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Old 03-25-2011, 08:21 PM   #1
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Is my F250 big enough to handle a Puma 26-FBSS

Hi,

All I posted a week ago about getting a Puma 30-KFB. We didn't get the TT after reading the replies I got about weigth, lenght and WB. I didn't feel comfortable about getting a 34' camper for my first TT.

So now we are looking at a Puma 26-FBSS the specs are:
Hitch dry weight - 705 lbs
Dry Axle weight - 5460
Total dry - 6165
Carrying cap - 4662
GVWR - 10,865
Lenght 29'9"
Height 11'1"

The salesman was no help to me as he told me I could pull anything on his lot with my F250 which I felt was a ploy to sell me the 34' TT.

My TV is a 2005 F250 Lariat Super Duty Diesel with 35,000 miles:

Trailer Hitch Receiver 12.5K
3.73 ratio Limited slip
142" WB
Trailer towing package -
Suspension with Stablizer bar
Mono Beam Coil Spring
9800 GVWR#


Based on all the experience here what do you think? I plan on buying Airbags and a Equalizer hitch system.

Thanks for you help.
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Old 03-25-2011, 08:39 PM   #2
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He is probably close to say you can pull about everything in the lot.

Your truck, that camper. Your truck wont even work up a sweat.

airbags not needed, unless you want it.
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Old 03-25-2011, 08:41 PM   #3
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For once, the dealer was almost right. Usually it is the opposite and they try to put the 34' trailers on a half ton truck and say it will be fine. Your truck will handle most any trailer you can find, except for a 5th wheel with a heavy pin weight.
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Old 03-26-2011, 03:27 PM   #4
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Thanks,

We pick up the new camper at the end of April as we ordered it with some extras i.e. matress upgrade, different color, better vent fans.

The dealer suggested that I consider a Blue Ox system as it will allow me to back up without having to disconnect the bars as I would with a equalizer hitch.

what is the prefered system here?

Thanks again I'm glad I found the forum,

Al
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Old 03-26-2011, 06:37 PM   #5
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We have a Blue Ox and it is great. Also a great company to deal with, see my posts on them. Another thing is there is no noise with it like some other brands and you can dial in the amount of sway control you need.
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Old 03-26-2011, 06:42 PM   #6
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You don't disconnect the bars with an equalizer hitch. Not sure where you got that info from.

Your truck will pull virtually any travel travel you choose without any problem.
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Old 03-26-2011, 06:53 PM   #7
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I use a equalizer (on an f250 by the way) and never unhook to back up, it is not necessary.
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Old 03-26-2011, 07:18 PM   #8
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I pull his with my F250 14K. Yeah Im over on pin weight but have no problems with sway or power use airbags for added pin weight
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Old 03-26-2011, 07:37 PM   #9
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Let me put it into perspective. There a a lot of new half ton trucks rated to tow more than the older 3/4 tons like my 2000 f250. They have softer springs, weigh a couple thousand pounds less and do not have full float rear axles.
Which do you think will be happier towing a 10k+ trailer in hills?
Which do you think will actually last while doing such a job?
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Old 03-26-2011, 09:45 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by lbrjet View Post
You don't disconnect the bars with an equalizer hitch. Not sure where you got that info from.

Your truck will pull virtually any travel travel you choose without any problem.

Is the equlalizer a sway and weight distribution system?

Thanks,
Al
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Old 03-26-2011, 10:03 PM   #11
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You don't disconnect the bars with an equalizer hitch. Not sure where you got that info from.

Your truck will pull virtually any travel travel you choose without any problem.
Thanks,
I have read on here that people have a hard time backing thier TTs up and had to unhook the anti sway bars prior to backing up.

Al
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Old 03-26-2011, 10:09 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by ALMcKinney View Post
Is the equlalizer a sway and weight distribution system?

Thanks,
Al
Yes
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Old 03-26-2011, 10:29 PM   #13
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We have a Graywolf 19 RR (about 5500lbs loaded?) and tow with a Ford F150 (gas) Super Crew Cab (4-door) with a Banks Power Exhaust system. We also have a Reese sway and weight distribution hitch system. The F150 sucks gas on hilly roads but seems to pull okay....much better on flat land. I KNOW a F250 diesel would be much better. I would LOVE to have one! (my next truck)

I know that the truck manufactures are re-evaluating the current tow weight ratings. They are going to be MUCH lower, more realistic. There was an article in one of the RV magazines about this ...I think some time last summer.

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/towing...nal/index.html

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...est/index.html
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Old 03-26-2011, 10:59 PM   #14
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Yes

I think I will go with the 1200/12500 set or is this too much?

Al
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Old 03-27-2011, 06:48 AM   #15
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Yes, there is not a standardized tow rating system, it is up to the manufacturer and what number they want to place on it and I think they sometimes get caught in the 1 up game with each other.
I can give 2 examples I recently saw in my town that scared me.
First was a older Dakota pulling a 30' bumper pull. Even with a weight dist hitch, he was almost dragging bumper. I imagine the hitch was not set up properly but I still bet it was scary at highway speeds.
Second was a new tundra pulling a huge 5th wheel about 38' with the high front, you know like 8' above the cab high. No doubt the tundra has the power to move it, the 5.7 is a beast, but how long will it hold up and how safe is it?
There is a difference in driving with a 2 hand death grip on the wheel, fighting to not get blown off the road every time a Prius passes you and leisurely towing with 1 palm on the wheel and now sweating a semi passing in the opposite direction on a 2 lane road. I admit my truck is somewhat overkill for my trailer, but I have wrecked with a trailer before and the results are not at all pretty. I feel you can never have too much tow vehicle, but I see a lot of people that I dont believe have enough tow vehicle.
Just my opinion
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Old 03-27-2011, 06:59 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by ALMcKinney View Post
I think I will go with the 1200/12500 set or is this too much?

Al
Hi Al,

The TTs GVWR is 10,000+in which case the 1,400/14,000 hitch is better for you.

The 1,200/12,000 will work if your loaded trailer is 8,000lbs or less (8,000x15%=1,200 tongue weight). So this deoends on how much you plan to carry.

I have spoken with the Equal-i-zer support desk before and they tend to recommend you size up. You might want to give them a call, too.
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Old 03-27-2011, 10:15 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by ALMcKinney View Post
I think I will go with the 1200/12500 set or is this too much?

Al
With a listed 705 lb. empty tongue weight, that system should be fine.
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Old 03-27-2011, 08:14 PM   #18
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Thanks for the information.

I will contact my dealer and have them order the 1400/14000.

Thanks,
Al


Quote:
Originally Posted by Triguy View Post
Hi Al,

The TTs GVWR is 10,000+in which case the 1,400/14,000 hitch is better for you.

The 1,200/12,000 will work if your loaded trailer is 8,000lbs or less (8,000x15%=1,200 tongue weight). So this deoends on how much you plan to carry.

I have spoken with the Equal-i-zer support desk before and they tend to recommend you size up. You might want to give them a call, too.
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