goose neck trailer hitch question

[Soundguy]

I thought you got a F-450? That is more than a 1 ton.

Chris

It is a f450.. but I don't actually know what rear it would have. I asked a local mechanic and he said it would be at least a 1 ton.. but didn't know anything from there.

it's a 99 f450 with 4.88 rear numbers on the door plate match the rear end tag I found on the pumpkin.. do you know how I can tell what rear it has?

thanks.

soundguy

 

[Iplayfarmer]

OK, so is $2 for a toilet plunger too much to re-balance the equation ?
(-:
I can understand the "toilet" aspect of it, but for a little more money there are also pairs of bright sticks with magnets on the bottom for hooking up tag-alongs.
One on the ball, one on the top of the coupler, tall enough to see over the tailgate.
Inside mirror, stop just when the one on the ball topples.

I think they're $15 to $25, in any case a lot cheaper than converting from goose to 5th.
Now THAT is an equation that is easy to understand (-:

If I was smart I suppose I'd figure something like that out. For now I'm teaching my 8-year-old daughter how to guide me back.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It is a f450.. but I don't actually know what rear it would have. I asked a local mechanic and he said it would be at least a 1 ton.. but didn't know anything from there.

it's a 99 f450 with 4.88 rear numbers on the door plate match the rear end tag I found on the pumpkin.. do you know how I can tell what rear it has?

thanks.

soundguy

I have never seen a F-350 with anything lower than a 4.30 gear. The 4.88 is F-450 and F-550 territory. I would say its a 1.5 ton truck. What is the GVWR? The heaviest I have seen a F-350 was around 13,000#

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

It's parked out in the barn.. I'll have to look in the am.. to far to walk in me evening attire..

nice.. even heavier than I was expecting ( as I was only expecting to get a 1 ton truck..etc. )

soundguy

 

[aczlan]

If I was smart I suppose I'd figure something like that out. For now I'm teaching my 8-year-old daughter how to guide me back.

Good plan, I think that everyone should be able to guide in a vehicle and (if need be) a trailer.

Aaron Z

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Good plan, I think that everyone should be able to guide in a vehicle and (if need be) a trailer.

Aaron Z

I've also started her trailer backing skills with a lawn mower and dump cart. She can back a short distance, but she needs practice.

Everyone should be able to back a trailer.

 

[Soundguy]

and that's the hard way.. I've always found that backing a short trailer is harder than a long one. I can back my 16' flatbed or 25' gooseneck way easier than my 2 horse bumperpull trailer.

In trying to teach my wife I try to use the hand on the bottom of the wheel technique.. IE.. hand on the inside bottom of the steering wheel, and eyes on the mirrors, and turn the wheel in the direction you want the rear of the traielr to go to.. ( still working on it with her.. )

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

I have never seen a F-350 with anything lower than a 4.30 gear. The 4.88 is F-450 and F-550 territory. I would say its a 1.5 ton truck. What is the GVWR? The heaviest I have seen a F-350 was around 13,000#

Chris

it was a lil dark int he barn this am.. but looke dlike the tag said 15000#

soundguy

 

[Iplayfarmer]

... I've always found that backing a short trailer is harder than a long one. I can back my 16' flatbed or 25' gooseneck way easier than my 2 horse bumperpull trailer.

NO KIDDING!!

I rented a trencher once and the trailer was about 6 feet long. I couldn't see it behind my extended cab long bed truck, and there was just no backing that thing up.

I remember fondly the first time I backed a tractor trailer with a 50' trailer on it. I could put that thing anywhere I wanted it on the first try.

 

[aczlan]

and that's the hard way.. I've always found that backing a short trailer is harder than a long one. I can back my 16' flatbed or 25' gooseneck way easier than my 2 horse bumperpull trailer.

I agree, the longer the distance between the back axle of the tow vehicle and the trailer axle(s) the easier it is to back the trailer up.

Aaron Z

 

[Diamondpilot]

it was a lil dark int he barn this am.. but looke dlike the tag said 15000#

soundguy

Yep, that is a big dog. F-350's of that era were around 12,500# to 13,000# if I remember correctly. You have a F-450 for sure.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

NO KIDDING!!

I rented a trencher once and the trailer was about 6 feet long. I couldn't see it behind my extended cab long bed truck, and there was just no backing that thing up.

I remember fondly the first time I backed a tractor trailer with a 50' trailer on it. I could put that thing anywhere I wanted it on the first try.

I hear ya. I used to hate backing up our old pull behind log splitter and the Jet Ski I had back in the 90's. By the time you saw it you were screwed.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

Yep, that is a big dog. F-350's of that era were around 12,500# to 13,000# if I remember correctly. You have a F-450 for sure.

Chris

yep.. door stickers and sheet metal plaques all indicate 450 as well as the title.

ins co had to insure it as a 350, but witht he correct vin.. as the 450 that came up on the vin was cab/chassie, and I had to explain that it had a bed and send in pics..

Good to hear It's got a heavier rear end.. makes me feel better and better about towing with it. I like that truck more and more every day.

I used to have ( still have but don't use ).. a 4x8 trailer for a lawnmower.. same deal.. up the creek by the time you saw it out the side mirror.

soundguy

 

[77bronco]

It is a f450.. but I don't actually know what rear it would have. I asked a local mechanic and he said it would be at least a 1 ton.. but didn't know anything from there.

it's a 99 f450 with 4.88 rear numbers on the door plate match the rear end tag I found on the pumpkin.. do you know how I can tell what rear it has?

thanks.

soundguy

If you check this link, it will decode your VIN and tell you which axle you have in the rear of your truck. I think the F-450 had a Dana 110, but not 100% sure.

VIN Number Decoder offer to you by Ford Trucks Enthusiasts | www.ford-trucks.com

 

[Soundguy]

thanks

I forsee me running out to the barn at midnight when I get off work.


soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

If you check this link, it will decode your VIN and tell you which axle you have in the rear of your truck. I think the F-450 had a Dana 110, but not 100% sure.

VIN Number Decoder offer to you by Ford Trucks Enthusiasts | www.ford-trucks.com

forgot I had my ins card in my wallet.

decoded it.. but didn't tell me anything.

IE.. said f450 drw, cab/chassie, 7.3l di turbo, airbags.. etc.. ford... usa.. class iv brakes and a seq # of E66647 ( not sure what that is..)

soundguy

 

[77bronco]

I had thought the VIN gave the axle info, but I guess the door tag is the one that has the codes listed.
The sequence number is the one that tells you when yours was built. Example A00001 would be the first one made for that model year.

 

[Soundguy]

got ya.

I can get the axle code from the door.. then right/

anyone know how to decode it?

I already know it's a 4.88 rear as I read the codes from the door tag for that.. and then crawled under the truck to see what the tag on the rear end said ( it matched )..

soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

got ya.

I can get the axle code from the door.. then right/

anyone know how to decode it?

I already know it's a 4.88 rear as I read the codes from the door tag for that.. and then crawled under the truck to see what the tag on the rear end said ( it matched )..

soundguy

On most Fords the axle code will be 2 digits. If its a letter first its Limited Slip. Example: D5 If its just 2 numbers its non LS. Example: 36

Take that info to the web and you can find the axle rating and gear ratio by using that code. Here are a few sites.

What is my Ford rear end ratio, do I have positraction - Drivetrain.com

Ford Axle Code Chart .: Articles

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

thanks

soundguy