Ford f-350

[Old Goat]

HI
I have just recently purchased a new 2009 Cardinal 38BHQS trailer and 2008 F350 SRW Harley Davidson Edition truck. I live in Lethbridge, Alberta and am planning a trip in July to Tifino B.C. on Vancouver Island. My question is can anyone tell me if the f350 has enough braking power to handle the trip through the mountains.

Thanks
Rob

[bigbunkhouse]

The truck and trailer TOGETHER will have pleanty! Use the tow haul in the tranny and let the engine do alot of the braking but as long as you don't overheat the brakes by riding them for miles at a time you will be fine. Make sure that everything is adjusted properly from the trailer brakes to the controller and take it easy

[Rob & Cathy]

HI
I have just recently purchased a new 2009 Cardinal 38BHQS trailer and 2008 F350 SRW Harley Davidson Edition truck.

SWEET!!!!

Vancouver Island in a great place. We've done a lot of scuba diving on the island from Port Hardy to Sidney.

Rob

[Olbird]

You should have no problems, my Cardinal is just a little shorter then yours at 39' 7" and I pulled it for over two years with a F350 SRW and had no problems.
You could always have a problem under certain conditions when pulling any trailer that is heavier then the TV. You have two very nice rigs take your time and enjoy your trip.

[PaulandTammy]

Bigbunkhouse hit the nail on the head. As long as your controller is adjusted properly you should be fine. In a perfect world the tow vehicle brakes stop the tow vehicle and the trailer brakes stop the trailer and should lead the tow vehicle brakes. Good luck.

[Old Goat]

THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO!!
R0b

[Chief409]

Use the Tow/Haul mode, keep an eye on the transmission and engine temp on long hard climbs, and never go down a steep hill fast. The old trucker rule of thumb is use the same gear going down as you used going up. To control the speed I apply the brakes hard enough to slow me down and then let the tranny hold the speed until more braking is required. With the disk brakes on all four corners of the F350 fade isn't as much a concern as it was with drum brakes, but I learned with drum brakes, and you also get better pad/disk life by letting things cool. And your trailer has drum brakes, so riding the brakes will cause you to end up with only the truck brakes when the trailer brakes fade out. I also apply the brakes briefly before cresting the top starting a steep downgrade as a brake check. If it doesn't feel right I stop then and recheck everything before going down the hill. My Dad didn't think that a doing a brake check was necessary when he owned and drove log trucks, but that's a long story. Short version, he lived. And sold the log trucks.

It sounds like you're going on a great trip. Keep us posted on how things are going.

[Heat84]

I was wondering with the F 350 when towing do you tow in overdrive with the tow mode on or in 3 with the tow mod on??
And do you fine any difference in gas miles. Early last year I was getting 9.6 to 10.0,11 at times miles to a gal , Late in the year I got 12.6 miles. This year it's to soon to tell we havn'e been out yet. I usually put the tranmission in overdrive with tow mod , So I was wondering what others do. ?? ? ?
Thank you

HI
I have just recently purchased a new 2009 Cardinal 38BHQS trailer and 2008 F350 SRW Harley Davidson Edition truck. I live in Lethbridge, Alberta and am planning a trip in July to Tifino B.C. on Vancouver Island. My question is can anyone tell me if the f350 has enough braking power to handle the trip through the mountains.

Thanks
Rob

[Rob & Cathy]

I was wondering with the F 350 when towing do you tow in overdrive with the tow mode on or in 3 with the tow mod on?

Hi Mike

With the Torque Shift transmission just leave it in overdrive and let the transmission and computer do their thing. It won't hunt in an out of overdrive like an older truck or car transmission would do.

Rob

[Chief409]

I leave it in Tow/Haul and Drive always with the 'Bird on the hitch.