Te older trucks had poor braking systems, troublesome automatic transmissions, and were low on power. I wouldn't even consider pulling that trailer without a dually. It's just too much weight. I would also not pull it with the older trucks. My 82 really strained the one time I pulled about 12k lbs, and I finally got rid of it because it couldn't handle it. My 1994 is nice, but the 2006 is incredible. I have lots of power and it handles wonderfully. I think the newer fords handle about as well. If I were going full time, there's no question in my mind that I'd want to be in my newer truck.
Just test drive one, you'll see what I mean.
Thanks for the info mgraveman. Here are some reasons I don't want to let go of Oscar now. I'll preface this with.... In mid 90's with about 45K miles on truck (only <74K now) I pulled a 30 ft people trailer from TX to KY, trailer surely overloaded with my stuff (for 2 months stay) and dog stuff, truck bed with large generator and fuel tank for generator and other supplies, passenger seat removed, myself @130 lbs, 2 dogs @ 180 lbs each, and 1 dog @ 160 lbs in cab. I drove mostly 65-70 mph and got way over 15 mpg. I had no issue with power but didn't expect to be able to accelerate on steep grades. I had installed braking assist for the trailer. On return trip, middle of very hot summer, I did "cook" the un-extra-cooled transmission.
This 7.3 L engine is the Navistar. You would not believe how many guys bug me to buy my truck on the spot or even trade what they are driving. When they find out how few miles it has they start begging.
I'm just so anxious to get out from under the expenses and responsibilities of our house and property. The less money I spend on the TV now the more I can spend on the 5th wheel and sooner. I can't expect that we would need anything larger than 30 ft. Quality is important. Surely there are some that Oscar can pull with ease. We can upgrade TV later with all the money we will save after we unload the "farm".
And then there are those who will argue about dually....... I'm out of that one as I've never owned one.
BTW...... The first 45K miles on Oscar were rushing around TX, AR, OK, to dog shows, pulling a very old, very heavy, wood, one cow/horse trailer, loaded with a couple of tons of dog crates/supplies {I carried crates/supplies in addition to mine, for Mastiff friends for setup at show sites and motels}, truck loaded with at least 3/4 ton dogs and crates {usually 5 Mastiffs ranging from 160-200 lbs each}, driving no less than 70 mph on highways..... always averaged at or above 20 mpg...... I get, now, about 19 mpg around town, with or without a load.
Last edited by geekgranny : 08-27-2008 at 02:16 PM.
before airbags get overloads or bigger springs a cut bag will strand you and springs are easier to maintain when over the road an air bag must be inflated and deflated according to load
also id recomend a tranny cooler no matter what
carry wheel chocks for the truck and trailer youll be able to stay in place with a hughe load and a blown tranny if needed the e brake may not hold the trailer
if you want a toy hauler look into custom built they make car haulers on a gn platform and a 22ft camper or any other combo you want
the custom market is amazing now so its the time to get one made
also theres a tranny place all the heavy pullers here go to get a rebuild
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88 F-250 body,550 rear frame setup, 7.3 idi, 3:73 dana 80 rear, srw, dana 50 front, heavy duty leaf springs, back up camera, 20$ wallyworld fog lamps, class 5 bumper hitch welded to frame and gusseted, 32" steering tires all around, ac power converter,jeep bucket seats, deezee runningboards (cab only),cobra 29 cb w/ 102" whip, 2 trucklight worklights on front stake pocket each side,high lift jack behind seat, toolbox for the junk, visor, running lights, 6600 lbs with all my junk
You guys nailed the Oscar thing, so I won't throw my 2 cents that way.
I haul a 5er and I shopped for almost 2 years before setteling on the one I have today. I am not saying that you have to shop that long, just saying I know RV 5th wheels.
This could also apply if you decide to look at Class A's.
Bring a coat hanger from home and make sure it fits the closet of the 5er.
Check to see if the fridge is big enough..some makes have a option for larger units.
Does it have a washer/dryer hookup? Do you need this?
What is the R value in the floor, walls and ceiling, bigger the value the better, are the tanks heated?
Day/Night shades...very handy!
I could go on, but I think you get my point. Check this and check that. Don't be afraid to ask questions and if you want to talk to more RV people, check out RV.Net.com.
great place to ask questions.
Hope this helps.
With Rickson powder coated steel wheels and Michelin XZE size 245/70R19.5H tires, you would have 4940 lbs capacity in each tire. At least your tires wouldn't be the limiting factor in how big of a trailer you could handle.
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2001 F350 XLT 4X4, shift on the fly, 38 gal fuel tank, running boards, sliding rear window, black, crew cab, long bed, 4.10, automatic transmission, 11,500 gvwr, 20,000 gcwr, 7500 gvw, dual rear wheels, 7.3l turbo diesel, completely stock, 114,00 miles when purchased, now has 125,000 miles, repairs so far: starter, batteries, cps.
2005 Nomad Rampage toyhauler made by Skyline. 11,500lb gvwr.
Thanks for all the replies guys. BTW.... Early on comments convinced me that Toy Hauler was out of question mainly because of weight issues and length. Boy I surely would love to have the garage for me but I can live without that and do my fun "work" outside and office type work in the bedroom.
Tranny cooler for sure.... I know that one from experience. Just gave some wheel chocks away cleaning out garage. BTW... not totally a novice as rest of family does a lot of RVing. Sister has an AirStream.
Recently joined RV.net. .... missed the RV show in Ft Worth this past weekend... I had a 32 ft 5th wheel in 80's; didn't pull it but lived in it a couple of months.... for sure will have to have great kitchen for DH and for sure washer hookups and hanger size tip great, etc.....
Main concern here of course is making sure I can get Oscar spruced up to the task. He has anti-lock brakes. He was the third truck that I purchased (first truck was an old Chevy, older than me 194?, given to me when I was 13 to haul hay/straw, and occasional horse), '74 Ford Courier, that I gave to my father who kept it going through the millenium, '82 Chevy Blazer 4WD Diesel that ate up fuel pumps, '90 "Oscar" Golden Child. Anyway... Oscar was the first truck I had driven at the time, early 90's, that didn't go into a sideways slide when brakes were slammed on with empty bed. Since then I'm sure lots of truck come standard with anti-lock brakes. I don't guess I mentioned lately how much I love this truck???
If you add a turbo, then Oscar will make it up the hills faster. If you decide not to add a turbo, he will still make it up the hills, just more slowly.
if you want to keep oscar,#1 find a large traileryou could borrow and load with weight,see if you are willing to live with a particular level of performance #2 i would suggest talking to a suspension shop and buy the heaviest sway bars you can get for both front and rear. not sure if front sway was on 90 model or not but for sure not the rear. definately having bigger ones and on both ends will leave you feeling more in control regardless of what trailer you end up with. #3 as too not being powerful enough hp is defined as how fast a certain amount of work can be done. if your willing to put up with slower uphill speeds its amazing how much that old 7.3 will pull, besides you're retiring so why be in a hurry,especially if slow saves you big fuel money. as far as having enough brakes, the truck has always had enough to take care of itself, and so will the trailer.working together the truck and trailer brakes will adequately stop the unit. for those who think the truck should be able to stop the trailer without help, get real. sure it will stop both but no matter how big and new your truck brakes are it will always stop faster and straighter if the trailer brakes are doing their job.brake failure can almost always be defined as LACK OF MAINTENANCE. unless you know for certain assume your trailer brakes need to be manually adjusted on a frequent regular basis, check plug everytime before you start moving and most of your trailer brake failures will be eliminated . oh also pull test those trailer brakes every morning. if you don't personally test assume it doesn't work then you'll never be surprised
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