I am leaving on a ten week holiday in two days.I have prepared for this for a year.The truck is a 2008 Ford Lariet Crew Cab long box dually f450,24k hijacker hitch,pulling a 2008 forest river ,triple slide ,two bedroom ,two bathroom .38 ft fifth .I have done a few trial trips with no issues.The whole rig combination weighs in at 24k and combined sits just over 57 ft long with a dual purpose dirt bike on the back of the fifth and a full three rack mountain bike rack on the front of the truck.Now for those of you that have done this,is there an issue with the 2008 f450 and air flow over the front rads with just mountain bikes up there,I wonder when the air temp is 80F to 100F what will happen.Also any idea on fuel usage I plan on doing 10,000 kilometers.All across Canada and the USA up into Washington and then home.Roads I should not take or best route to travel.Much appreciated and if I didn't ask I would never know till its too late.
2008 F450 LARIET LONG BOX DUALLY
2008 SIERRA 316BHT
WIFE TWO YOUTHS
3 CATS NOW WHEW?
180 CAMPION ALLANTE
20 FT TOY HAULER
RVER's for life
Mr Serious,
I did a trip like yours when I got back from Iraq. I have a 450 like yours and a 38' four slide silver back 5er. We brought our generator so we could boondock some nights at wal mart. I always topped off the fresh water when I could.
I averaged 8.2 MPG over the 2900 towing miles. The most I paid for diesel was in your country. We drove through Ontario and came back in the US at the falls. It was a great trip and well worth every penny spent!
I have front reciever on my truck for the bikes but have not used it yet. I doubt highly you will have any issues with airflow. I wouldn't even worry about it to be honest. The fords seem to handle the heat with zeroe issues. I have only heard my fan kick in a few times.
I sure hope you guys have a trip that will create the priceless memories that we have. Take care and be safe.
Mike
My 450 with 4.30 rear has averaged 8.7 ( high 9.0/low 8.2) over 8700 miles cruising at 2000rpm. When you get in the mountains with temps at 90 or above don't get excited when the fan kicks in -- it's somewhat noisy.
We have a lot of ranch land here as well as farm. A lot of these guys buy big heavy grill guards for the front, Keeps a bull from getting into the radiator. Any way they cover the grill a lot worse then the bicycles would. I wouldn't worry about it.
I have my 3500 DRW Chevy with a Ranchhand replacement bumper on it, which blocks a lot more than a few bikes would. I scaled at 23,200 GCW the other day with my 39' 5er. The few times I have towed it have been nothing but good tests for my truck as one trip was mostly uphill towards Oklahoma into a good headwind in about 85-90 degree weather. The fan on my Chevy only kicked in a few times. I'm sure your Ford will be fine, might get a little warm on some mountain passes and whatnot but I doubt you'll have any issues, you're well within the truck's ratings.
'06 Chevy CC/LB 4x4 3500 DRW Dmax/Alli a few go fast mods
'08 Pilgrim Legends 37QB4S-H5 full-timing ready!
JT Strongarms, 5th Airborne, few custom touches
Me (DH), DW, darling little boy and sweet little girl.
Thanks so much for all the info,went from a camper to a trailer and now a fifth,seems the fifth is the way to go for our family.I think the rig should work well and await the trials of crossing over the rocky mountains tomorrow.Wouldn't you know it that here in BC you have to get a code 51 endorsement for pulling an rv of any type over 4600 kg(10,120 pounds)It's like a class three truck liscense.Just got mine the other day.
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