ratdude747 Posted October 7, 2021 Author Share Posted October 7, 2021 Let’s see, 6700 lbs going in and 6000 going out, so you had a 700 lb load on the trailer. And since the trailer weighs 1700 lbs the truck must weigh 4300 lbs. Right? And you “noticed” the ~10% change? I think you’ve proven that you shouldn’t be pulling that crew cab, which is ~10 times heavier than today’s load. Doing some math, 4300 + 6400 + 1700 = 12,400. That’s more than what Big Blue is rated for, although I wouldn’t worry about doing it. But that’s not the kind of thing you’d want to do with a light F150 w/a 300 and AOD. That’s the kind of load a crew cab w/a 460 would be good for. 😉 I didn't notice the 700lbs. I did notice the trailer itself! Loaded vs unloaded little to no difference. most of the weight was in the bed; the trailer had rotten exhausts, and the trashed/consumed body parts resulting from the deer incident, to include the rotten remains of the core support. Bulky but light. The bed had brackets and all the other steel scrap I was storing that the city discovered and issued me a notice over ("garbage, to include auto parts, on your property"). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratdude747 Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 I didn't notice the 700lbs. I did notice the trailer itself! Loaded vs unloaded little to no difference. most of the weight was in the bed; the trailer had rotten exhausts, and the trashed/consumed body parts resulting from the deer incident, to include the rotten remains of the core support. Bulky but light. The bed had brackets and all the other steel scrap I was storing that the city discovered and issued me a notice over ("garbage, to include auto parts, on your property"). An update: Somebody gave her a better offer than I could... so I'm calling it dead. Shame, but it wasn't meant to be. She hasn't sold it yet... but to match/beat that offer would blow my budget, especially when shipping is involved. Oh well. It wasn't meant to be. At least I saved it from going to a $500 scrapper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 Bill/85lebaront2 said this: "Darth is a 2WD crew cab DRW truck and empty weight on a certified scale a couple of years ago was 6400 lbs." And the '79 is probably a bit heavier, although maybe not if it is SRW instead of DRW. On the other hand, Scott/Welderscott has had his '78 F150 over several times and his tie rods are the equivalent of Big Blue's tie rods. In other words, the '79 and earlier trucks were heavier built than the '80 and later trucks, so have to weigh more. When you subtract the 1700 from 7000 you get 5300, and that means you'd be 15 - 20% overloaded on the trailer. But there is also the question of length. The Bullnose crewcabs have a wheelbase of 168.4", so I assume the '79 does as well. Can your trailer handle that? As for your truck, here's a page from the '85 owner's manual on towing. See the note about an F150 w/a 4.9L and AOD requiring the trailer towing package for towing even 2000 lbs. Does your trailer have brakes? Does your truck have a brake controller? Bottom Line: Your trailer and your truck are not spec'd to do it. Can it be done? Probably. Will you have problems? Maybe. But you would be past the limits all the way around. A couple of tidbits, they do make tow dollies with brakes, I have one, second in 1975-1979 the F150 was essentially a downrated F250 according to my towing specialist. The F150 an D150 were both 250s downrated with somewhat lighter running gear. The Chevy and GMC "heavy half" models simply had bigger springs and the optional brakes. This was from a guy who has a bow tie branded on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 An update: Somebody gave her a better offer than I could... so I'm calling it dead. Shame, but it wasn't meant to be. She hasn't sold it yet... but to match/beat that offer would blow my budget, especially when shipping is involved. Oh well. It wasn't meant to be. At least I saved it from going to a $500 scrapper! You may be better off. I know that's not what you wanted to have happen, but it might have been a major struggle to get it going - and a major expense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratdude747 Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 You may be better off. I know that's not what you wanted to have happen, but it might have been a major struggle to get it going - and a major expense. Yes. There's some family drama tied up in this (not the ones with the F350!), but here isn't the place to post it. Sitting on my hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 Yes. There's some family drama tied up in this (not the ones with the F350!), but here isn't the place to post it. Sitting on my hands. I'd let things play out and see what happens. You might win, but you won't lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratdude747 Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 I'd let things play out and see what happens. You might win, but you won't lose. She's dead. The drama is a previously supportive FIL charging opinions (on the project) and is now shaming me for not having a "reliable family vehicle". I.E my two trucks are old and my wife's van is junk... And I can't have (or invest in) any more projects until I fix that. He has a point. That said, my wife is happy, and I make a point to ensure at least one truck is travel ready. She's driven both and is ok with the arrangement, (take a truck if going out of town), but her daddy ain't happy, and that wrecks everything. I'll guess I'll keep my eyes open for a deal on some boring grocery getter... So far nothing to be had that's not out of budget or a pig in a poke like the van I already have. (I hope that's not too personal... I have some other choice words but that's not in the spirit or rules of this forum). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 She's dead. The drama is a previously supportive FIL charging opinions (on the project) and is now shaming me for not having a "reliable family vehicle". I.E my two trucks are old and my wife's van is junk... And I can't have (or invest in) any more projects until I fix that. He has a point. That said, my wife is happy, and I make a point to ensure at least one truck is travel ready. She's driven both and is ok with the arrangement, (take a truck if going out of town), but her daddy ain't happy, and that wrecks everything. I'll guess I'll keep my eyes open for a deal on some boring grocery getter... So far nothing to be had that's not out of budget or a pig in a poke like the van I already have. (I hope that's not too personal... I have some other choice words but that's not in the spirit or rules of this forum). That does sound like drama. Not fun. Hang in there. As for a "pig in a poke", that evokes memories of a European Vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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