buying our first truck to tow

[Eagle]

Jimbo My kid with a 4x4 put in an ARB Air Locker. Worked like a charm but has since traded vehicles.

https://www.4wheelparts.com/b/drivet...-cm4j1Z1z12do2

[JimboFunFinder]

IMHO, the ARB makes sense in a vehicle intended for rock crawling or serious 4-wheeling where a wheel might leave the ground. I hope all the wheels remain in contact with the ground when I am towing! The Trutrac was half the cost of the ARB, it is always active and is maintenance free since there are no clutches to wear. It is really "two wheel drive", not one wheel that wants to spin. Here it is:https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/catal...ferential.html I have had my share of limited slip differentials which seemed to always need rebuilding because they would slip when I needed traction. Other friends have used harsh engaging lockers which exhibit the ratchet noise around turns.

[RipVan]

Originally Posted by JimboFunFinder

Thought I would report on our experience. I bought the truck before the trailer as the truck sets the maximum towable weight. When the kids were growing up we had either gas powered trucks or a Chevy Burb. Once retired I wanted a big truck which would take us anywhere we wanted to go. I found a one-owner 2003 F250 7.3L PSD RWD crewcab longbed and added a matching shell. The GVWR is 20,000 lbs. Then we bought the FunFinder. After getting the truck stuck a couple of times (without the trailer) and having tire spin in some steep camping locations, I added an Eaton Detroit Truetrac differential. "The Detroit Truetrac is a helical-gear style, limited-slip differential that maximizes wheel traction and enhances driving characteristics." Now I can go anywhere I want and never experience wheel spin when pulling the trailer.

We just returned from an eight state vacation that took us 9000 miles and 100 days. We had no major issues with the truck or trailer. FYI, we get 11 mpg when towing and 15/16 when not.

Well, I know that some folks really think that their FORDs are special but I'm sure that you meant that the GCombinedVWR is 20,000lbs . For the '03 model year I'm guessing that the GVWR for that truck was 9,000lbs (at most 10,000lbs)!
RE: getting stuck and/or experiencing wheel spin, that is an issue for PUs due to the relative imbalance of weight over the rear wheels. (Another reason for 4 wd ). I've lost traction on wet grass with no load on flat terrain
RipVan

[JimboFunFinder]

Sorry, yes I meant combined the GCWR is 20,000 lbs. My truck is supposedly around 6300 lbs dry. I have seen too many of the 01-03 Fords pulling large 5th wheels and I figure they must be exceeding their GCWR when loaded with all their camping stuff.