Community Forums

tuffr2 · 10-23-2019, 04:38 AM

Frontal area affects all trucks if it is mentioned or not. But how do you measure frontal area? The front cap of the trailer can be curved so how do you count frontal area? Maybe you just measure to where the front cap starts to curve.

I am looking for a newer trailer and will not buy a trailer without an areodynamic looking front.

laj · 10-23-2019, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhagfo

Does the frontal area apply to the 7.3 Diesel? I had no mention of frontal area for our 2001 Ram 2500 CTD. The 10,000# sounds a bit high for the 3.55's but should pull it fine.

yes, those #’s were 7.3 specific.

remember the trailers back then were not aerodynamic as they are now. they were pretty much straight across if i remember right. thats been 22 yrs ago.

NevadaNick · 10-23-2019, 06:05 AM

I towed my 35ft King of the Road fifth wheel and a utilty trlr behind it with a 97 crewcab 4wd F250 dsl and also a gooseneck that a few times scaled at 33k lbs. i would have no issue pulling a modern midsize fifthwheel with it.

wandering1 · 10-23-2019, 06:10 AM

Read fords towing spec.

jallen462 · 10-23-2019, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laj

just need cab configuration then i can give it to you. there is a difference

My trk is a crew cab. I had a k&n air filter installed. 4 inch exhaust. 3 inch at outlet. Edge towing tune . Air bags. EGT gauge.

tuffr2 · 10-23-2019, 09:06 AM

NevadaNick is kinda a crazy dude. Reminds me of 'Danger Industries' on YouTube who is a crazy Hot Shot driver. If you ever buy a used truck make sure it was not owned buy this Hot Shot. Danger Industries tows 40,000lbs often up a big hill. If you want to hear a truck ready to break that is a YouTube channel to watch.

laj · 10-23-2019, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jallen462

My trk is a crew cab. I had a k&n air filter installed. 4 inch exhaust. 3 inch at outlet. Edge towing tune . Air bags. EGT gauge.

with your cc gcwr is 16k, your max trailer weight is 10,100.
trailer frontal area is 60 for all cab conf.

37driver · 10-24-2019, 09:15 PM

Another thing to consider is the E40D transmission in your truck. Heat and heavy towing will kill it in short order. It's basically just the old C6 that Ford modified. It has a crappy torque converter which will fail under continually heavy loads and heat. Install a transmission temp gauge in the pan and add an ass load of a cooler or coolers and keep it serviced. I had 3 coolers on my 97
F-350 to keep it below 205 when pulling a 14000 lb travel trailer. I finally just upgraded to a 6.7.

laj · 10-24-2019, 11:00 PM

that can be fixed but it will take money.

NevadaNick · 10-25-2019, 06:59 AM

My 97 F250 with E4od towed many a heavy load and the transmission was still original and intact when an employee rolled the truck with 220,000 mi on it. Regular maintenance is key.

laj · 10-25-2019, 07:08 AM

you were lucky, i bought a new 97 ps. the trans exploded at 37k, 5k after i just had a complete service on it, not only gutting the inside, but busting the case as well. that was the third new p/u i had with the e40d in it. all bought new, and the only one that gave any trouble. had a 95,and 96 prior. both ran over 150k. both had complete trans. ser. every 36k. sold it and bought my 97 5spd. still running now.