies, lots of Tenn., Alabama, and midwest areas. Just my two cents.
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Old 07-08-2010, 02:48 AM   #12
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After towing with a gas motor and then switching to diesel, I would never tow with a gas motor again. Just my opinion.

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Old 07-08-2010, 12:16 PM   #13
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Wasn't trying to start a truck war. Just giving my opinion from three years of towing a 30sk so that the original poster could make an informed decision about his situation. We all make the best decision we can from our own experience and the advice that others give us. JMHO.
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Old 07-09-2010, 10:39 AM   #14
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Sorry never owned a 5wheeler but towed lots of miles with gas motors,bought a trans in the middle of nowhere Montana(not fun but worked out).Upgraded tow vehical and bought a trans rebuild on the road in that .Upgraded again to a brand new van and cooked that trans also.Always wanted a diesel but DW wanted kid cruzer convertion vans.Now have Duramax and I know why MOST people tow with diesel,they are MADE to tow (Ford,Dodge GM just pick your flavor).
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Old 07-11-2010, 03:39 AM   #15
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Been fulltiming 5 years with 29CK, 11,000 pounds plus, lots of miles. Diesel is the only way to go. No strain on engine or tranny going up grades. 2k RPM on diesel is a lot less strain on engine and tranny than 4k on gasser.

Just my opinion.



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Old 07-12-2010, 12:13 AM   #16
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I liked my 8.1L with the Allison tranny for pulling my 31QB. This was one gasser that was built to tow. Gas mileage was between 7 - 8mpg. You see what I have now...enough said.
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