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We just bought an F250 Super Duty Flat Bed V8 5.4L 3.73 and are suddenly struck by the idea that this may not be a big enough truck to haul our trailer out of Alaska. Any thoughts on whether this rig would pull a double axle 16' utility trailer that is boxed in with 3/8" plywood? We are guessing the total weight will be somewhere close to 8,000 lbs. We don't need to get there fast or with great mileage (which I know we won't get), but we do need to get there. We can't get another truck, we used all we had for this one and the cost of trucks in Alaska is outrageous. Thoughts would be appreciated.
i agree to check your owner's manual, but i can't imagine how you would not be OK. we have towed loads that large with older Fords that probably didn't have anywhere near the capacity of the Super Duty. i HAVE heard of Super Duty owners who thought the 5.4L is underpowered, but that's only relative to the V10 or the powerstroke that was also offered. on its own, that is a plenty powerful engine.
Thanks all. We have the brake controller and just have a case of the jitters. The old truck was a diesel, sad to see it go, but it won't get us out of Alaska without as much work as we just spent on the new rig. If we get there slow it is okay, I just want to get there!
It'll handle 8000 lbs but going up hills may be a bit difficult, it'll go up but not very fast! I think Ford should reserve the 5.4L to the F-150 and only have the V10 and the Powerstroke option of the Super Duty trucks but that's my opinion.
You'll be fine, the truck is rated well over 10,000 lbs towing and even an F150 would have fit the bill for what you are towing. You won't be towing slow either, you'll have plenty of oomph for what you are towing and will be fine on the road. I've had the V8 and V10. Me, I'd only consider the V10 in gas engines, but that's because it's a cheap $600 or so for some awesome power.
Besides, gas is less than diesel and you'll have lower maint cost overall, congrats on the new truck, be safe driving down to WA.
Don't forget NO GUNS thru canada, they will confiscate them!
Most recently, gasoline isn't cheaper than diesel in most of the Western USA. I just returned from the pacific NW and diesel was 10-20 cents per gallon less expensive than regular gas.
Additionally, the diesel pick up gets better fuel economy under load than the gasoline truck.
The F250 is more than adequate for safely hauling a 4 ton load. You shouldn't have any problems with than, and it's also within the rated braking capacity for the truck. With brakes on the trailer, that's an added safety margin and good practice. The 3.73 rear diff is slanted toward highway mileage, but you'll still do OK for towing with it for the trip.
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