Opinions on this truck for towing please:

On my quest for finding a truck to pull my 26ft. Fly bridge, I think I may have found it.<br /><br />I found an F350 2-wheel drive Ford with a 390 V8, manual trans.<br />This truck has an extra added bonus. The owner put a dual wheel axle on the back, and it has over-loads. This thing looks like it was made for the US Army!<br /><br />My question and concern:<br /><br />What are your thoughts on towing and pulling my 26ft. Fiberform Fly Bridge? The manual trans would be ideal for gearing down on hills, however I really like the auto trans for pulling up the boat ramp. I know it's just a matter of teqnique 'popping' the clutch. I can easily change the trans, but I would like to hear opinions.<br /><br />And what about yanking it out of the water on a steep ramp and a wet one or both? And what about those lurking ramps that suddenly drop off to nowhere? I dropped into one of these with my 21 ft runabout last summer. <br /><br />Talk about eye openers and butt-clinching when your trailer dissapears underwater!<br />Good thing I had 4-wheel drive that day.<br /><br />I've always been a fan for 4-wheel drives, but this is one of those 'don't pass it up' deals.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.

Re: Opinions on this truck for towing please:

Check the tranny & rear end codes to see what you'd be getting. Best I can tell, some manuals are good for towing and some aren't. If it has granny low, that should help coming up ramp. Check the GCVWR for the truck. Try www.ford-trucks.com for more info on towing w/a ford.<br /><br />BL...

Re: Opinions on this truck for towing please:

Should not have any problems towing up to 35 footer with that kind of rig as long as the hitch can handle it and the brakes are in good condition. <br />Without the "PARK" in the transmission, make darn sure that your emergency brake is FULL ON and working or you will have problems at the bottom of the ramp!!!!! <br />Most of the Heavy Duty pick up's have a creaper gear for a very heavy load or starting from a hill. If you are good with a clutch then easy does it. If not, an automatic would be the better way to go.<br />As long as there is no snow on the ramp, I don't see you having any traction problems. <br />Good Luck.

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Thanks for the advice fellas.<br /><br />Didn't think about the parking brake.<br />Good point.<br /><br />I'm still leanin' towards stuffin' an auto in it anyways. I've rebuilt a bunch of them, so it would be a snap to toss one in it.<br /><br />H.

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Homerr--<br /> You most likely won't encounter any problems towing or at the ramp. Just don't forget the manual trans. is in reverse when you get in and fire it up! I agree w/ the E-brake idea,make sure the cables aren't froze up or removed.(Ford p/u's are famous for this.)If they are replace them!<br /> As far as the clutch dilemma-- keep your right foot on the brake and very,very slowly raise the clutch pedal till you hear eng. idle down; then you can safely remove your right foot from brake and go to the accellerator. Then take off like you normally would. I do however recommend trying this on a steep hill several times w/ boat and trailer,before putting into the local ramp and we end up reading about you in the other part of this forum!

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Yea, I've done that with the brake pedal before.<br />When I used to have a clutched truck, I also put the e-brake on, slowly let up the clutch and then once it starts to engage, let the e-brake go. <br /><br />Works with a bit of practice. This is the only thing that autos have over the manual.<br /><br />One thing I don't like in my Ford 4x4 I have now... It just won't gear down low enough with the auto trans. Good thing is, I can toss it in 2-wheel low. It crawls then!<br /><br />H.

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Homerr... The best part about your situation is that you already know what your limitations are in advance. Based on all your recent posts you think things through. So, until you start driving a 20 ton crane you know what type ramps you will be limited to.<br /><br />I'm sure the F-350 will serve your needs or it should become trading material.<br /><br />What part of the world are you intending on launching and boating?<br /><br />Bob

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Thanks Bob.<br /><br />I'll be launching mainly from the mid to South Oregon Coast.<br /><br />The ramps are usually real good over there. Made for very large boats, however one can't have enough truck!<br /><br />H.

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Ok, I'm going to post this on the Ford forum, but I thought I'd toss it out on this board:<br /><br />The truck says MAX gvwr 10,000, But then again, it has dually's on it with overloads which isn't original so I'm told.<br /><br />It runs great and has plenty of power. I think she'll do nicely.<br /><br />Thanks everyone!<br /><br />H.

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Hommer<br />Just my $ .02, but I don't like trusting E-brakes. I always block the tires, with a dually you can block the outside tires on retrival and when leaving the ramp the trailer tires will pass by the blocks as you pull past.

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I never trust the Ebrake. I have had a few fail on either my truck or in the cars I was a passenger in. With a big ol boat on the back, I wouldnt do it. The manual would be really good for towing, yes, but I still have the issue with the Ebrake. Wheel chocks would help.

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CRAP!!! I hate that I forget to look at the date on the post before I reply to it. :facepalm:

Sorry