Towing F150

46490 · 05-09-2016, 12:54 PM

Anyone experience any problem while towing an F 150 4x4 with a 6.7 ISB as far as pulling a steep grade and or any type of towing issues. I just want to make sure my coach will pull it without any issues.

Scottybdivin · 05-09-2016, 01:14 PM

The F150 tows nicely but it can go above 6K, depending on year and model. What is the tow rating for your 34B?

46490 · 05-09-2016, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottybdivin

The F150 tows nicely but it can go above 6K, depending on year and model. What is the tow rating for your 34B?

10K

46490 · 05-09-2016, 02:30 PM

I just wanted to know about mountainous roads out here in the western US.

FIRE UP · 05-09-2016, 05:45 PM

Sure it's going to strain a bit. Hills do that to engines. But, don't push it any more than you need to. Be aware of all your gauges. If things start to heat up some, back off some and grab a lower gear to make sure you're not lugging and or, not turning the fan enough to keep things as cool as possible. To tell you what RPM to drive is useless. You need to learn your rig and, all it's towing characteristics. If you haven't by now, you will shortly. Each coach will run just a bit different than the one next to it.

Even the newer all Aluminum F-150s out there still put a load on some diesels. So, take it easy and enjoy your trip. You only live once.
Scott

SuperGewl · 05-10-2016, 11:33 PM

As far as towing the F150 you may be out of your league. The F150 depending on how it's loaded out can weigh close to 5k. Now as far as your MH it cannot tow more than about 4k according to the SPEC even though it has a 10k hitch. It has a GCWR 33000lbs and a GCVR 29410lbs.
You may want to look for something lighter to tow.

skigramp · 05-11-2016, 12:16 PM

there are many factors to consider when towing:

the combined weight limit ... the actual loaded weight of your motorhome PLUS the actual weight of your toad must be less than this number
the load rating of your hitch
the load rating of your tow bar
your tolerance to gear down and slowly climb long uphill grades
your ability to slowly descend long downhill grades.

It is important that you understand that the most dangerous part of this is going DOWN ... your gears and brakes must be able to hold back this load ... you will need braking on your toad.

And if you ever have an accident, what will your answer be to the judge when she says "did you violate any towing laws?"

46490 · 05-12-2016, 07:26 AM

When I registered the MH, I paid extra to have the GVW raised to 38,000. Will this allow me to legally tow more weight? Am I required to go by the placards on MH without exception.

skigramp · 05-14-2016, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46490

When I registered the MH, I paid extra to have the GVW raised to 38,000. Will this allow me to legally tow more weight? Am I required to go by the placards on MH without exception.

I am not qualified to give legal advice ... you probably need to have that answered by either your DMV or your lawyer ... and I would get the answer in writing, dated, and signed

Ray,IN · 05-14-2016, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottybdivin

The F150 tows nicely but it can go above 6K, depending on year and model. What is the tow rating for your 34B?

Man, that's extremely heavy! My Chevrolet K3500, LB, CC, Duramax dually weighs 7,8xx# empty.

SuperGewl · 05-15-2016, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46490

When I registered the MH, I paid extra to have the GVW raised to 38,000. Will this allow me to legally tow more weight? Am I required to go by the placards on MH without exception.

I may not be a lawyer, however just because DMV let you give them more money to say something does not Certify the MH to tow more. I would think that the MFG, you know the ones who designed the darn thing would know what they tested it to and then put the safest GVWR on the MH that they would be liable for.
So just because you paid more than the average person to have someone Overate your MH does not mean it can actually do so legally.

But because I am not a lawyer and hopefully will never be involved in an accident with you, more power to you. Hopefully you will never have to prove in court your MH is rated at 38k by the MFG.

The reason the chassis is rated so low is because you have a 427" long MH sitting on a 208" chassis.
OK I'm DONE.
Good luck and hope you don't have any mishaps

Ray,IN · 05-15-2016, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46490

When I registered the MH, I paid extra to have the GVW raised to 38,000. Will this allow me to legally tow more weight? Am I required to go by the placards on MH without exception.

The weight limit for towing depends on two things, the tow vehicles GCWR and the weight limits of the hitch itself.
Your vehicles weight ratings on the placard that are the only thing a DOT officer has to guide them for enforcement unless you have paper to prove otherwise.

Scottybdivin · 05-15-2016, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Man, that's extremely heavy! My Chevrolet K3500, LB, CC, Duramax dually weighs 7,8xx# empty.

Yep. 5900 curb weight on the base model CC 4WD 157" wheelbase. 2015's w/ aluminum are supposed to be up to 700 lbs lighter.

46490 · 05-15-2016, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperGewl

I may not be a lawyer, however just because DMV let you give them more money to say something does not Certify the MH to tow more. I would think that the MFG, you know the ones who designed the darn thing would know what they tested it to and then put the safest GVWR on the MH that they would be liable for.
So just because you paid more than the average person to have someone Overate your MH does not mean it can actually do so legally.

But because I am not a lawyer and hopefully will never be involved in an accident with you, more power to you. Hopefully you will never have to prove in court your MH is rated at 38k by the MFG.

The reason the chassis is rated so low is because you have a 427" long MH sitting on a 208" chassis.
OK I'm DONE.
Good luck and hope you don't have any mishaps

After some additional research - the limiting factor is based on the 2500 series transmission. If we had a 3000 series we could tow more per the Allison tech I talked to. The freight liner techs said the chassis is more than strong enough to handle the extra weight, but agreed that the transmission was the limiting factor. So to be on the safe side a smaller toad is in the future.

SuperGewl · 05-15-2016, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46490

After some additional research - the limiting factor is based on the 2500 series transmission. If we had a 3000 series we could tow more per the Allison tech I talked to. The freight liner techs said the chassis is more than strong enough to handle the extra weight, but agreed that the transmission was the limiting factor. So to be on the safe side a smaller toad is in the future.

You could always opt for an install of a Alison 3000 transmission if it will fit

But yes your hitch is rated at 10k but the tranny is the weak(cheap) link. They saved money by going this way.
If you still want a truck to tow check into the GMC/Chevy Canyon/Colorado twins, they be within your weight class.