Towing with F250

High boy,eh..That's what I said..New slang I guess.

If the opps F-250 is an automatic it is probably the C-6 3 speed transmission,the same I had.one has to use it like a manual transmission sometimes with heavy loads going up steep grades or down.I used the column shifter alot pulling trailers and fifth wheels.

The good news for them is,there cheap to rebuild.

MitchF150 wrote:
Westend, back then, "Ranger" was a trim package for the F250. Not the small pickup truck that they named "Ranger" later on.

Mitch

Thanks for the clarification, Mitch. I don't know how the OP could mistake even a 351 for a V6 but, to be fair, there's a lot of room in those older truck engine bays, maybe his V8 just looks small.:)

Jayco, a Highboy, eh? Yes the 4x4 rode high on even stock tires. I had the 390/4 barrel that was mentioned above, driven through a 4 speed manual.

At one point I was in cahoots with a couple of tree trimmers and did a bit of their dump work. I had 5' sideboards and could load trunk pieces full to the top with a Samson line cradled underneath the load. When I was at the tree dump, I'd tie the line onto a big trunk or a couple of stumps, lock in 4x4 Low, pull forward, and let the rope pull the load out. One day it didn't feel right so I got out of the truck and saw the back half of the load was on the ground and I'd pulled a big trunk and a couple of stumps out of the dump pile. That truck was a haulin' machine.

The OP should have no problem pulling the trailer with his '74. Like others have said, as long as the springs are still good, use a WDH to get the correct trim level.

FWIW, I owned a 76 F250 4x4 and it could tow a trailer sideways, lol.

My son tells me those are now called Highboys and are in demand.Wow,They were to high for my taste..Was a passenger in a tip over back then in one.To high off the ground for woods work or packing a camper but they looked cool.

Westend, back then, "Ranger" was a trim package for the F250. Not the small pickup truck that they named "Ranger" later on.

Mitch

Mr.Gerrard wrote:
Thank you all for your reply. I have some digging to do on the old 74 F250. Once I get some payload, towing numbers, GVWR, I can go from there. I did buy a trailer tongue scale so I can also accurately measure the loaded trailer.

Btw, I believe I have the smaller V6 engine, its a F250 ranger 1974 and she runs like a dream.

Thanks again!

Do you have a Ranger or a 3/4 ton truck?

FWIW, I owned a 76 F250 4x4 and it could tow a trailer sideways, lol.

I just sold a 1976 Ford F-250-7200 GVWR with Helwig(adjustable) springs and 10 ply tires..Pulled a 35 ft fifth wheel with it and a 34 ft Terry plus my current 30 Ft Springdale..Fresh rebuilt 390 with new transmission with a larger radiator and tranny cooler.Worked just fine if you used the gears for the hills.

Used it with my Lance camper also..It was a good truck but it was time to update so I sold it with tears!



Yes,your F-250 will pull that trailer if you do the basics of what is now called the tow package and a WD hitch.

Mr.Gerrard wrote:
Thank you all for your reply. I have some digging to do on the old 74 F250. Once I get some payload, towing numbers, GVWR, I can go from there. I did buy a trailer tongue scale so I can also accurately measure the loaded trailer.

Btw, I believe I have the smaller V6 engine, its a F250 ranger 1974 and she runs like a dream.

Thanks again!

That would be an "inline" 6, didn't have V6 back then.. You have either the 240CID or the 300 CID.. The 300CID was real torquie, didn't go fast but got the job done..

Not a fan of Wiki but they do have an interesting section on the 70s Ford trucks..

HERE

On edit..

I wanted to add that there is a real nice thread in the towing section that you may find very helpful.

You can view it at THIS CLICKY LINK.. (you might notice that the link takes you to "Woodalls" not RV.net.. they are one in the same just a different "portal" or way to get in the forum)

If you have to , go to a commercial spring shop and have them re work the rear leaf springs . Makes a world of difference . Still get a wd hitch also

Thank you all for your reply. I have some digging to do on the old 74 F250. Once I get some payload, towing numbers, GVWR, I can go from there. I did buy a trailer tongue scale so I can also accurately measure the loaded trailer.

Btw, I believe I have the smaller V6 engine, its a F250 ranger 1974 and she runs like a dream.

Thanks again!

Read this thread about weight distribution hitches.

I'm surprised, anybody selling a trailer like that, would not tell the buyer that they needed a WD hitch.

Without a WD hitch, you're not only sagging in the rear and pointing your headlights in the trees, you are also taking a bunch of weight off your front axle. That will cause handling problems, which in turn can induce trailer swaying.

The primary function of a weight distributing hitch, is to restore some (in some cases all) of that weight to your front axle. While doing that, it also helps to level the combination truck and trailer.