sjturbo
tucson, Az. USA
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Joined: 06/09/2004
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Wife and I are considering moving up to a 5th wheel from our bumper pull. I have a 01' F250 3/4 ton,(only 82k miles,7.3, extended cab with a short bed). If your pulling a 5th with yours let me know what model and your opinion, pro and con on your choice. Can't really afford to buy a new truck so I realize the shortbed may be a limiting factor but life is like that. Anyway, your inputs will be appreciated!!
Regards!
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twins89
Western New York
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Joined: 07/10/2005
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We towed our 07 Jayco 291 about 11 thousand pounds loaded with no difficulty. We had a slider hitch and did use it to maneuver many times. The 7.3 is a dependable workhorse. Just upgraded to a crew cab long bed only because we knew the truck (a friend) and with the long bed we could have a bit more room. if you stick to one under that you should have no problems.
Parents who still don't know anything
Twin college graduates who know everything
One lazy Westie
2000 F350 DRW 7.3 PSD crew cab
2007 Jayco Eagle 291 RLTS
2003 Coleman Sedona towed by 99 4Runner for the "graduates"
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maniac007
South Carolina
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Joined: 03/12/2009
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I use to pull my 06 Cougar 314EFS,gross trailer weight 11,685 with a 99 F250SD 7.3 EXT cab 4X4 LB and the only problem I had was there wasn't enough room in the back seat for leg room. I gave it to my oldest girl and got me the truck in my sig to go camping. The 7.3 is a great work horse. My 99 as 183,XXX miles and the 02 has 292,XXX miles on the clock. I don't push the engines when pulling, run about 60-65 mph. With a short bed, look at putting a slider hitch in the bed. I have a Pullrite 18K auto in the 99 only because it was already paid for and couldn't see losing money to purchase another hitch.
* This post was
edited 06/14/12 07:04am by maniac007 *
02 F350SD 7.3 CC DRW, 06 Cougar 314EFS
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houstonstroker
Houston, TX
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Joined: 07/16/2003
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I have an 02 crew cab shortbed and tow a 33 foot KZ 5th wheel with a GVW of 8800 lbs. I do have a slider but so far have not needed it. From what I know and have read, the weak link is the transmissions on these trucks. Mine was rebuilt at 95000 miles and I have 166,000 on the clock.
TV 2002 Ford F-250 Powerstroke 4WD Crew Cab
5th Wheel 2009 KZ Spree 305BH
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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I have a 99 and a 2002 F250 4x4 PSD SRW trucks with tool boxes in the long bed making the clearance the same as a short bed. Both trucks have the "camper package" giving them F350 rear springs (a extra helper spring) and sway bars on both axles. You could add these to your truck fairly easily if you do not have this option. Both hitch's are mounted behind the rear axle (yes I know this will not work) and I often gross over 25K lbs. I pulled a 34' 5er with two slides and on flat ground would pull in OD with 3.73 axles. Agree the auto tranny is the weak link (it can be upgraded) but I have the 6spd manual. Put some money in what you have as unfortunately you'll have to go a lot newer to find a better truck.
You can trick your turbo into being a sursprisingly good exhaust brake. This guy used to sell this add on . which would lock up your torque converter
* This post was
edited 06/14/12 06:09am by Ivylog *
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
04 Monaco Dynasty 42' quad slide
Where am I?
How I tow.
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maniac007
South Carolina
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You didn't say if yours is auto or stick stick shift. If auto, the weakest link as others said is the tranny. It has a diode in it and when is goes, it will play havoc on it. There are fixes for it and any GOOD tranny shop will know what to do. Good luck on what you decide to get.
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sue.t
Ibex Valley, YUKON
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Joined: 08/05/2004
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We have the 2002 7.3L PSD shortbox supercab and pull a 25' fifth wheel. Have a manual slider hitch but haven't used it all that much.
In this picture, the Hijacker hitch was set back one notch for the trials motorcycle tucked in behind the cab (covered with a tarp with an orange tie-down). With the bike in the back the truck squats a bit but easily handled the load.
We drove from Vancouver Island, B.C. to Alaska and back to the Island without any issues.
sue t.
Pictures from our many RV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska
Travelling with either the 25' fifth wheel or the 8' truck camper.
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Cool Canuck
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Joined: 08/18/2003
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I pulled my 32ft Jayco and this 37ft Everest with my '01 F250 PSD. Never left me on the side of the road in the 7 yrs. Not so much as a flat tire. It also was a short bed, extended cab with a slider hitch.
04 Everest 343L
2011 F250 PSD CC
SOLD - 01 F250 PSD S/C S/B
SOLD - 00 Jayco 313
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N6761U
Eureka, CA
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I pull with a 99 F250PSD LB 6sp manual with SuperChip set at 110 Hp setting with gauges. Have a 34 ft Big Country weighing a little over 12k, EGT never goes over 11k degrees. Halfway into trip from NorthCoast of CA through WY to Great Fall MT with no problems. Averaging 9.5 to 11 mpg and put on a US Gear exhaust brake so hardly use service brakes descending hills.
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kampinguru
Ontario
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Joined: 10/13/2006
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I pull a 32' Cedar Creek 12,383 GVWR with my 2000 F250 short box. I have a pullrite hitch which takes care of the shortbox problem.
I have done some modifications to the truck to enable me to do this better. I have upgraded the springs in the front to the 6000lb springs, added Firestone Ride-Rite airbags in the rear. Moved up to Michelin tires with 3460lb load carrying capacity each, added a DP Tuner Chip, ATS turbo housing to prevent surge, 4" exhaust and an AFE intake.
With this truck and trailer fully loaded for a two week camping trip, I am at the rear axle carrying capacity, under for the front axle carrying capacity, over by 400lbs on the total truck GVWR, and under by 1000lb on the GCVWR.
I am sure the weight police will jump all over this, but I have towed my trailer with my friends 2001 Ford F250 without all the mods I have made and it was scary. Mine is quite stable and handles the weight very well.
2000 F-250 S/B 4X4
2005 Cedar Creek 30RLBS
Pullrite Superglide 16K
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