Ford 7.3 owners towing 12,000 lb 5th

Trail-Mate wrote:
Ford made 2 different F250's in 97, a regular and Heavy Duty. Mine is the HD.

Well, I always like learning something new :B

Ford made 2 different F250's in 97, a regular and Heavy Duty. Mine is the HD. Truck scale info from memory. Door Sticker GVWR 8800lbs. Scaled Weight on Cat scale. a couple pounds over 6K, it was full of fuel, Reese 16K hitch in bed, Westin Step Bars installed, and myself. My Ford owners manual list GCWR at 20K with 4:10 gearing. I don't remember the exact numbers for rear only weight but I did figure out what the payload would have to be to max the tire rating and it was 3200lbs. I have not made any suspension changes running stock setup. The truck has never squatted below level in the rear with the trailer I have. This is a 4X2 truck and the spring pack looks different than the F250HD 4X4 trucks I have seen. The rear end in this truck is Ford Corporate, when I had the rear wheel bearing changed my mechanic friend had to have NAPA bring out 4 sets before they could get the right ones. The ones that fit were also listed for smaller dual wheel buses and similar trucks.

rhagfo wrote:

rjstractor wrote:
His truck being a 1997, it probably only weighs 6000 pounds empty. Those trucks were way lighter than newer ones, the 1999+ Super Duty probably weighed 1000 pounds more. I had a '94 4x4 F250 SC with a 460 that only weighed 5200. So he's got 2800 pounds payload. Having said that, he may be over on GVWR but still under on RGAWR.

Well that could be part of the difference, the other could be that my Ram is is a option bloated TV for it's age, not much missing except Leather and Alarm. As stated before I am fine on axle and tire ratings, just that darn 8,800# GVWR.

I don't know either. My 1996 F350 7.3 PSD 4x4 is only rated to tow like 12,200 or 12,500 from 5th wheel configuration. The F250's were rated at a lesser number. Though never doubt that the 7.3 PSD is more than capable.

I have almost the identical truck as the OP, even an electronic exhaust brake... But a manual 6spd with 275 HP. Plenty of power to pull a 18K load in the mountains. And for the weight police... a gooseneck trailer pulls fine with 10% pin weight.

rjstractor wrote:
His truck being a 1997, it probably only weighs 6000 pounds empty. Those trucks were way lighter than newer ones, the 1999+ Super Duty probably weighed 1000 pounds more. I had a '94 4x4 F250 SC with a 460 that only weighed 5200. So he's got 2800 pounds payload. Having said that, he may be over on GVWR but still under on RGAWR.

Well that could be part of the difference, the other could be that my Ram is is a option bloated TV for it's age, not much missing except Leather and Alarm. As stated before I am fine on axle and tire ratings, just that darn 8,800# GVWR.

His truck being a 1997, it probably only weighs 6000 pounds empty. Those trucks were way lighter than newer ones, the 1999+ Super Duty probably weighed 1000 pounds more. I had a '94 4x4 F250 SC with a 460 that only weighed 5200. So he's got 2800 pounds payload. Having said that, he may be over on GVWR but still under on RGAWR.

Trail-Mate wrote:
I am very happy in that way mine tows. I have open Air intake, 5 Inch MBRP exhaust with larger down pipe. TS 6 position Chip set set on 50HP. Truck was upgraded from 3:55 to 4:10 gearing. Aeroforge Gauge to monitor all vital settings Heaviest my trailer was was 12,200 on one trip scaled. I am under all my max weight ratings for this combination. I get solid 19 to 20 mpg running unloaded. No Motor modifications have been done, Its stock with 240K miles on it now.

:h

Ok I understand, that you only have a 4X2, but also only a 8,800# GVWR on that 97 F250. With a 5er that has a dry weight of 10,400#, you stated max load at 12,200# how did you stay within the GVWR of 8,800#. Do you only carry one set of cloths, and food only for dinner tonight?

Do you pack all the heavy stuff in the back of the 5er to reduce the pin wight. Just can't see how you do it. Some how you managed to keep a whole lot of weight off of the pin, that I can't.
Only the 2016 F150 have Aluminum bodies.

I am not the weight Police, far from it, just can't figure how you are under 8,800# total of the TV axles? I understand being under Tire and axle ratings, me too no issue there, GVWR not even close.

I am very happy in that way mine tows. I have open Air intake, 5 Inch MBRP exhaust with larger down pipe. TS 6 position Chip set set on 50HP. Truck was upgraded from 3:55 to 4:10 gearing. Aeroforge Gauge to monitor all vital settings Heaviest my trailer was was 12,200 on one trip scaled. I am under all my max weight ratings for this combination. I get solid 19 to 20 mpg running unloaded. No Motor modifications have been done, Its stock with 240K miles on it now.

M.R.E. wrote:
I now have a Columbus 340RK, loaded about 12,400, pulls great. With the Cougar I averaged 11.9 mph towing from MI to FL. I had no problems in the Mountains.I have only 104,000 on it.Excellent condition, I'll probably keep it.

M.R.E., tried to send you a P.M. but you don't allow. If you would send me a P.M., I would like to ask a few questions about your truck. Thanks, John

I have owned 2- 7.3 PSD's That I used to tow an 11K loaded TT. They did a great job.
However I would not likely buy one in this era simply because the 7.3's while capable are old technology. They will get the job done but there are now better reasonably priced options now available.