F250 late model tips

[Scott in Michigan]

Would anyone who is an owner of a late model F250 Super Duty want to share their tips and experience about using it as a tow vehicle? We have a 32RLI and a Curt 10K WD hitch.

I'm looking for ideas and tips to provide a pleasant and safe towing experience.

Tires, WD hitch setup, tool storage, ... ?

Next week it will be in the stable as our 'new' tow vehicle. 2016 model with 6.2L gas engine, 6 speed, 3.73 rear end, factory towing package.

I'm not trying to be evasive with details but I don't know what other pertinent data to share.

Scott & Gin

[Scott in Michigan]

And immediately after posting, I wonder if another forum thread would be more appropriate.

Maybe a mod could move it?

Sorry...

Scott

[DocP]

I can't help you with the F250 Super Duty part of your question, but can give you a heads-up on your Curt 10K WD hitch. The Cougar 32RLI has an unloaded tongue weight of about 1,165 pounds, before the propane tanks, battery, and cargo are loaded. Your Curt 10K WD hitch is for tongue weights up to 1,000 pounds. When I owned the Cougar 32RLI, I went with 1,400 pound bars on an Equalizer hitch.

[Logan X]

I have a 2017 F250, here are some of the things I have found helpful.

I use this locking hitch receiver pin. It is coded to my truck key so I don’t have to carry extra keys. I also have a couple of padlocks and a cable lock for my generator. I’ve been using these for several years and they work great. They are easy to set up to your truck key, you just insert your key and turn it and it is permanently coded to your key.

https://www.amazon.com/BOLT-7023585-Receiver-Lincoln-Rover/dp/B00OQPPO6K

As far as tool storage, I have a Weatherguard toolbox in the bed of the truck and I keep a decent amount of tools in there. All the basic stuff plus a socket set, impact wrench, electrical connections, straps, jack, first aid, torque wrench, etc.

This probably isn’t an issue for your 2016, but in 2017 and later models the spots on the receiver to attach the safety chains is difficult to use. They are too small. So I use two small shackles to attach the safety chains.

The tow/haul mode is a great feature to use when you are towing, it does a lot of the work for you. The tires which came with the truck should be adequate. You want to make sure they are at least load range E I believe.

Congratulations on your new truck!

[Number 4]

The tow/haul feature is awesome and has totally eliminated the "pucker factor" I used to have coming down mountainside switchback roads. Here is a good description of that feature.

To activate tow/haul, press the button on the end of the gearshift lever. The TOW HAUL indicator light will illuminate in the instrument cluster. Tow/haul delays upshifts to reduce frequency of transmission shifting. Tow/haul also provides engine braking in all forward gears when the transmission is in the D (Overdrive) position; this engine braking will slow the vehicle and assist the driver in controlling the vehicle when descending a grade. Depending on drivingconditions and load conditions, the transmission may downshift, slow the vehicle and control the vehicle speed when descending a hill, without the accelerator pedal being pressed. The amount of downshift braking provided will vary based upon the amount the brake pedal is pressed.

[sourdough]

I can't help you with the F250 Super Duty part of your question, but can give you a heads-up on your Curt 10K WD hitch. The Cougar 32RLI has an unloaded tongue weight of about 1,165 pounds, before the propane tanks, battery, and cargo are loaded. Your Curt 10K WD hitch is for tongue weights up to 1,000 pounds. When I owned the Cougar 32RLI, I went with 1,400 pound bars on an Equalizer hitch.


I agree with Doc. My gvw is 500 less than yours and I run a 14k Equalizer and it works well. I suspect the Curt is not only limited to 10k, but also 1k on the bars?? Also, check your payload and axle ratings. My 2500 has just shy of 3200lbs for a payload. It handles what I throw at it with a comfortable margin but if it was 2800 I would not be happy. Those numbers are on the stickers insid the driver door.

Tools? There are all kinds of them when using an RV. I carry a couple of different satchels in the RV and a tool box in the truck. I run the tanks empty 99% of the time, and after the recent split holding tank will probably do it 100% of the time going forward.

[Scott in Michigan]

This is awesome information. You are gentlemen, all.

Thank you for sharing and keep it coming.

Docp - thanks for bringing the Curt trunnion bar rating issue to my attention. I immediately called Curt and will get a pair of the proper trunnion bars headed this way from eTrailer. No thanks extended, however, to our RV dealer for setting me up that way last year.

Please keep the tips coming guys.

Scott & Gin

[Scott in Michigan]

LoganX - looking at the orderliness of your toolbox I'm going to guess that we must be related.

Also noted your medic bag tucked neatly to one side.

Scott
EMT-P

[sourdough]

This is awesome information. You are gentlemen, all.

Thank you for sharing and keep it coming.

Docp - thanks for bringing the Curt trunnion bar rating issue to my attention. I immediately called Curt and will get a pair of the proper trunnion bars headed this way from eTrailer. No thanks extended, however, to our RV dealer for setting me up that way last year.

Please keep the tips coming guys.

Scott & Gin


Check the hitch itself as well. Make sure the shank and attachments are rated 12-14k and not 10k.

[Scott in Michigan]

Sourdough - Thanks. The rep at Curt indicated the hitch assembly was the same for all and assumed the trunnion bar rating. Scott

[FlyingAroundRV]

Here's a tip for the truck itself. Take it to a dealer and get them to take the locking thing off the spare tire lowering gizmo (don't know the proper terminology). The thing is a PITA and if you lose the little doodad that goes on the jack handle to wind the spare tire down, the dealers can't help you with a replacement. The locking things are not made by Ford, but a third party and the dealers don't like to carry the sets of key things because they have to pay the third party company for them and they cost a lot of money. A dealer charged me $69 to remove mine. Getting a replacement (from a major dealer in Dallas) wasn't an option. I drove around for a while not knowing I had lost the key thing and if I had a flat tire it would have been a major drama out on the road to get the spare down.
Our truck is a 2015 model crew cab 2WD gasser 6.2L.

[slow]

I tow with a 2015 F250 gasser of same specs.

When approaching a hill to climb, lockout 5th and 6th gear manually rather than letting it down shift on its own late and all the way to 3rd. 4th will take you up most inclines. Use the small switch on the gear selector stick.

4th in head winds. The 6.2 likes to be above 2800 rpm and is quieter than when in 5th.

Suggested shackles makes chaining much easier as previously suggested.

[Stanimal]

I also have a 2016 F250/gas/6.2. It is a great tow vehicle. We pull a Keystone Cougar 27RLSWE, approx 9500 lbs. The factory tow package is great. I like that there are so many transmission options to use. I use the standard auto trans for flatland towing, manual shift mode for pulling through my soft pastures, tow mode only when descending long grades, and high gear lock out for certain long uphills and windy conditions. I also love that it is a flex fuel model. Propel fuel (ethanol) is about 70 cents cheaper than regular unleaded and is available in my local area. I get the same performance from the alternative fuel when towing.

[Scott in Michigan]

Stanimal, what kind of hitch do you use? Scott & Gin

[Eric363]

Scott, I have a 2011 f250 CCSB with a 6.7 powerstroke. I pull a 29BHS with a reese stedi-flex WD hitch with 1400lbs bars. With a half tank of water, propane, and battery the tongue weight was 1100lbs. It is my first setup and with 5000 miles across the country and back it pulls very smooth. No sway across the great plains! I have bridgestone all-terrain t/a ko2 LT265/75/18 load e. They were new before the cross trip and with 6000 towing miles and 10000ish total the seam to be wearing nicely. The 250 pulls everything great. Biggest complaint is the fuel tank, mine was 26 gallons. I put in a titan 50 gallon replacement tank and wish I did it sooner.

[Frisbeekev]

Would anyone who is an owner of a late model F250 Super Duty want to share their tips and experience about using it as a tow vehicle? We have a 32RLI and a Curt 10K WD hitch.

I'm looking for ideas and tips to provide a pleasant and safe towing experience.

Tires, WD hitch setup, tool storage, ... ?

Next week it will be in the stable as our 'new' tow vehicle. 2016 model with 6.2L gas engine, 6 speed, 3.73 rear end, factory towing package.

I'm not trying to be evasive with details but I don't know what other pertinent data to share.

Scott & Gin

I have the same truck as you 2016 f250 6.2 with 3:73 gears. I tow a 33 ft keystone passport 2920bh about 7000lbs dry weight. Tows like a dream. Like others I would recommend a WD hitch (14000LBS). Always check the air pressure in your truck and trailer tires. Also check the lug nuts on the camper wheels. As for tools, I have a cover on the bed of the truck so I use 2 undercover swingcases for each side of the bed. One for some tools and one for racthets bungees, and hitch pins. (They are lockable and removable). I also have a small toolbox that fits under my cover from tractor supply. I keep my tools and roadside equipment in it. It is able to be removed to haul larger items when needed in the truck.