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F350 Supercab 7.3L Diesel Dually TV - Can it Pull it?

kjmedwards
Explorer
Explorer
Hi,

I recently purchased a 2002 F350 Supercab 7.3L Diesel Dually 4X4. It has 60K miles and in great shape. This truck has a GVWR of 11,500, Rear GAWR of 8,350 and Front of 5,200.

We are looking at a Heartland Road Warrior fifth wheel, toy hauler. It has a GVWR of 18,000 and a dry weight of 14,090. The hitch weight of the RV is 3,200.

I am new to the fifth wheel world and am trying to determine if my truck can handle this trailer? I wanted to see if folks had some insights that could help us make the right decision. If you need more information, please let me know.

Thanks again for any advice you might have.
16 REPLIES 16

larry_barnhart
Explorer
Explorer
kjmedwards wrote:
Hi,

I recently purchased a 2002 F350 Supercab 7.3L Diesel Dually 4X4. It has 60K miles and in great shape. This truck has a GVWR of 11,500, Rear GAWR of 8,350 and Front of 5,200.

We are looking at a Heartland Road Warrior fifth wheel, toy hauler. It has a GVWR of 18,000 and a dry weight of 14,090. The hitch weight of the RV is 3,200.

I am new to the fifth wheel world and am trying to determine if my truck can handle this trailer? I wanted to see if folks had some insights that could help us make the right decision. If you need more information, please let me know.

Thanks again for any advice you might have.




If you buy this truck you will find out the reverse gear is on the high side so when backing up and needing to give it more throttle to get it moving this will dump the trannie fluid on the ground. The fix is to use the 4x4 low because this will be a lower ratio and save you the problem.
chevman
chevman
2019 rockwood 34 ft fifth wheel sold
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy



KSH 55 inbed fuel tank

scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
TST tire monitors
FMCA # F479110

blt2ski
Moderator
Moderator
jerem0621 wrote:
Just for comparison sake.

My 99 2wd V10 Gasser Crew Cab XL (no options but AC) weighs 7600 lbs scaled with a full tank of gas and a 500 lbs of people.

My truck has a GVWR of 11,200 lbs

Meaning that I have an available payload of 3600 lbs.

I think you need to scale your truck and find out where you really stand.

Thanks!


Then if one uses the total of the axels, 13500 less 7600 is around 6000 lbs of payload! if one really balances themselves out! Potentially, one has enough truck!

I would ask, which trans? the 5 sp torqueflight, go for it! the 4 sp auto.......oh dear oh me oh my! If it is rebuilt to some MUCH stronger specs you may do ok. But that is a much worst tranny to tow with vs the 5 sp torqueflights, or the manual option. First will be too tall for that total load on some grades, you will tear the trans apart, or overheat to death......... The rest of the truck will not have issues.

Marty
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
2014 Chevy 1500 Dual cab 4x4
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer

jerem0621
Explorer II
Explorer II
Just for comparison sake.

My 99 2wd V10 Gasser Crew Cab XL (no options but AC) weighs 7600 lbs scaled with a full tank of gas and a 500 lbs of people.

My truck has a GVWR of 11,200 lbs

Meaning that I have an available payload of 3600 lbs.

I think you need to scale your truck and find out where you really stand.

Thanks!
TV-2022 Silverado 2WD
TT - Zinger 270BH
WD Hitch- HaulMaster 1,000 lb Round Bar
Dual Friction bar sway control

It’s Kind of Fun to do the Impossible
~Walt Disney~

Lantley
Nomad
Nomad
352 wrote:
I must say if that don't pull anything you want than nobody else out there has anything better.


Huh There are more capable trucks than an 11 year old F350.
Nothing wrong with the 7.3 I have owned 2 of them but I would not consider that combo ideal. There are better options.
19'Duramax w/hips, 2022 Alliance Paradigm 390MP >BD3,r,22" Blackstone
r,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps, Enduraplas25,Pedego
BakFlip,RVLock,Prog.50A surge ,Hughes autoformer
Porta Bote 8.0 Nissan, Sailun S637

RoyJ
Explorer
Explorer
The Texan wrote:
Toy haulers start with a higher ratio for pin weight, to compensate for the heavy toys behind the wheels. Once loaded, the pin weight will be closer to normal.


Bingo. More often than not, the pin weight of a toy hauler actually drops with a fully loaded cargo bay.

Either way, the most important thing to look for is not going over the axle capacities. GVW itself is more arbitrary, which is the reason commercial DOT only look at the sum of GVAWs, and not some magical GVW.

I'd say for the OP, the truck is more than enough in terms of safety. You won't be passing people uphill at 70, but you shouldn't be to begin with!

The_Texan
Explorer
Explorer
Toy haulers start with a higher ratio for pin weight, to compensate for the heavy toys behind the wheels. Once loaded, the pin weight will be closer to normal.

Bob & Betsy - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever"


2005 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2017 Rzr 4-900 riding in 16+' enclosed trailer in back.
Where the wheels are stopped today

kaydeejay
Explorer
Explorer
kjmedwards wrote:
We are looking at a Heartland Road Warrior fifth wheel, toy hauler. It has a GVWR of 18,000 and a dry weight of 14,090. The hitch weight of the RV is 3,200.
If that is the dry pin weight you have a relatively high pin ratio of 22%.
That means if you loaded to GVWR, your pin weight would be 4100#. Seems to me that eats up the total truck payload. You need some leftover for people, the hitch and other stuff.
Even if you load lighter (say 16K#) and can get the payload within range, pulling even 16,000# with 250 HP and a truck rated for 12,800# is not my idea of a carefree drive!
There's a reason for the 12,800 tow rating - probably the transmission, so you would be pushing an 11 year old trans way beyond its design limits.
Did I say I suggest that is not a good idea!
Keith J.
Sold the fiver and looking for a DP, but not in any hurry right now.

352
Explorer
Explorer
I must say if that don't pull anything you want than nobody else out there has anything better.
The manatees of Halls river Homosassa Springs Fl

1985 Chevy Silverado c10. 454 stroker / 495 CI = 675 HP. 650lb of torque. Turb0 400 tranny. 3000 stall converter. Aluminum heads. 3 inch exhaust flowmasters. 2 inch headers. Heat and air. Tubed.

hammer21661
Explorer
Explorer
I had and pulled one about like that, mine was 40' road warrior with an 03 ram 3500 srw with 2 springs added to the pack. You do have a 7.3 though but I would think you'd be ok. Just my opinion I could be wrong. Big hills = 2nd gear unless you have a manual.
2018 Ram 3500 SRW crew cab long bed 4x4 diesel Lariamie 1-2018
2013 fuzion 322.8/25/2012
2000 Yellow Lab mix Dog, Earl,The One who gave me Unconditional Love picked up 9-12 or 13, 2001 till 2-7-2014 may he r.i.p.

mbutts
Explorer
Explorer
The Ford Towing Guide for 2002 shows 12,000 max for a fifth wheel for a Supercab 4x4 diesel. The Ford payload guide shows 4,440 payload (you have to subtract the weight of options to get the payload for your truck).

Probably worth making a trip to the scales and investing $10 in a weigh. GVWR - truck weight = payload
Mike Butts
DW+DD+DS+Poodles
2017 Forest River Forester 3011DS (first MH!)
Previously 1999 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up, 2007 Kodiak 23SS hybrid, 2013 Sunset Trail 29SS travel trailer

bmanning
Explorer
Explorer
rhagfo wrote:
kjmedwards wrote:
The GVWR for the truck is 11,500.


GVWR is only 85% of total axle rating, 13,550# total axle rating. Install an Exhaust Brake, with a lockup TC, and even though you might be a bit over the GVWR, it will likely do OK.
Just remember i didn't endorse your actions.


x2, right down to "it's ok, but don't tell anyone I said it's ok"

LOL

Exhaust brake is a MUST.
BManning
baking in Phoenix :C
-2007 Volvo XC90 AWD V8
4.4L 311/325 V8 6sp Aisin loaded
6100lb GVW 5000lb tow
-1999 Land Cruiser
4.7L 230/320 V8 4sp A343 loaded
6860 GVW 6500lb tow
RV'less at the moment

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
kjmedwards wrote:
The GVWR for the truck is 11,500.


GVWR is only 85% of total axle rating, 13,550# total axle rating. Install an Exhaust Brake, with a lockup TC, and even though you might be a bit over the GVWR, it will likely do OK.
Just remember i didn't endorse your actions.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

The_Texan
Explorer
Explorer
kjmedwards wrote:
The GVWR for the truck is 11,500.
Correct, the SRW F-350 was 9900, not the DRW model. Yes, you will be within the specs with that 5er and the truck will handle it very well.

Bob & Betsy - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever"


2005 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2017 Rzr 4-900 riding in 16+' enclosed trailer in back.
Where the wheels are stopped today

The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Explorer
You are already asking the wrong question.

Of course the vehicle can pull the trailer (fiver).

The question to ask is "Can this vehicle carry the pin weight of this fifth wheel???"

I don't know the specs for that particular vehicle, so will not make further comments.

But please keep in mind that of all things related fifth wheel wise, the "carry" factor for the vehicle being able to handle pin weight is by far the most important.

Pulling is not so much, but can become critical also. Your vehicle has a GCVWR, which is the max weight for truck and trailer added together. Usually though the carry factor will eliminate a too heavy fifth wheel.
The Mad Norsky, Doll, Logan and Rocky
2014 Ram 3500 w/ Cummins/Aisin
2019 Northern Lite 10-2 EX CD LE Wet Bath
RV'ing since 1991

I took the road less traveled .....Now I'm Lost!