Help with Truck to Fiver Tow Ratings

[ronenz]

First off, my thanks to those who respond to my request for assistance. I bought my fiver listed below first so that I could ensure that I bought enough truck to tow it. I am looking at a 2006 Ford F350 Dually and the label on the door showing the weights is confusing me greatly. The GVWR is showing 13000LB the Front GAWR is showing 6000LB and the Rear GAWR is showing 9000 LB. My research for this model year VIN 1FTWW33P97EA15967 Vehicle Max Gross Weight 12600.0 lbs. Max Towing Capacity 13100.0 lbs. My fiver is a 3711FL is showing 13200LB shipping weight with a Carrying Capacity of 3590LB. so 16,970LB is my max trailer weight. My Hitch weight is 2790. So my questions are how do I determine the actual wet weight of this vehicle at this point of the process as I do not have the ability to weight it? Based on the information provided is there enough data here to determine if this vehicle can tow my trailer? If so please explain. Also other than Brand loyalty, any comments about the Power Stroke 6.0 in this year group?

[1retired06]

According to the ford tow guide, a 2006 350 dually super cab is good for fifth wheels at 15.8K , 2WD. You can go on line and check for yourself as there are variables re cab type, 4WD, rear end gearing etc, none of which you mentioned. I towed with a 2005 6.0 and never had a problem with the engine. Many however did, and the 6.0 does not own a stellar reputation. Again, lots of info on line re historical issues and modifications to overcome those issues. Me personally, I would stay away from a 6.0 if not yet purchased.

[bigskyjimmy]

You are all good with A 2006 f350 Dually to haul the Monty as you are on the EDGE or At the capacity but Good like my 2007 Dually, as far as the 6.0 liter Powerstroke the problems are well Documented BUT they can be Bulletproofed and can be a great engine MANY companies sell Kits to Fix them(better EGR cooler,Coolant filter Etc..) but they are not cheap OR like 1retired06 said maybee you will never have any issues BUT I agree with him I would not take a chance Myself and this is coming from a Hard Core Ford Man until they came out with that motor

[WeBeFulltime]

If I was in the market for a used Ford diesel I would not buy anything but a 2011 and up 6.7.

[K0LCB]

I am real proud of my Ram!

[WaltBennett]

Got the same year and model and it's been great for 40k miles and 30k+ towing our Monty. You don't say how many miles or what mods have been done to the one you're looking at, but all I've done to ours is have the cooling system flushed and put an aftermarket cooling system filter on. I replaced the fuel filter right after buying it and after every 30k miles. Another tip I was told by an ex-Ford mechanic is to always use a good injector lubricant fuel additive. Only problem we've had with the truck was an electrical one that cut the AC off - bummer when the temperatures were in the 90's!

[jcurtis934]

With a 17000 lb fifth wheel, you need more than what that 2006 can deliver...my opinion. John

[WaltBennett]

quote:Originally posted by jcurtis934

With a 17000 lb fifth wheel, you need more than what that 2006 can deliver...my opinion. John

First, it all depends on how much you load into the trailer. Second, while an '06 6.0 is rated for 15.8k, I know I've been up to 16k in the trailer and another 500 or so in the truck. Absolutely no problems going up or down hills. No turbo pressures over 20 while doing 60 - 65 mph. Not even a small over temp amount. Stopping was no problem at all either. Those ratings are guidelines, and he will be exceeding them, and yes, if he loads the trailer up and drives like a maniac, he's in for a surprise sooner or later - but then, look at all these 15k+ 5er owners with SRW trucks hauling down the road at 70mph.

We got our truck and then the trailer, keeping in mind the weight recommendations. Ours is only a couple hundred pounds under the trucks rating. The bigger concern we had was total investment though, and I did NOT want to have to mess with a DEF truck, nor one with high mileage. There's a lot to figure into what one can afford and will do the work.

[The Bone]

I just took a 12'000 mile trip across the United States pulling my 03 Monty 3180 RL. I got a total MPG of 11.2.
I had no problem pulling any hill. I even went over the Teuton pass 10% grade with no problem. The truck never gave me any problem. I did 2 oil changes on my trip LOL. I am so glad I have the 6.7 F250. It's plenty of truck even in the wind the truck is steady.
I hear that the 17 6.7 has more H/P and torque than the previous years. I want more LOL

[Golferdave]

Just my point of view. We had a 2005 F350 with the 6.0. You name the problem, we had it. $ 8,000 one year for 4 injectors and other problems.
Always worrying about overheating. 3 EGR and cooler replacements ALL by FORD ( not warranty ). Finally went to Bullet Proof Diesel in Mesa AZ. Well spent $5,000. Traded to a 2011 F350 with the 6.7. WOW. What
a change. Great truck. We are full timers on the road for at least 3 months per year from Alberta to Arizona for the last 10 years. Both of our rigs were over 15,000 lbs.
My opinion: Avoid the 6.0.

[jlb27537]

Ron, The trailer will probably weigh close to the GVWR of the trailer. If you have the space, either you or your wife will put something there. So figure the trailer will weigh 16-17K. Figure pin actual weight to be around 3500+ lbs.

The 6.0, my neighbor has a '05 with 150K miles on it. Unless you know what all has been done to it, and it is low miles, I would move on to a 6.4 or 6.7 in the Ford line.

The later model trucks, IE: '11 and up, are much better trucks. I am on my first Ram and it is very impressive in every way, power, interior, fit and finish.

[waynemoore]

I had a 2008 F250 and for the most part it was a good truck. No major problems and I traded it at 99,000 miles for a 2015 F350. If not for the new rig being much heavier than the old one I would still have the 08. Now for the good and bad. Good I bought it new so I knew how it was taken care of. It was paid for. Insurance and tags were lower as it got older. Bad. It was a fuel hog. Mileage without the rig maybe 15 mpg. With the rig 8 mpg. Yes I know we don't buy these trucks for mileage we buy them to pull our rigs but any savings helps.

So I would stay with the 6.7 engine. My 2015 is a brute 440hp and 860lb torque. The 2017 has 925lbs of torque. Milage is 16.5 and 10.6 towing. Sometimes better.

[Jays094]

I had a similar problem in that I needed to make sure my tow vehicle capacity and trailer weight were compatible and after some time searching the net I found these links useful;

http://fifthwheelst.com/rvtc_enter.html

http://www.huskytow.com/towing-calculator/

https://ag.purdue.edu/extension/ppp/...alculator.xlsx

In my case I would prefer a Silverado 3500HD 4WD with diesel engine and Alison box in a crew cab standard bed with single wheels as I have another use for the vehicle as well as towing. When I matched it up with a post 2015 3710/11FL (we like the layout) I was able to determine that I was close to capacity although all three sites gave me slightly different answers when I inputted the same information - its was a nightmare. My plan is to go ahead and make sure I keep within trailer load capacity

I hope this helps and if there is better information out there I would love to know