Appropriate towing vehicle/ updated 1/24

[PackersBackers]

Original post1/23) "We are interested in buying a Montana 5th wheel. We recently bought a 2008 Ford 250 Heavy Duty with 5.4L V8 gas engine. At that time, we were not thinking of buying the 5th wheel. Our truck's drive weight is listed at 11,000 pounds so we feel that we are very limited as to size of RV (looks like the smallest Montana is our only choice). We see many Ford 250's pulling 5th wheels but we're afraid to take the chance on purchasing anything too heavy. Does anyone have any thoughts on this subject?? Would sure appreciate hearing from as many as possible. Thank you." Updated post1/24) Thank you for all your comments and suggestions yesterday and we do appreciate your honesty. We are still set on getting a Montana however, and as we only have 1,110 miles on our present F250, we went to our local Ford dealership today to check on trading up to a F250 V10 gas engine with tow package, and anything we would need to haul a moderately sized Montana. Does the V10 sound like it would "make the grade"??

[bsmeaton]

Welcome to the Forum Judyann54!

I will be blunt. That 5.4L V8 barely has enough horsepower to move that empty truck, let alone pull a trailer. I have two 5.4L vehicles and both are SUVs that pull boats and they struggle at this altitude doing that.

If you look up your tow rating for that engine and gear ratio, you are no where near 11,000 lbs, rather you are closer to 9,000 lbs. You might be looking at the hitch rating, which has nothing to do with the truck.

Realistically I would look to a new truck, or look to the lightweight trailers or smaller RVs such as Couger, or the like. I think Mountaineer might even be too heavy. I would not go over 6,000 lbs empty weight or you will tear the guts out of that Ford.

[Icehouse]

First and foremost, do not go over what the manufacturer lists as the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight rating. Most trucks will pull most RVs. However, the question becomes, will the truck STOP the RV, will the truck accelerate fast enough to merge into traffic. If you live around hills (not to mention mountains) will you have enough extra power to climb these towing the RV. I used to have a F150 and towed an appropriate length and weight TT for the truck. However, I was right at the weight limit when the RV was loaded. Driving level roads was no problem - hills the truck strained. Mountains, well walking was faster. I now have an F350 and have a fair margin on weight when loaded. Makes all the difference in driving and mental sanity. Please size for your truck's ratings.

[BB_TX]

You don't say what year model the truck is. But I agree with Brad. The limiting factor is not the truck, but the engine. It just doesn't have the power to pull too much. And yes, you see a lot of F250s pulling 5th wheel campers, but virtually all are diesels or V10 gassers.

[richfaa]

I agree with the others..not enough engine to pull the smallest Montana. Look at the Couger line. Can you beleive that a Montana forum is telling you not to buy a Montana.We are just to honest.

[ols1932]

When you state that you see a lot of F-250's pulling 5th wheels, you have to realize that these F-250's are more than likely diesel motorized trucks. The 5.4 gasoline engine, as Brad mentioned, is not big enough to pull any of the Montanas in the hills. You may be able to move it on flat land but you will not have enough power to merge into traffic.

Orv

[bncinwv]

Or, buy a Montana (as we did), then buy an appropriately sized truck (as we did). I learned from towing a 30' tt with a 5.3 half-ton. It would pull it fine, it would stop it fine, and it took two transmissions to figure out that pulling and stopping is not all that is involved (there are some mechanical factors to consider as well)!!
Bingo

[richfaa]

Their first post said they "recently" purchased a F-250 Ford although they did not say if it was a brand new one having recently purchased one truck they may not be real anxious to purchase another. Unless there is the financial where -with-all to purchase another truck it would make sense to purchase a camper that fits the truck they have.

[TLightning]

As stated, I think you will find the Montana line will be too much for your truck. Since it is a gas engine (making the truck lighter than a diesel truck), the cargo capacity will probably handle the pin weight, but the 5.4L V8 would have a very hard time with the Montana, plus, with that engine, I think you would be way over the GCWR.

Sorry to say, but it appears to me you need either more truck or less trailer than a Montana.

[bsmeaton]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

Their first post said they "recently" purchased a F-250 Ford although they did not say if it was a brand new one having recently purchased one truck they may not be real anxious to purchase another. Unless there is the financial where -with-all to purchase another truck it would make sense to purchase a camper that fits the truck they have.

There are 1,000 missing facts and variables for us to make any recommendations in that area, and 999 of them are none-of-our-business.

[Ozz]

You are a good man, Brad.

[scductman]

My sil just traded a 99 dodge 360 v8 with tp. he had been pulling a 28ft tt sob and wanted a bigger truck. he got a 05 250 4x4 with 5.4 and has made one trip with it. it is a beautiful truck but he is sick about the way it pulls. his tt is about 7000# so I think you need to be very carefull jmo. bobby

[ole dude]

Yep

[daneboy]

Really can't add anything except to say, they are all correct. More engine / transmission or less camper.
Jerry

[Garin1]

As others have stated, most of the time you see a F-250 pulling a fiver it is a diesel. I had a F-150 Lariat with the same engine but I pulled a 30" Cougar with a dry weight of 7000lb. When I went to the Montana i changed to a F-350 diesel. The 250 already weighs more than the 150 so I would not pull more than 6000lb dry. Good luck and be careful.

[Clyde n Deb]

To buy a Montana or not is not an option here. The truck is. Git 'R Done.

[bncinwv]

The V10 will work sufficiently, Richfaa and others can testify accordingly. Diesel is an option also so don't limit yourself if you don't have to. As I stated before, if you are adamant about a large 5th wheel, pick the one you want and then after knowing the relevant weights, tow weight, pin weight, etc, you will be able to make a more informed decision. Good luck,
Bingo

[bsmeaton]

quote:Originally posted by judyann54

Does the V10 sound like it would "make the grade"??

OH YA!

[richfaa]

Does the V10 sound like it would "make the grade"?? Short answer YES. Having said that.... We pulled a 06 3400 all over the country up and down some of the steepest grades with a 05,LL,CC, 1 ton Dually, V-10.. It did the job just fine. So as not to start the Diesel/Gas thing..The V10 will do just fine..The Diesel will do better. We now have the same truck in a 08 6.4L diesel because the way we used the truck changed. (this isn't easy is it) How will you use the truck, What kind of travel will you do.What do you consider a Moderately Sized Montana. Bingo has good advise Pick the Montana you want, Consider what you can do financially then come back..We are full of opinions and advise when we are not spending our own money.

[clutch]

After reading your updated post I think you are making a wise decision. The V10 should easily meet your needs and the drive train will be up to the task asked of it.