2002 150 supercrew w/ 26tbud

vikesfan24 · 06-09-2010, 07:24 PM

I am on the verge of buying a 26tbud with a 5800lbs dryweight. The max towing of my truck is 7600lbs. I live in a very flat area(North Dakota)and would be running trips of between 75-100miles. Do you think this will work or is it too much? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

LadyWindrider · 06-09-2010, 07:35 PM

I have an 01 Supercrew, 5.4L with 3.73 and 4x4. I tow 7000 pound fully loaded trailer, in the mountains of North Carolina, 5000 feet and higher. I don't set any speed records, scream the engine at 3800 rpm in third gear to make hills at 45 mph, and change the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. I may be slow, but faster than most tractor/trailers. I have a Reese Dual cam, and tow an 18 foot toy hauler. I think you will be fine, and I seldom give a blessing. Put a quart of LUCAS transmission additive in when you change the trans fluid, can't hurt and I don't work for them, or have any affiliation with them.

cthelite · 06-09-2010, 10:53 PM

WE NEED A SUPERBOWL WIN!!!

Greetings VF, I looked @ the exact same unit myself.... (VERY nice TT.)

On towing it..... I have an F-150 myself and now tow a Cherokee lite 28A+, its UVW is 5740 (dry weight). Check the specs on the truck..... Axle gear ratios are important, I think 3.73/ 5.4L F-150 should tow that with no problem on level travels, (even on hills). I'm no expert on this but, as a word of advice, check the gear ratios for tow ratings @ your local ford dealer. Also, whenever possible empty your tanks before you tow, leave about 3-5 gallons in the BLACK water tank and pack light. Hit me back after you purchase

GO VIKES!!

red.jimbo · 06-09-2010, 11:03 PM

vikesfan24, Have you reviewed the Ford RV & Towing guide? https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...2/2002_All.pdf I suspect you have. I agree with windrider. You should be okay with that set up. Perhaps it is a little tight on the margins. But, frankly, the tow rating from Ford is suspiciously conservative in my mind. It is odd that my 03 Expedition has a shorter wheelbase, more cab weight, a 3.73 axle instead of 3.55 and yet it will tow 1,000 more pounds. I am by no means suggesting you ignore their recommendation, but sometimes I wish I knew the rest of the story behind the rating.

MtnGuy · 06-10-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windrider

I have an 01 Supercrew, 5.4L with 3.73 and 4x4. I tow 7000 pound fully loaded trailer, in the mountains of North Carolina, 5000 feet and higher. I don't set any speed records, scream the engine at 3800 rpm in third gear to make hills at 45 mph, and change the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles.

You sure that 2800 rpm doing 45 mpg ain't 2nd gear ??? We have the same engine and final drive ratio, and I think that is about where my rpms are at that speed in 2nd. I will check it next time out going up the Blue Ridge. I don't like winding my truck out like that either, but they are made for it.......you probably are still less than 75% of redline.....whatever that might me......mine doesn't have it marked on the tach.

LadyWindrider · 06-10-2010, 08:01 AM

You're right, it's second gear, my mistake. Redline is around 5000. Not marked, that's what the rev limiter is set at. According to curves I've seen, max torque is at 2200, max horsepower is at 4200, max RPM at 5000, from my memory, which is getting older than I am.

Anyway, it will pull it, just slow. And like Clint Eastwood said, "A man has got to know his limitations", and I know mine, at least as far as towing the camper is concerned.

red.jimbo · 06-10-2010, 08:43 AM

I found the following specifications at ford-trucks.com on the 5.4L Triton:

Power: 260 hp SAE net @ 4,500 rpm. Torque: 350 lb.-ft. SAE net @ 2,500 rpm, 90 percent of torque is available from 1,870 rpm to 4,280 rpm. There was nothing in these specifications on the redline RPM. But 5,000 RPM seems about right.

As I recall. My Ford works as follows: (All values approximate) 2,000 RPM in 4th: 70 MPH. 3,000 RPM in 3rd: 70 MPH. 2,500 RPM in 3rd: 60 MPH. 3,000 RPM in 2nd: 45 MPH. My rear-end ratio is 3.73:1. Yes. The rear-end on my truck :-)

MtnGuy · 06-10-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red.jimbo

My rear-end ratio is 3.73:1. Yes. The rear-end on my truck :-)

vikesfan24 · 06-10-2010, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the information guys. I do know that i have 3.55 gears so that doesn't help much, however I do have a towing package. I plan on almost always having empty tanks-especially on longer trips. I tow alot of trailers for work so I am pretty familiar with handling them. Another question I have is how accurate are the dry weights on campers? Some people say they are way low-others say they are pretty accurate. And finally-without water is it possible to stock my rv for under 1000-1200lbs? I'm trying to figure out how much all my stuff weighs and I would be packing pretty light. Your guys help has been great!!

Thanks again

red.jimbo · 06-10-2010, 11:25 AM

Locally, there is a sand and gravel retailer that I often use when landscaping. Since they sell most of their products by the ton, they have a state-certified vehicle scale at their facility. They will weigh any vehicle at any time at no charge, provided you don't require a certified weight and you are satisfied with getting the weight written on a post-it note.

If you are in doubt about your trailer weight, I would try to find a similar facility, and ask them to borrow their scale. Provided they don't have a line, you should have enough time to drop the tongue jack and leave the trailer by its lonesome on the scale. You could even get the GCW of both the TT and TV if you so desire.

MtnGuy · 06-10-2010, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikesfan24

Another question I have is how accurate are the dry weights on campers? Some people say they are way low-others say they are pretty accurate.

After adding options, a battery, and propane, the dry weight will probably be about 500 lbs. more than the listed dry weight in the brochure. My listed dry weight in the brochure was 4139 lbs., and coming across the scales on the 1st trip back from the dealer is was 4760...the hot water heater was full which is close to 50 lbs.

It adds up fast. On ours the interior luxury package (microwave, CD player, tub surround, etc.) was 90 lbs, the exterior luxury package (AC, awning, jacks, etc.) was 163 lbs., The rooff ladder is 15 lbs., the outside grill is 15 lbs, the battery around 50 lbs., and 60 lbs of propane........I think the empty propane tanks are figured in already.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikesfan24

And finally-without water is it possible to stock my rv for under 1000-1200lbs?

Yes. Our weight is about 700 lbs. over our actual dry weight......and we carry a lot of stuff.

MtnGuy · 06-10-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red.jimbo

Locally, there is a sand and gravel retailer that I often use when landscaping. Since they sell most of their products by the ton, they have a state-certified vehicle scale at their facility. They will weigh any vehicle at any time at no charge, provided you don't require a certified weight and you are satisfied with getting the weight written on a post-it note.

If you are in doubt about your trailer weight, I would try to find a similar facility, and ask them to borrow their scale. Provided they don't have a line, you should have enough time to drop the tongue jack and leave the trailer by its lonesome on the scale. You could even get the GCW of both the TT and TV if you so desire.

I have hit up our local rock quarry a number of times trying different WDH settings. They have been great about it. I will copy down the figures as I go across the scales.....TV front axle, total TV, total TV and trailer, and just the trailer. If needed I will go back across with a different chain setting on the WDH. I will then drive all of the way home (2 miles

) and go back for just the truck.....again the front axle, total, and rear axle. All sorts of good information can be obtained from these figures.........the wife calls me anal.

If they are busy, I will just wait until no trucks are in sight.....I think the scale girl and dump truck drivers both appreciate that.......that is why they let me keep coming back.

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