New 5'er wants to know if F250 will pull a 30' safely and efficiently.

[Dianeb]

Will a '90 F250 efficiently pull a 30' 5th wheel. It has l33,000 miles or possibly 233,000 miles.

Will our'90 F250 pull a 30' 5th wheel safely and efficiently? It has 133,000 miles or possibly 233,000.

[450Donn]

What motor? What axle ratio? What is the fivers GVWR?
All questions you need to answer before anyone can effectively answer.

[SarahW]

Howdy Diane and welcome. Do you know how much the 5er weighs?

[1ciderdog]

You really need to know the weight & tongue weight of the 5th wheel. Will it pull, probably, but will it be overloaded should be the question. I own a 1989 F-250 and it is very strong with the 460 engine and manual 5 speed transmission and I think it would pull any 5th wheel you can put on it but that doesn't mean it would be safe.
Safe Travels
Bob

[blackf3504dr]

Pulling is only half the equation, stopping is the other half. Even if the F250 would/could pull it I think the ability to safely stop would be more important.

[Cat320]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackf3504dr Pulling is only half the equation, stopping is the other half. Even if the F250 would/could pull it I think the ability to safely stop would be more important.

The other part to the equation is pin weight...can an older F250 handle the PW.

[doc]

"Efficiently" may be a subjective point in your question.

[IC2]

I'll jump in here with my .02.

Yes it will, but there are several caveats. The first being what is the GVWR for that truck? For that vintage, there were several, including at least one that went into the lower F350 range.

Then, to tie that in, a 460/7.5L or the 7.3 diesel with either a C6 or an E4OD transmission is almost mandatory as the 351W engine just can't do it nor can the 302 or the 300/6 cyl.

With that engine, you will need at least a 3.73 ratio, 4.10 is better.

Then the cooling system and transmission cooler - condition and capacity need to be in good condition.

To answer the naysayers, yes, I pulled a 30" 5er with a 460/C6 F250/3.50, and it was 'in spec'. And yes, it wasn't the best combo so I then went to an F350/460/C6/3.73 - and was much happier with more truck

[Jymen]

I would go the mechanic that services the truck and ask him his professional opinion.

James

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jymen I would go the mechanic that services the truck and ask him his professional opinion. James

He may know the mechanical condition of the truck (and that's certainly important), but chances are he has no idea how to use GCWR, GVWR and actual laden curb weights of the truck to calculate towing capacity. His "advice" may be no better than that obtained from an RV or truck salesman!

Rusty