1997 F-350 Dually: What can I reasonably tow?

tmsbandman · 07-07-2016, 12:09 PM

When I started looking at these trucks, I thought "I can tow ANYTHING with this." Since then, I've realized that the 99 trucks have a 1600 lb higher GVWR :-( Anyway-here's the deal:

Truck is CrewCab with an 8 ft bed.
-GVWR=10,000
-GAWR=4400 (f)/7400 (r)

CAT scale (3 passengers, full tank, 150-200# in the bed) was 4040/3560 (f/r)

So-There's no way I could come close to my 7400 rear GAWR without drastically exceeding the 10,000 GVWR. (I know, I know..I'm spending a lot of GVWR on the CC and LB).Looks like I've got about 2400 lbs max capacity to stay within GVWR. That being said-Even a 40 ft 5er is within that weight, right?

My wife and I have a bug for a 5er, but I don't want to buy more than my truck can handle.

tmsbandman · 07-07-2016, 12:16 PM

Of course-I have to factor in the weight of the hitch itself. How much do those weigh? Gotta be 250+ I would guess.

eldermike · 07-07-2016, 02:01 PM

I can lift my hitch out of the bed. I would say its 85lbs or something like that. I would not hesitate to hook my camper to your truck. My fifth wheel would add about 2,500lbs pin weight to your truck.

**norty1** · 07-07-2016, 02:41 PM

I had that same truck and pulled a 30' fifth wheel. Tongue weight was around 2600 lbs. I was not exceeding the trucks wt. carrying ability but I had problems with transmission overheating. After replacing/rebuilding the transmission several times we sold it for our current tow.

It was a beast towing. Other than the transmission, my only complaint was it was a rough ride without the rig behind it.

I might add, it was a 7.3 PSD.

tmsbandman · 07-07-2016, 02:51 PM

Thanks. We are looking at about a 35 footer, but the pin wait is more like 2200. That's dry, of course, but I wouldn't think it would change a whole lot with the trailer loaded.

tmsbandman · 07-07-2016, 08:55 PM

Oops....pin WEIGHT. My smartphone wasn't so smart in taking dictation.

Firefighter78 · 07-07-2016, 09:03 PM

I had a 1999 F350 dully with the 460 gas and 5 speed manual, mechanics body. . That truck would pull anything even a 14x70 mobile home like it wasn't even there.. I don't think you have anything to be concerned over pulling a fifth wheel except you may need to put an additional helper spring in and an additional tranny cooler. Those trucks are virtually bullet proof.

BigJohnD · 07-07-2016, 10:34 PM

Probably only limited by the transmission as Norty mentioned. Other than that, I wouldn't hesitate hooking onto way more than it's rated for. No doubt a bullet proof truck, especially with a "built" transmission. Man I miss the 7.3.

TWP723 · 07-08-2016, 06:08 AM

Automatics had a higher tow capacity. Manuals are a lot lower.
Automatic Crew cab 4x4's tow cap is 9600 lbs. w/3.55's - 12,700 lbs. w/4.10's
Manual Crew cab 4x4's tow cap is 7900 lbs. w/3.55's - 10,400 lbs. w/4.10's

**norty1** · 07-08-2016, 06:31 AM

My 5er was 500 to 600 lbs extra on the tongue when loaded.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tmsbandman · 07-08-2016, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWP723

Automatics had a higher tow capacity. Manuals are a lot lower.
Automatic Crew cab 4x4's tow cap is 9600 lbs. w/3.55's - 12,700 lbs. w/4.10's
Manual Crew cab 4x4's tow cap is 7900 lbs. w/3.55's - 10,400 lbs. w/4.10's

Wow. I would have thought the opposite. Manuals are so much simpler, I thought they would be stronger. I've got a MT and 4.10 diff.

On a related note. Is monitoring transmission temp a concern with MT, or is that just an AT thing?

TWP723 · 07-12-2016, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmsbandman

Wow. I would have thought the opposite. Manuals are so much simpler, I thought they would be stronger. I've got a MT and 4.10 diff.

On a related note. Is monitoring transmission temp a concern with MT, or is that just an AT thing?

I'd say automatic only.

**norty1** · 07-12-2016, 07:38 AM

Agree, mine was automatic and I had an after market gauge installed.

DanNJanice · 07-12-2016, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmsbandman

When I started looking at these trucks, I thought "I can tow ANYTHING with this." Since then, I've realized that the 99 trucks have a 1600 lb higher GVWR :-( Anyway-here's the deal:

Truck is CrewCab with an 8 ft bed.
-GVWR=10,000
-GAWR=4400 (f)/7400 (r)

CAT scale (3 passengers, full tank, 150-200# in the bed) was 4040/3560 (f/r)

So-There's no way I could come close to my 7400 rear GAWR without drastically exceeding the 10,000 GVWR. (I know, I know..I'm spending a lot of GVWR on the CC and LB).Looks like I've got about 2400 lbs max capacity to stay within GVWR. That being said-Even a 40 ft 5er is within that weight, right?

My wife and I have a bug for a 5er, but I don't want to buy more than my truck can handle.

I am a little surprised your capacity is that low (2400lbs) with an F350 dually. What does your door sticker say? A 40ft 5er could easily have a pin weight of 3000-3500lbs, well above you 2400lb rating.

tmsbandman · 07-12-2016, 10:03 PM

Ok. We're about to pull the trigger on a 5er that's posted hitch weight is 2060. My truck (97 F350 CrewCab long bed) weighs 7600 with four passengers/both fuel tanks full. GVWR is 10k. You think we're ok?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tmsbandman · 07-12-2016, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanNJanice

I am a little surprised your capacity is that low (2400lbs) with an F350 dually. What does your door sticker say? A 40ft 5er could easily have a pin weight of 3000-3500lbs, well above you 2400lb rating.

Oops. Sorry. Missed you post. Door sticker says 10000. I'm positive. It went up to 11,400 in 99, and 12,600 soon afterward. Had no idea when I bought it we'd be considering a 5er

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tmsbandman · 07-24-2016, 08:25 AM

For anyone following-

1) I mis spoke. The 98-03 have an 11,200 GVWR (not 11,400 or 11,600

2) in spite of the RV sales guy insisting my 97 CCLB can tow that 41 footer, I've bought a 2001 instead. That gives us enough weight for the whole fam to be in the truck.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You may also like: