I know you have probally covered this but we recently purchased a 37' Sundowner w/ 8' LQ and cargo area of 20' L.W. (29' on the floor)

I have searched your site but can't find whether or not it is legal for me or my wife to pull this thing (18,750 GVWR) with our '04 F-350 SRW C.C. 6.0 PS (9,900 GVWR) without a CDL Class A in Iowa or any other state. I have searched federal and state websites and the only thing that is clear is that if you aren't hauling anything for profit or to gain a profit, we'll be fine. Then there's a question if we should get the (units) inspected since there was a new law passed about the combination?

Your truck is 4x4 has a towing capcity of 12,700#'s and 13,100 for 4x2. The Gross Combined Weight Rating is 20,000, subtract that from your curb weight is the towing weight. Ford increased it dramaticly in 2005. So no you can't legally tow 18,750 and could get a fine for it or worse if in an accident. CDL laws are suppose to be equal in all states but induvidual states have other laws that make it confusing. If you had a RV trailer, you would be hasseled less even though a LQ horse trailer is considered an RV. Some states will still pull you over and want to see a class A license and log book as if you were commercial.

Mr Truck, I also have an '04 F350 4x4 CC, but it's a dually w/ 4.10 gears. I'm buying a Pace 36' enclosed gooseneck to haul my household goods to Alaska this summer. The trailer has a dry weight of 6000#. Both are my Privately Owned Vehicles and I'm not hauling for commercial purposes. A few questions:

1. How much can I haul in the trailer? You said that in '05, Ford increased the towing weight dramatically. Was that a paperwork thing, or did they make mods to the engine and tranny to allow more weight? In other words, what's the most my truck can handle aside from legality issues?

2. Do I have to stop at all weigh stations, even though I'm not a commercial vehicle and have personal plates?

3. Will adding a "Superchip" program to the truck help on fuel, towing etc?

4. What's the GVWR for the '05 F350 with the same set-up? 16,100?

5. Am I better off selling the '04 and picking up an '05 to avoid any issues?

Thanks,

Jas

Flyjasfly, Ford did make structural changes in 05, from thicker frame, wheels and axle tubes to frame gussets and springs. My 05 review is at http://www.mrtruck.net/ford05sd.htm

1. 12,400 lb trailer capacity with auto diesel. You Combined rating is 20,000 also. To understand how this works, we know with duals and lower axle ratio you should be able to tow more than a single rear wheel truck, but anything that adds weight to the truck is subtracted from the trailer capacity and the gross combined weight rating stays the same. So in some cases a regular cab gas engine will have a higher trailer capacity because the truck weighs less.

2. If you are not hauling for hire, I would not stop at the ports. Some states want all trailer to stop at ports, so that's your decision.

3. Yes Superchips and Edge can improve your fuel ecomony. But only 1 to 2 mpg. So the primary reason to get a programer or downloader is for more power.

4. It's 15,600 for 4x4

5. Are you going to haul more than 6000 lbs in the trailer?

I planned to haul approximately 10,000#. When I bought the truck, I thought it had a tow rating of around 16,000# and figured that would ne good for what I needed.

My trip is about 4800 miles and I don't plan to go faster than 55 on the interstate between Massachusetts and Montana and probably an average speed of 40-45 on the AlCan Highway.

I don't want to ruin my engine/tranny in the process though. So, should I sell the '04 and go with an '05? Thanks.

Jas

04-06 have the same engine and transmission. Going to 05 just makes you more legal if you end up at a weigh station or an accident.