Time for me to trade up from a bumper pull to a gooseneck. Planned on purchasing a F 250 supercab, short box. Found one 2006, 4x4, 5.4 V8, 3.73 ratio limited slip axle, low mileage, factory install tow command system, 5 speed automatic, gas. Plan on getting a used,older model, 2 horse gooseneck with 8 or 10' living quarters, hopefully Sundowner. Will only be hauling a single horse, 45 minute trip to show grounds but lots of hills (not mountains). Seems like everybody there has 3 horse with living quarters and using 3/4 ton gas pickups to haul. Will it work or do I have to have a F350? Suggestions??
Posted 2010-11-24 8:07 AM (#127400 - in reply to #127388) Subject: RE: New (used) truck & trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: Ohio
That truck will do exactly what you want it to. I have a 06 250 that I use to pull much larger trailers. As far as weight, it'll be perfect. The 5.4 is a good reliable engine and the transmissions are great in these trucks.
Posted 2010-11-24 11:25 AM (#127408 - in reply to #127388) Subject: RE: New (used) truck & trailer
Member
Posts: 8
Any idea what the trailers weigh? Book says F250 with that axle ratio can only haul 9300#. Really, really want this truck but it's no good if I can't use it to haul.
Posted 2010-11-24 12:37 PM (#127411 - in reply to #127388) Subject: RE: New (used) truck & trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: Ohio
That sounds about right. 9000 lbs of trailer is alot of trailer. My 28' solid steel LQ trailer barely weighs 8500 with a full (50 gal)water tank..thats a 3 horse and 15' of LQ.. You figure 9k lbs of weight divided by 20-25% is going to put your hitch weight around 2000 lbs. Which is all you're going to want on the truck anyway. A 2 horse w/ 8' LQ will be fine behind the truck. You won't win any races with it, but it will do it just fine. I've seen 1/2 tons pulling that same size trailer.
If you aren't comfortable with it, move on and look for a diesel or V10. As far as weight capacity, the same year diesels had a GCWR of 23000 lbs, which allows for 15,000 on the GN hitch..without going over the gross axle rating of course.
I ride with folks that pull 8' full LQ 3 horse trailers with 3/4 tons all over the country with no problems as far as handling the weight.
Although the 5.4 is a great engine, it may be underpowered for what you want to do. You will have to decide that.
Posted 2010-11-25 9:07 PM (#127462 - in reply to #127388) Subject: RE: New (used) truck & trailer
Member
Posts: 8
Thanks for your input. Very helpful. Calling tomorrow to see if truck is still available. Next task, find 2 horse staight load with ramp & 8' LQ that weighs less than 7500 somewhere in the northeast. Am I asking for too much?
Posted 2010-11-26 8:59 AM (#127470 - in reply to #127388) Subject: RE: New (used) truck & trailer
Veteran
Posts: 235 Location: Keymar,Maryland
The only thing I see to be cautious about is with straight loads and lq's the tongue weights tend to be higher. With slants the axles are a little more forward and the trailer better balanced. I've had both and my 3 horse slant with slide out hauls better than the 2 horse straight and full lq without slide.
New (used) truck & trailer
