An Odd Ford F250 Failure On The Way To The Ike Gauntlet Towing Test (Part 1)

2017 ford f250 gas v8 fail
2017 Ford F250 XL: 6.2L V8

This is the part 1 of the 2017 Ford F250 XL extreme towing test on the Ike Gauntlet™. We loaded the Ford with nearly identical load as we did with the Ram 2500 HD (tested a few weeks back). The water tote strapped inside the 8-foot bed, and a flat-bed trailer with Mr Truck’s 2012 F-250 crew cab 4×4 in tow. The total weight is right at the maximum rating of 19,500 lbs.

We were heading west on our way up I-70 towards the Ike Gauntlet extreme towing test (Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial tunnels at the Continental Divide). We heard a loud bang as if we hit something with one of the tires. However, there was no obstacle, but we saw a few black bits flying behind us. Our first thought was a flat tire, then we saw a trail of fluid behind.  We were in the right lane, and we were able to pull over to the side very quickly.

It was not a flat tire. A look under the hood revealed at broken cooling fan and a partially missing serpentine belt. The broken pieces of the fan punctured the radiator from the inside.

Nobody was hurt. We were able to quickly get a tow truck for the 2017 F250, and tow the trailer back to the HQ with Mr Truck’s older F-250.

Ford is working to fix the truck, and we are eager to get it back on the highway to complete the Ike Gauntlet.

Andre Smirnov
Andre Smirnov is an Automotive Enthusiast, Producer, Reviewer, Videographer, Writer, Software Engineer, Husband, Father, and Friend.