Towing with a 2009 Ford F350 6.8 V10 4.10 Supercap LB

[hkury00]

2009 Ford F350 6.8 V10 4.10 Supercap LB, 4WD, SRW

We have been pulling an Arctic Fox 24-5N (probably 10k lbs) with the above truck for 1 1/2 years fulltiming. We love the truck. It only has 50k miles and we would like to keep it. The Arctic Fox is great but small. If we upgrade the fifth-wheel and stay with AF (27-5 or 29-5) or another quality brand the weight will become an issue. If I looked it up correctly the max. I can tow is 14,400 lbs.

Is it wise to pull 14k with this truck? Will it affect the longevity of the truck? I would feel ok to pull 80-85% of the maximum k(~12) but that's just me?

Thanks in advance for your opinion.

Hannes

[dodge_guy]

I do agree with the above. tow with it as is. if it performs good then you will be set. If you feel you need more, then you could regear.

[transferred]

I haven't read any of the other responses, just the OP.

I'm a huge diesel advocate and even I think you have enough truck to tow 14k. 4.10 gears will work very well and the Triton V10 is one of the rare gassers that will hold up to towing big weight. Sure, you spin a little high and chew through some gas but it'll get the job done. In fact, you'll likely be delighted with the combo. Your F350 4x4 LB SRW is a whole lot of pickup.

I wouldn't modify anything or see the need to do so. But check your brakes are well maintained and that your tires are E-rated and to the proper pressure and tread depth.

[STEVEO496]

It wouldn't scare me to pull a 15K # 5th wheel with your truck. When it comes to tow ratings it's all based on the total package. Tire ratings, axle ratios, spring rates etc. The biggest hinderance of a SRW truck is usually the load capacity of the two rear tires. The fact that your truck is powered by a gasoline engine has nothing to do with it. I have owned three diesel pick-ups in the past and I do believe they tow heavy loads better than naturally aspirated gas engines but it's just a question of how much money you want to spend really. The hot ticket for any towing rig would be deeper axle gears and a gear vendors over/under drive unit IMO. Not the cheapest solution but I think it would make these older gas trucks with only 4/5 speed transmissions drive and tow much nicer.

[hkury00]

Thank you all much for your input. Every single response adds value to the discussion and to my understanding of the issues.

Hannes

[dodge_guy]

Ok guys, once again. Downshifting a trans does not change the gear ratios in the trans. The final drive effectively changes each gear ratio by physics. Each gear is more usable with a heavier load and a lower gear ratio. And tow haul does not change the stall speed of the torque converter. That is a fixed speed buoy into different converters. Tow haul will hold each gear longer and hold it in a lower gear on a down grade. But again lower gears will only help all the above when towing a larger (heavier) trailer.

[Ivylog]

OP, use your TowHaul mode as it will downshift the tranny out of OD when pulling hard. With a torque converter you don't need 4.56 gears to get moving. Using TH will let the engine rev more before upshifting and is good for increased engine braking going downhill.

[blofgren]

I think you should upgrade your trailer to the larger model you want and be happy. Your truck will handle the trailer just fine and you can then decide if you wish to change gears. Personally I would stick with the 4.10's to have a better solo driving truck and I doubt the difference in towing performance will be worth the expense.

[MFL]

OK, I see the OP does have 4x4, but I agree he should wait to see what size trailer he actually gets, before making the gear swap. I do think even with the cost of 4x4 swap, he will have a great TV with 4.56 gearing. I believe in 09, Ford still had the 5-speed auto, and worse yet, no means to lock out overdrive.

Jerry

[n7bsn]

We did this exact thing in 2011.
Went from our 24-5N to a 29-5E
Due to the increased height and weight with rig the we lost about 2mpg. But that was about it, no other issues.

We do miss the 24-5N, it was a great rig for about 10 years. But not being able to stand up in the bedroom finally did it in.

[MO_Trout_Bum]

dodge guy wrote:
The V-10 with the right gearing tows just as well as a similar year diesel. If you like the truck then swap the gears to 4.56 and it will pull hat 14k lbs effortlessly and in O/D. And yes he V-10 will last a long time towing that weight!

I tow 9k lbs with V-10 X with 4.30 gears. I swapped from 3.73 to 4.30 and it was night and day difference. Looking back I kind of wish I would've went to 4.56's. But for my weight 4.30's are perfect. There are many people on here that went to 4.56's and are glad they did.

X2. And if it were me, I would plan for the 4.56 conversion (each axle of course), however would try the 4.10's first. It might surprise you if you are running a 6 speed transmission.

[dodge_guy]

Ivylog wrote:
You do NOT need to change from your 4.10, especially with a 4X4. In hilly terrain I would lock it out of OD and use the tow/haul making your 4.10 into a 4.56. In the days of three speed trannies axle ratios were very important but not with a five speed/OD tranny. I agree a 3.73 behind a gas engine is too tall a gear for towing, but not if you had a diesel.

It doesn't work that way. changing gears effectively changes the ratio of each gear in the trans making each much more efficient and useable, that`s why trucks with a lower gear ratio have a higher tow capacity. you can`t simply just "drop a gear" or "lock out O/D". Unless you have done a gear swap you can`t say that is how it will work.

[Ivylog]

You do NOT need to change from your 4.10, especially with a 4X4. In hilly terrain I would lock it out of OD and use the tow/haul making your 4.10 into a 4.56. In the days of three speed trannies axle ratios were very important but not with a five speed/OD tranny. I agree a 3.73 behind a gas engine is too tall a gear for towing, but not if you had a diesel.

[MFL]

I think your truck would handle near 14K, if you changed gearing to 4.56. If you are 2WD, it would be an easy, inexpensive upgrade.

Jerry

[dodge_guy]

The V-10 with the right gearing tows just as well as a similar year diesel. If you like the truck then swap the gears to 4.56 and it will pull hat 14k lbs effortlessly and in O/D. And yes he V-10 will last a long time towing that weight!

I tow 9k lbs with V-10 X with 4.30 gears. I swapped from 3.73 to 4.30 and it was night and day difference. Looking back I kind of wish I would've went to 4.56's. But for my weight 4.30's are perfect. There are many people on here that went to 4.56's and are glad they did.