I have just bought a 2006 F-250 Super Duty with the 6.0 liter turbo diesel, extended cab, short box, factory tow package, 3.73 limited slip axle and LT 265/7OR17E tires. Can I pull my 24' dual axle enclosed auto transport trailer with a max gross of 7700 lbs?

The manual says no, max towing capacity is 5000 lbs, but the GCVW is 23,000 lbs (we're well under that) and I find different numbers on the internet ranging from the 5000 lbs in the manual to 8600 lbs, to 9500 lbs, to 15,000 lbs.

 

Are you sure you're not mixing up payload and towing? A Ranger can tow 5,000 pounds....

According to the 2006 Ford Fleet guide, your truck should be good for 12,500 pounds with conventional towing. Fifth wheel brings that up to 16,000 pounds

 

I believe if you have somebody read the manual to you, he or she will explain that conventionally towing trailers exceeding 6,000 lbs. or 600 lbs tongue weight requires an equalizing hitch.

The towing specifications for 6.0 Powerstrokes are in the Diesel Supplement tpo the Owner's Guide.

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../0660l6d3e.pdf

Please figure it out before driving on public roads!

 

You will be fine with a weight distributing (equalizing) hitch.

 

OK, thanks for the replys guys. I see in the manual supplement for the diesel that the Max trailer weight with the weight distributing hitch goes up to 12,500 lbs, so I need to get an equalizing hitch.

Now, what would the forum recommend for that hitch? I see a dealer for Equal-i-zer Hitch closeby.

Thanks again all!

 

I believe what you are reading are the ratings for the factory receiver hitch, which are 5000 lbs with a standard hitch and 12500 lbs with a weight distribution hitch. So, with your trailer of 7700 lbs, you should technically be using a WDH.

However, I will say that I don't think I have ever actually seen anyone using a WDH on anything other than a camper trailer. I see tons of contractors every day pulling around their skid loaders and other equipment and none of them are using a WDH.

 

Yes, I would recommend a WDH. Even if you don't really need it, (which technically you do) your trailer will pull much better with it.

 

You believe? Why don't you read instead? The FORD MANUAL states a trailer weight over 6,000 lbs. or 600 lbs. tongue weight requires a weight distributing hitch for a 2006 F250 6.0. I posted the manual.

THE 2006 F250 OWNER'S MANUAL REFERS TO THE DIESEL SUPPLEMENT FOR CORRECT TRAILER TOWING DATA IF THE TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL ENGINE.

 

The e-qua-lizer 4 way is an awesome hitch. i had the old style chain hitch befofe and replaced it with the equalizer and it is a much smoother ride.

 

Well, I didn't feel like downloading a file I don't need because I don't have a diesel. I was simply referring to the ratings of the hitch.
However, I will ask this.....Do the diesels have a different hitch than the gassers? Mine is clearly marked as 5000 lbs without a WDH. Or was this a change from 2005 to 2006?

 

can someone post a pic of this fancy hitch so i know what i am looking for? thanks

 

Why don't you read the file you didn't bother to download?

If you bothered to read my post you'd know the weight ratings are different per the owner's manual.

When downloading and reading an already linked file is more difficult than crawling under the wrong truck to take a picture and uploading it to the internet, it says something about our educational system.

 

It's there on your truck!

Sticker is on far left side adjacent to 7/4 pin connections

 

Wow, you sound like a royal A** or an engineer or something .

I will say this to the OP though, if your unsure of towing weights like these you probrably shouldn't have bought a diesel or even a SD. The diesel fad strikes again, overkill..................Sorry man jmo.

 

I didn't need to read it to understand that the tow rating of a diesel is higher. My question was specific to the hitch itself.

Do the diesel trucks have a hitch with a higher rating, or is it the same one that is on the gas trucks? If it's the same one, you would still be limited to the rating of the hitch, even if the truck's tow rating is higher.