2002 Ford 350 5.4L dually dump towing

[aerodan1]

GVWR should be 13,500, not GCWR. 14k and under (to 10001) is a class 3 truck. Over 14k and it's a class 4 or higher truck (not sure the upper number on a class 4).

GVWR is the total weight on the truck. GCWR is the total weight of truck and trailer combined.

You should have no trouble pulling a load of 10k (assuming your dump bed isn't loaded with 2 tons of stuff). As 4570Man said, don't expect to go fast, but that Super Duty will tow 10k lbs all day long.

Thanks. I'll have to check the label when I pick it up later this week to get the GVWR, it's not listed in the manual it appears. I'm with you - it's a freakin' dually dump truck, it should be able to tow a 35 hp TLB and trailer no problem! I didn't research it enough until after I had bought it, but now can appreciate the huge difference just from V8 to V10 engine alone, let alone diesel. I got a good deal so if I have to flip it I think I'd still come out ahead.

 

[aerodan1]

Id be surprised the GCWR is only 13500, my dually door tag says 15000 for the truck alone... Ive grossed 24k (overloaded, but made the trip safely, cautiously) with my f250 and 20' deckover.

The truck chassis can handle it. It will be slow, and the high gears will hurt you... Im surprised its not 4.10's, most duallys are. If you have 4x4, dont be shy about dropping the transfer case into low range if you are on steep hills or slow speed tight spots. I often do that, better control and saves trans stress. Trans is the weak spot, add an extra cooler.

Thanks, yep was bummed out when I got home and ran the VIN and saw only 3.73 gears, oh well. It's only 2wd also, but appreciate the helpful tip nonetheless.

 

[aerodan1]

It's a pretty conservative tow rating. I've got a F-350 crew cab, single rear wheel, 5.4 with unknown gears. It handles my GN weighing 11,000 pounds fine. Just don't expect to go fast. If you wanted to do that you should've gotten a 6.8 with 4.10 gears. I'm guessing that truck is over 5,900 pounds. I've hauled quite a bit of rock with a similar truck. It was a Chevy 3500 6.5 diesel dump truck. It had hydraulic dump and steel sideboards. It weighed about 7,500. If your go by the door sticker my F-450 7,3 diesel rollback had less hauling capacity than my 1/2 ton.

Thanks, good to know the listed specs may not be all that helpful, possibly in my situation as well. The same truck as mine except with single rear wheel has a 400 pound higher towing capacity (same GCWR) due to less curb weight.

 

[aerodan1]

I have the same color of truck. 87 idi 7.3 c6 trans, but with 4.10 gears. Slow but sure. The 1996 7.3 is turbo with auto/od and 4.10 gears. You have good everything but I believe with the small engine and tall gears you will be wanting with the weight of your trailer/tractor.

Nice set up, the 7.3 is a great motor to have. I accelerate slowly and gently with any load, so the driving style is not a problem, but I agree I don't have a great set up, adequate maybe, but also more wear and tear on the truck.

 

[4570Man]

I think you'll be happy with it. A dump truck is an incredibly useful tool. I'll take my old low tow rating F-350 for towing over any modern 1/2 ton with a higher tow rating. I'll also take a 6.8 over a similarly rated turbocharged V-6. The gas motors are a lot cheaper than the diesel 7.3s. I wouldn't be surprised if a 6.8 would out run a 7.3 especially the early ones. Once the V10 stops for gas the 7.3 will pass it for sure.

 

[fordmantpw]

Thanks. I'll have to check the label when I pick it up later this week to get the GVWR, it's not listed in the manual it appears. I'm with you - it's a freakin' dually dump truck, it should be able to tow a 35 hp TLB and trailer no problem! I didn't research it enough until after I had bought it, but now can appreciate the huge difference just from V8 to V10 engine alone, let alone diesel. I got a good deal so if I have to flip it I think I'd still come out ahead.

Well, I may be off on my numbers. Things have sure changed a LOT since 2002. Here are a couple docs for you:

Payload/Weight Ratings
Tow Ratings

It looks like GVWR is 11,200 and it does look like GCWR is 13.5k. I find that hard to believe with a GVWR of 11,200.

Still, it's a Super Duty dually. I wouldn't hesitate to put 10k behind it as long as the dump box was empty and as long as you aren't going on long freeway drives.

 

[terryknight]

Nice looking set up you have there! My dad had the 7.3 diesel in an F450 dump that I drove for years, I was spoiled! I think it was geared lower though, I remember it wasn't too great at highway speeds.

the 450s came with lower gears from Ford i'm thinking 4.88s were standard

Thanks, yep was bummed out when I got home and ran the VIN and saw only 3.73 gears, oh well. It's only 2wd also, but appreciate the helpful tip nonetheless.

it might be easier to swap in lower gears than selling and buying a new one.

my father just sold (yesterday) the dump i pictured for $12K. very clean, completely stock, 111K miles, sat for months with no one looking.

 

[newbury]

Well, I may be off on my numbers. Things have sure changed a LOT since 2002. Here are a couple docs for you:

Payload/Weight Ratings
Tow Ratings

It looks like GVWR is 11,200 and it does look like GCWR is 13.5k. I find that hard to believe with a GVWR of 11,200.

Still, it's a Super Duty dually. I wouldn't hesitate to put 10k behind it as long as the dump box was empty and as long as you aren't going on long freeway drives.

And remember, there are many things going on here.
Pulling is one thing, stopping is another.
Manufacturer ratings mean diddly in the real world if you need to get something done you can always overload. If you have an accident and are sued then they can always bring up you were overloaded.

My stock 2002 7.3 dually pulls a loaded 12K trailer with ease and that's it's max rating.

I need to drop 1.5 tons in the bed for the truck to be level.

I think Ford rated it's trucks very conservatively, possibly so they didn't cut into 450/550 sales.

My VW Jetta TDI is only rated to tow 1,000 lbs in the US, in Germany the same build is rated for 2,000 lbs.

 

[jack707]

If you have the money I would change the engine and the gears in the backend.

 

[4570Man]

Even if he's rich that wouldn't make sense. He'd be better off to sell it and buy another truck.