We just traded up to a 4 Star 3H 12' short wall w/full LQ (a Showtime).  Current truck is a '01 F-250 Super Cab 4WD (automatic) w/7.3 turbodiesel.  I am not sure of the gears.  We would probably only ever pull with 2 horses.  I think we are at upper end - but how close are we (or are my figures way off)?. 

Appreciate any input.

I don't know much, but I know that the people who DO know stuff will want to know what your trailer weighs (actual weight when loaded, not sticker weight), and what the towing capacity of that truck is (for which you need to know your rear axle gear ratio).  Good luck!

(I'll put myself on record as saying I don't think you have enough truck.  But what do I know!?)

You might get by with a F-250, but you'll need air bags or Timbrens to get the truck leveled back up. That trailer will mash it pretty good. An F-350 would be better, but it to may need some leveling.... Like Sharon said... Have it and the truck weighed at a CAT scale....

http://www.catscale.com/

Do you mean "GVW"??

 A way to ID your axle is to look at the axle code on the Federal Certification Label on the lower doorframe behind the driver's door. Under "AXL" your code is probably "C1" which means F-250 with 3.73 limited slip. If it is "31" that means F-250 with 3.73 open axle.

Dang I think I misunderstood what you were saying.  Are you saying the trailer weighs 9500 empty or loaded (except horses)?  If you are saying it weighs 9500 empty you are most likely correct and I was wrong.  At first I thought you were saying it weighed that with all tanks full etc.

If I'm not mistaken, the combined towing weight of a 250 SD 4 x 4 is around 18k. The 373 gears are fine with your 7.3 motor, I have no problem with the same combination. As Retendo stated, you'll need additional help with the rear suspension; air bags or Timbrens. Without either, there will be some serious spring compression.

It may be a moot point however, if you're over the pin weight for the rear axle. You will need to know how much weight you have on the hitch. If you exceed its capabilities, you can over load the rear tires and shorten their life span, as well as mechanically harming your truck's running gear.

Gard

Little sticker inside the door on the cab says C1..this means 3.73 limited slip? 

So..the next thing we need to determine is pin weight?  How do I go about calculating that?  I'm checking out the info for the CAT scales.  We have a feed co-op in town that can probably weigh the vehicle(s).  Forgive my ignorance...do we need to weigh with horses or can we weigh empty and then add on estimated animal weight?

I thank you all so much for your patient explanations.  I work at a truck shop - I don't think it will be hard to get air bags or whatever else it may take to get our suspension up to par.  Um, at least it will be easier than telling DH that along with the new trailer, now we need a new tow vehicle, too .

I must say, this board is a wealth of information and again, I appreciate all the help.

28' LQ?  Or a 28' floor?  Our Sundowner is 25' on the floor, 10' LQ and a 3 HORSE!  So the trailer in question from the original poster is going to be about 30' on the floor give or take a few inches depending on if that trailer has the 37.5" stall or 39.5" stalls.

I mentioned that they would have enough truck to pull that trailer, but common sence has to step in sometime or another and think about "stopping"!  Being in the car buisness since 1983 (new and used) I see this all of the time.  People buying just enough truck to get by with then not long after they are looking for more vehicle.  I even done this myself with wreckers in the early 90's, tried using 1 ton trucks with 350 gas engines with 4.10 gear to save money up front then found myself needing more truck sooner that I wanted.  Then I figured out to buy the trucks with a larger engine and spend more up front and ended up using less gas and using the truck more years.....