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Old 08-20-2006, 03:57 PM   #1
boylanag
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Tow Vehicle for 2980RL

I was advised by another member to start a new topic for this question. We are close to upgrading from a 2002RK to a 2006 2980RL. Thank you so much for the responses to that question. We really appreciate them. We are really getting excited now and hope to bring this to the rally. We are now looking into the weight issue and it should be close but ok. We have a 2001 F250 2 wd, gas, with 5.4l and a 4.10 rear end. It pulls our 2850RK like a dream. Should there be a large problem here with the TV?



Carol and Jim Boylan
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Old 08-21-2006, 02:33 AM   #2
Glenn and Lorraine
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Although a GMC owner I would see no reason your F250 could not haul that Monty around without a problem. If you look at the signatures of many MOCers you will see many use the F250. Also check out the MOC Owner's Rigs pages to see a huge photo collection of MOCers rigs many of which are using a 3/4 ton and Ford gets their fair share.

BTW-Get a picture of your Monty and TV to me and I add it to the rigs pages.


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Old 08-21-2006, 03:49 AM   #3
boylanag
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Thanks, Glen. I will get the photo of them after this week. That's when we'll know if we are getting the 2980 or not. With all of the good info we have received and seen on this forum, I see no reason for us not to have the new 2980 this week - Jim

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Old 08-21-2006, 04:36 AM   #4
sreigle
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The 5.4L is a good engine but I have to wonder if it has the moxie to handle that much weight. Still, if it handled your 2850RK ok then maybe it will be ok. Do you know the tow rating for that engine/axle combination?

Here's some numbers for you.

Unloaded vehicle weight per the brochures:

8,326 - 2002 2850RK

10,665 - 2007 2980RL

According to those numbers the 2980 will weigh roughly 2,339 lbs more than the 2850RK. That will vary depending on options in the two rigs and how you load it but maybe this will give you a rough idea.

If you are not fulltiming my guess would be you'll be in the neighborhood of 12,000 lbs total weight. That's just an educated guess, though.

--on edit-- I found the 2002 towing guide online. You can pick get the tow rating from this chart.



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Old 08-21-2006, 08:05 AM   #5
Cat320
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You/we need more information...GVWR, GCWR and cargo capacity for your truck.

The brochure shows the empty trailer pin weight for the 2980 as 2315.
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Old 08-21-2006, 11:19 AM   #6
mallardjusted
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It will probably tow it ok, but it certainly would be marginal in the power department. So it depends on how you feel about that (do you drive over a lot of hills or passes??).

If the empty pin weight is 2312 bs, you will most likely be a fair amount above payload capacity (you should be able to find your payload capacity on your truck sticker). Your actual payload will probably be in the 3000 to 3600 lb range, depending on what you carry in your truck (pin weight, hitch weight, people, tools, misc). But there are many that have no problems with going over the payload capacity.

Is there anyway you can try towing a new one before buying?? It may not have all the stuff stowed away on it, but it would give you a better idea.



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Old 08-21-2006, 12:57 PM   #7
boylanag
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Thanks to all for the great information and advice. We really appreciate it, both on this thread re the tv and the other on the 2980RL info. I am going to install Bilstein shocks and the Banks exhaust system. I have seen in the other threads that the Banks addition should help considerably. We have not done much mountain driving but do not want to not be able to if we wish. We must keep this tv for a while yet so your info has been great. Thanks again, Jim

Carol and Jim Boylan
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Old 08-21-2006, 01:57 PM   #8
ols1932
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I'm with Steve. Although the F-250's will work, most of those who use the F-250 have diesel engines. You have the right rear end in your truck but I believe your engine will be well over-taxed with the weight it will have to pull. It may work for a while but will be lugging a lot. I would go for either a heavy-duty F-250 with a diesel engine, or better yet, a F-350 diesel with single rear wheels (SRW, my opinion only).

Orv
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Old 08-21-2006, 03:30 PM   #9
Wrenchtraveller
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If you read Steve's chart you can see that the V10 gas with 4.30 gears is rated to tow more than the PSD. You do not need a diesel to tow heavy. The Ford V10 is very capable even if it is thirsty.

My 05 V10 pulls my 2955RL up 8% grades at 60 MPH with pedal to spare.

Don & Donna
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2005 Ford F350 V10 Lariat CC 4x4 LB SRW 11200 GVWR
2006 Montana 2955RL
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Old 08-21-2006, 03:31 PM   #10
richfaa
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Well I don't know..That camper should be about 12k or a bit more with your normal stuff aboard. In my opinion...that is not enough truck.. Note he has the 5.4L motor..

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
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Old 08-21-2006, 03:35 PM   #11
Wrenchtraveller
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I agree the 5.4 is a little weak for that trailer but if you are towing flat with a tail wind.............yada.. yada.. yada

Don & Donna
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Old 08-22-2006, 08:02 AM   #12
Cat320
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Can't speak specifically re Fords, but the corresponding Chevy (2500HD 6.0L gasser) can take the pin weight (no heavy diesel engine), but would be well over GCWR (16000)with any Montana in tow.

Suggest you find the appropriate numbers...GVWR/GCWR and apply them to your TV and 5er, then go from there.

My dually should be here this week...although I think that's what I said last week!
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Old 09-18-2006, 06:32 PM   #13
hookman
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trailer life chart for truck says the max is 9700 lbs.
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Old 09-18-2006, 07:31 PM   #14
bsmeaton
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Carol and Jim,

I guess proof is in the pudding. If your TV handled the 2850, there is not a lot of difference (1000 lbs) in the GVWR of the 2980, although the empty weight is almost 1-ton more.

However - I've got two 5.4L in Expeditions, and I personally would never take them to task of towing 12K pounds, even with the dirt digger gears. To me it would just tear the guts out of it. Those 5.4L are 16-valve low RPM low tech engines and don't have nearly the ponys as the newer generation high rpm 4-valve gassers such as the GMC 6.0 or Ford Triton V10. I would seriously add a TV replacement to your equation in the near future, especially for pulling mountains at altitude.
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Old 09-19-2006, 02:23 AM   #15
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Prior to trading for a diesel, I personally went from owning a 2000 2850RK to a 2005 2980RL when I had a F-350 with a 460 big block in it. One thing you'll notice instantly is the pin weight difference ... your current truck will squat noticeable more ... even the dually showed the extra weight. You may be happy pulling your 2850 with the 351 gasser, but I think unless you live in the flatlands of Kansas you're going to be dissapointed with the new combo. I know what you're thinking about cubic inches... I had a Ford grain truck that hauled many a bushel with a tiny 292 in it years ago ... Aside from all the listings of tow ratings these are seat of the pants observations. If you have the funds, I'd hold off buying add on's and consider a TV with more engine along with your new Monty.
On Edit: New shocks will not level out this combination, just smooth out the ride. The price of a Banks exhaust would cover tag work and property tax on a newer TV.
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Old 09-19-2006, 08:35 AM   #16
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Hey Dieselguy - I had a 460 back in 89. With 4:10s it was a brute, but no overdrive. Couldn't keep up with the increased speed limits. I also had the chev 454 and the dodge 440. All were brutes and all are now gone. Detroit introduced us to the smaller cubic inch high tech gas engines in the late 90s to replace the big blocks. They have equal if not better torque and horsepower than the earlier big blocks and do pretty well. Unfortunately the 5.7L was not one of these new generation engines and never really changed until the 3-valve was introduced in 2005. It's still a medium duty small block.

Brad
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Old 09-19-2006, 09:45 AM   #17
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Brad ... My 460 was a fuel injected 95 model with 4:10's and an automatic. You're correct, for a gasser it was stout; however, 7.5 mpg pulling, going uphill, downhill, idling in the driveway, backing up, driving down the road ... 7.5 mpg ... it just didn't matter! Well honestly I got 12 mpg empty, but you get the picture.
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Old 09-19-2006, 11:29 AM   #18
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Agreed, 5.4 litre is rather small to be hauling tht kind of weight.
Equivalent to the old 350 cid, or there abouts.
Not really enough torque. IMHO
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Old 09-19-2006, 03:11 PM   #19
Cat320
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IMHO, way too much discussion regarding power and not enough consideration of real weights...what is the GVWR and the GCWR? An F250 of this age will be considerably over GVWR with an empty pw of 2315. When that is made into a real pw, and you add hitch weight, cargo, and passengers the total could easily be over 3000. As mentioned earlier, a 3/4 Chevy with the 6.0 gasser has a 16000 GCWR, no where near enough for any Montana. I would think a 3/4 Ford with the 5.4 would be the same or close.
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Old 09-24-2006, 04:20 PM   #20
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Thought I would interject. You will exceed all your weights. I am overweight GVWR with my D3500. Engine size, etc has nothing to do with it. Check your rated GVWR & GCWR. Anything under a 1 tonner you are fooling yourself.
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