railman
Adrian, Michigan
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This is my first post on the Forum. I have been RV'ing for 20 years, all sorts of trailers, popups, truck campers, etc. In January of this year, we purchased a 25ft fiver. It weights 5700 dry, 7700 wet with a 1000 lb. pin. I am looking at a 2002 Ford F250 SD with the 5.4 liter V-8 and a 3.73 gear. The truck is a 4x2 Quadcab, Long box. The dealer is discounting the truck alot ($4000), probably because it is a gaser and a 4x2. I would like opinions from anyone if this truck would pull my trailer without any problems. I am impressed with the torque figures Ford quotes on the 5.4 V-8. If I'm not mistaken, 350 ft. lbs., and 260 hp. Thanks
1991 Dodge D250, 2000 Tracker 23 5M 5th wheel.
Me and the Dog and a girl named Kate!!!
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David Mack
Estevan,Sk.,Canada
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Joined: 03/29/2002
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Where I work we have similar F250 Sd's with 5.4 L and I'm pretty sure it will struggle with #6000 + tralier.
The truck itself is pretty heavy for a 5.4 L It's going to have a pretty thirsty appetite for fuel too. They all use more fuel when towing, but there should be some pulling power associated with that. Get the V-10 atleast.
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Roadfrog
Chilliwack, BC Canada
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Joined: 04/27/2001
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I would'nt. You stated that the truck is a "quad cab" (Dodge terminology) and I'll assume that you mean an extended cab and not a crew? Either way you will be exceeding the tow ratings. Here's Ford's tow site which rates the F250 Reg cab's tow rating as 8000 lbs and the crew/extended cabs from 300-600lbs less. The GCWR for all F250's with 3.73 axles are 13,500 lbs. My F350 crewcab weighs 7500 lbs with a full tank of gas and 3 passengers.
Try to get at least a 4.10 axle with that engine or swap in the gears yourself and raise your tow rating a fair bit.
http://www.fleet.ford.com/products/rv_trailer_towing/2002/SuperDuty_F250_350.pdf
Cheers
Chris
1999 Winnebago Itasca Spirit 29N
1988 Campion Allante 195
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railman
Adrian, Michigan
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Thanks Roadfrog. You are right, it is an extended cab truck. Based on what I saw in Fords website, the truck is rated right about 7700 with the 3.73 gear. If you go to the 4.10, the rated goes up to 9100 or so. I'm amazed that is increases so much just with a gear change. I'm wondering if I would put 2000 lbs of stuff in the trailer. So, my thinking is that I would be under the 7700 lbs most of the time. Anyway, I don't like to order vehicles. I always buy off the lot. I like to see what I am getting and this local Ford dealer is really dealing on this peticular truck. Could probably buy it for less than $26000.
Thanks
1991 Dodge D250, 2000 Tracker 23 5M fiver.
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Kusani
Tennessee
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Joined: 10/12/2001
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Railman...hiya....
Be careful.... you are talking about being 'under' the max rating most of the time??? IMO, you will be much happier with a tow vehicle where you are 'under' all the time and have at least 1,000 to 2,000 lbs to spare. Otherwise you will find yourself constantly wishing for more power and better handling over all. Give it some thought?
Happy Rv'in
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Jetsfan68
NJ
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Get the V10- I agree with others-
I test drove the 250 with the 5.4- Did seem like a lot of truck for that engine- I went with the V10 and it makes a big difference.
2001 F250SD 4x4 Crew- V10/Lariat 4.30 Rear- New Ride-Rites
*NEW* 2005 Durango by KZ 295BH 30' bunkhouse
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railman
Adrian, Michigan
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Thanks everyone. I will consider a bigger engine. Possibly the V-10.
1991 Dodge D-250, 2000 Tracker 23 5M fiver
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V10gunner
Davis, Ca
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The V-10 with the 4.30LS is the way to go. Look at the towing tables- it will outperform the 5.4L V-8 by a large margin. The V-10 is only a $600.00 option and I believe the 4.30 LS is maybe another $300.00 or so.
Good luck.
'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, Auto, 4.30LS, Camper Package, Snugtop Xtra Vision Cab-high shell, AutoMeter Trans. Temp. gauge, Banks Stinger and TransCommand, Bilstein shocks, Prodigy Brake Controller
2001 Nash 22H
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V10 man
Mesa, AZ
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The V10 is the way to go. If you are concerned about mpg get the V10 w/3.73 gears. The V10 should get about 1 mpg less than the 5.4L because it isn't working so hard. The 5.4L 3.73 combo is not really a good towing combo. 4.10 gears would be better with the V8 but like I said, the V10/3.73 would get about the same mpg.
2007 Dodge 6.7 Cummins, 6sp auto, Quad cab, long bed, white, Prodigy
2009 Shockwave T29FBSP, white & blue, tan interior, 4000W Onan, Reese Dual Cam 15K/1,500.
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LAdams
Northern Illinois
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I think the truck is too heavy for the 5.4...
The base weight for my 4X4 XLT Extrended cab was right around #6000... When fully loaded I scale around #7650...
The V10 with 3:73 does a nice job towing our almost #7000 TT and still manages to get around 9.0-9.5 mpg most of the time...
I think you'll be disapointed with performance with the 5.4L... The truck is heavy and by the time you add the TT, your really going to asking a lot from the 330 c.i. motor...
Best Regards,
Les
2000 Ford F-250SD, XLT, 4X4 Off Road, SuperCab
w/ 6.8L (415 C.I.) V-10/3:73LS/4R100
Banks Power Pack w/Trans Command & OttoMind
2006 Nomad 3150 Double Slide (Bunkhouse)
Hensley Arrow
Jordan Ultima 2020
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HOME MADE WHEEL CHOCKS
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