We finally found an RV that my wife can see us living in for a couple of years, 2014 Silverback 33RL. The unit weighted right at my desired limit of 11,000 lbs. I want to start this venture with my current 2001 F-250 Diesel pick-up that's rated to tow 13,400 lbs. I've constantly been told by sales people that my truck will have no problems towing a 5th wheel of this size but thought it would be wise to post here and look for opinions. I want to stay below the legal weight of 13,400 lbs and my brother owns a trucking company so his mechanic will be adding a larger radiator, fan and trans cooler as well as anything else that will help with towing. I love my 7.3 engine and I hoping I can start out with this truck at least until we're sure this is something we want to continue to do. Thank you for any help or suggestions you can offer.JDJ

The Silverback 33RL is approximately 11k# empty sitting on the lot. The GVWR of that trailer is 14k# and using it full time you are likely going to be close to that 14k#. That FW is dually territory (maybe some SRW 1 tons) but not a 2001 3/4 ton. You definitely have enough motor with the 7.3L powerstroke but not enough chassis/suspension

Hi,The larger transmission cooler is a great idea. However the radiator is already fairly large, and up to the task. Fan does not need to be replaced. If you have had any problems with overheating, then the fan clutch can be replaced, and that will cool things off really well.The transmission on your model year was a lot weaker than the current transmissions that have the 300+ HP engines and into the 750 foot pounds of torque range. So the 7.3L was basically de-rated a lot to keep the transmission from overheating and dying. It is more clutch slipage than transmission heat that your transmission is worried about.What I might do to that truck to make it ready for a 2 year long trip is change the transmission fluid by removing one of the transmission cooler lines, start the engine for about 5 minutes until the fluid stops coming out. Then remove the pan, change the filter, clean the magnet and reinstall the pan, refill with fluid, and install a larger cooler at that time. For the rear axle, change that fluid to synthitic fluid.If you have not replaced the brake fluid in 5 years, replace it now.Check the brake pads and shoes.Lube all the points in the suspension. Check the steering arm, if it is weak or twists, it needs to be replaced to have stable steering. Print all this out for them, I am sure all these things are already on the mechanic's mind, and they will be happy to do the work to get it ready.I also have a Napa water filter on my coolant lines. Napa part #FIL 4070 and a kit to install it Napa #FIL 4019. It is put inline with the heater hose, and you change it after about 3 months, then every year thereafter in the fall.Fred.

hmknightnc wrote:The Silverback 33RL is approximately 11k# empty sitting on the lot. The GVWR of that trailer is 14k# and using it full time you are likely going to be close to that 14k#. That FW is dually territory (maybe some SRW 1 tons) but not a 2001 3/4 ton. You definitely have enough motor with the 7.3L powerstroke but not enough chassis/suspensionHow heavy of a trailer would be max for my truck in you opinion?

Golden_HVAC wrote:Hi,The larger transmission cooler is a great idea. However the radiator is already fairly large, and up to the task. Fan does not need to be replaced. If you have had any problems with overheating, then the fan clutch can be replaced, and that will cool things off really well.The transmission on your model year was a lot weaker than the current transmissions that have the 300+ HP engines and into the 750 foot pounds of torque range. So the 7.3L was basically de-rated a lot to keep the transmission from overheating and dying. It is more clutch slipage than transmission heat that your transmission is worried about.What I might do to that truck to make it ready for a 2 year long trip is change the transmission fluid by removing one of the transmission cooler lines, start the engine for about 5 minutes until the fluid stops coming out. Then remove the pan, change the filter, clean the magnet and reinstall the pan, refill with fluid, and install a larger cooler at that time. For the rear axle, change that fluid to synthitic fluid.If you have not replaced the brake fluid in 5 years, replace it now.Check the brake pads and shoes.Lube all the points in the suspension. Check the steering arm, if it is weak or twists, it needs to be replaced to have stable steering. Print all this out for them, I am sure all these things are already on the mechanic's mind, and they will be happy to do the work to get it ready.I also have a Napa water filter on my coolant lines. Napa part #FIL 4070 and a kit to install it Napa #FIL 4019. It is put inline with the heater hose, and you change it after about 3 months, then every year thereafter in the fall.Fred.Thank you for these suggestions, they have been printed.JDJ

Your going to be really pushing it with the pin weight of that trailer on a 01 F250. Our 5ver is under 10K and it nearly maxxed out our 02 F350 when fully loaded for a trip (bikes, canoe, firewood, genny, food and a week of cloths).Compare the pin weight with your available payload. You may want to consider airbags or other suspension improvements.

Silerback 33RL & 2001 F-250 | Good Sam Community

Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
Hi,

The larger transmission cooler is a great idea. However the radiator is already fairly large, and up to the task. Fan does not need to be replaced. If you have had any problems with overheating, then the fan clutch can be replaced, and that will cool things off really well.

The transmission on your model year was a lot weaker than the current transmissions that have the 300+ HP engines and into the 750 foot pounds of torque range. So the 7.3L was basically de-rated a lot to keep the transmission from overheating and dying. It is more clutch slipage than transmission heat that your transmission is worried about.

What I might do to that truck to make it ready for a 2 year long trip is change the transmission fluid by removing one of the transmission cooler lines, start the engine for about 5 minutes until the fluid stops coming out. Then remove the pan, change the filter, clean the magnet and reinstall the pan, refill with fluid, and install a larger cooler at that time.

For the rear axle, change that fluid to synthitic fluid.

If you have not replaced the brake fluid in 5 years, replace it now.

Check the brake pads and shoes.

Lube all the points in the suspension. Check the steering arm, if it is weak or twists, it needs to be replaced to have stable steering.

Print all this out for them, I am sure all these things are already on the mechanic's mind, and they will be happy to do the work to get it ready.

I also have a Napa water filter on my coolant lines. Napa part #FIL 4070 and a kit to install it Napa #FIL 4019. It is put inline with the heater hose, and you change it after about 3 months, then every year thereafter in the fall.

Fred.
hmknightnc
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
The Silverback 33RL is approximately 11k# empty sitting on the lot. The GVWR of that trailer is 14k# and using it full time you are likely going to be close to that 14k#. That FW is dually territory (maybe some SRW 1 tons) but not a 2001 3/4 ton. You definitely have enough motor with the 7.3L powerstroke but not enough chassis/suspension

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