I had posted a few weeks ago that I had purchased a 3 horse slant load that is 8 X 7'6'' X 22'. I had a '95 F250 Ford with a towing package and I was concerned about whether or not it would pull the trailer. The advice I received was that it probably was not powerful enough and I agree with that after pulling it with the 250. I am now looking at a F350 Ford Diesel that is an '01 and has the PowerStroke and towing package. Before I purchase it, I just want to see if that seems like it would do the job for this trailer. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted 2006-09-19 12:30 AM (#426 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 1
The 7.3 Powerstrokes are great engines, we love our two trucks. I just wanted to mention that, if it has the auto transmission, you might want to find out if they have rebuilt the tranny in it. I believe the '01 Ford transmissions have the mechanical diode, which is a weak link. The earlier trucks don't have the MD and the 2002 trucks don't have it either.
Posted 2006-09-19 7:01 AM (#427 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 802
Location: Hagerstown, MD
Arlene21, you should have plenty of truck with 2001 PSD. We pull a steel, 3h slant with 12' LQ with our 2001 F350 SRW PSD and it does the job just fine. I'm at about the limits of the truck with the amount of trailer I have right now.
By the way, what engine do you have in your 1995 F250? I'm curious as to why it struggles with your new trailer? Are you trading your 1995 in on the 2001?
Posted 2006-09-19 7:27 AM (#428 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 180
Location: Kentucky
It has a 5.4 which should pull it but it loses power on hills and won't downshift like it should under stress. My mechanic checked it out for me and nothing showed on the monitors. I could feel it strain some on the old trailer but this one is 6" taller, 12" wider and 2' longer with a hay rack. It is a much heavier trailer.
Posted 2006-09-19 8:49 AM (#429 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 634
Location: Tipton, IN
arlene21,
You say the truck you presently have has a 5.4L V-8, but they didn't make that engine until 1997 models. Your truck, if it is gas would either be a 5.0, a 5.8, or 7.5L. Those being a 302, 351, or a 460. Just clarifying. And if in fact you do have the 302, yes you would be underpowered. As for the truck you are looking at, the 7.3L PSD is a great engine with an excellent history of reliability. I have owned several, and still do.
Posted 2006-09-19 3:07 PM (#431 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 212
Location: Western WA
Hi Arlene,
I have a 2001 F350 SRW 7.3L that I pull a steel 3H gooseneck with. Pulled it no problem, its a great match for the trailer. I just bought a LQ trailer and am upgrading to a dually to pull it - but sticking with Ford.
Posted 2006-09-19 3:25 PM (#432 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 180
Location: Kentucky
I am going to talk to the dealer about trading. He did let me use the 2001 last weekend to go camping and see how I liked it. To me it pulled great and I felt like it had control of the trailer but I wanted to get advice before I made the deal. It is a long bed so I don't have to worry about knocking the window out when I make a sharp turn. It makes for a long rig with the long bed and the 22' but I am sure that I will adjust. Thank-you everyone for your help.
Posted 2006-09-19 11:43 PM (#435 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 1
Location: greenville, texas
We have 97 F250 PS NO CHIP AND PULL A 4H STEELFRAME SUNDOWNER 30' BOX 8'LQ WITH A HAY RACK 5 EXTRA TOOL BOXES . CORRAL PANELS ON BOTH SIDES. A FULL SIZE HOUSEHOLD REF WITH A 6 CAR BATTERY BANK ALL THE CAMPING JUNK YOU CAN IMAGINE, 2 HANDICAPPED SCOOTERS, 2 COOLERS FULL IN THE BED AND 4 BIG QHS. NO PROBLEM.
Posted 2006-09-20 3:28 AM (#436 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 180
Location: Kentucky
Is that pulling on flat or on steep grades? Much of my pulling involves hills like Mo. Ozarks, Tenn. Big South Fork, Ill. Shawnee National Forest. Your truck is in much better shape than mine. I know it couldn't handle all that you have.
Posted 2006-09-20 9:19 AM (#439 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 180
Location: Kentucky
I had checked the Blue Book earlier and it seemed a little high to me but the 01 is in excellent condition and my truck has a ding or two. I looked for a similiar truck on-line and most seem to be priced higher. The truck I am looking at does have 113,000 miles on it but I was told that a diesel is still good even with the high mileage.
Posted 2006-09-21 8:40 AM (#440 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 143
Location: southeast U.S.A.
deranger,
mooretm must have some huge stalls or an unmentioned mid tack on his trailer being 30' on the box and 8' lq. Our's is a 4-horse with 8 1/2' shortwall dressing room and still only a 25' box, about 32' overall! We have an f250 & f350 to pull with but the f250 never pulls this trailer and it's aluminum. Guess I just haven't given the f250 enough credit!
Posted 2006-09-21 6:58 PM (#442 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 802
Location: Hagerstown, MD
Ardly, I also have an older F250 with a really "sweet running" old 6.9L diesel and a 2001 F350 7.3 PSD. I know for a fact that my old truck has enough suspension and brakes to handle our 3H LQ trailer, but is way underpowered compared to our newer truck.
I'm going along with my wife on this one, I want to see pictures of how that rig is loaded!
Posted 2006-09-22 6:56 AM (#444 - in reply to #424) Subject: RE: Diesel Truck
Posts: 180
Location: Kentucky
Thanks for all of the advice. I did make the trade but I had them pay all taxes and license. I feel good about it. The truck is in excellent condition inside and out, it pulled my trailer and drove with no problem and my mechanic checked it thoroughly and said it was sound.
Diesel Truck
