Im considering on buying a 5th wheel trailer that is 37ft long and weighs 12500 lbs. My question is will my 89 F250 5.8 tow this? I know the towing capacity is 8600 on it. But cmon its a 3/4 ton truck with a 10.25 rear axle so i cant see why not. Transmission is the C6. RV dealer said it would.

 

You need a diesel or a 460 with an automatic and 4.10 ratio to get to a 12,500lb tow rating. Since the only difference is the power it should physically do it but it's gonna be a dog. And if anyone ever checks the trailer VS the tow rating you'll be in some doo doo with Johnny Law.

Ford F-Series Fifth-Wheel Trailer Towing Selector


And do you really think the RV dealer knows or cares if your truck really can pull it? He can probably look it up but he just looks at the "F250" and says sure and waits for his commission check.

For a trailer that big you'll really wish you had a diesel anyway but if that's not within budget a 460 can be had cheap. Just don't plan on any long trips.

 

It will get it down the road, depending on your rear axle ratio, but you're going to hate every minute of it. It will be a dog. On top of that, though, it will be unsafe--you're talking about putting double the rated load on a 23 year old piece of rolling metal fatigue.

If you have a 3.55 rear ratio, don't even bother. The RV dealer wanted to move merchandise in a down economy--one that has hit their industry particularly hard.

Jason

 

A 12,500lbs 5th wheel is a BIG trailer, and you have to factor in MORE than just the weight. You also have to remember it is like pulling a PARACHUTE .
Another thing to consider is pin weight(how much weight will be on the trucks rear axle).

Just for giggles I looked up a reg cab F250 351 4.10 gear truck. The GCWR is 13,000lbs. That is Gross Combined Weight Rating. or also the TOTAL truck and trailer weight. I would venture to say your truck weights at LEAST 6,000. That means you would be over weight by 5,500lbs. I would like you to explain that to the DOT cop when he pulls you over.

A 460 truck has a GCWR of 16,000
And a diesel has a GCWR of 20,000

 

Are those last two for SRW F250 trucks? That 20,000 seems high for some reason

 

Depends on your laws there and make sure your brakes are top notch

 

All those numbers are actually for a 97. I dont have access to a 89. But I am sure the numbers are pretty close. And YES, SRW. My 97 F250 diesel, 4.10, 5 speed truck is rated for 20,000k and I use ALL of it

 

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I wouldn't risk it, that's a huge amount of weight. If I was going to pull something like that I'd be looking for a DRW diesel that's rated to pull it.

 

Yea gonna buy that much trailer you're gonna need more truck.

First time you tow it you'll regret right off buying that big/heavy of a camper, if you can't afford a heavier duty truck? Buy less camper so you can move it when needed.

If your gonna tow it 50 miles and leave it there for the summer, then go bring in home in the fall? you could get by with the truck you have. No way if intend regular road trip with it.

Our camper is 7 feet shorter (bumper pull), weighs 4500lbs less then that one and tow it with a 460 and 4.10 gears. I wouldn't want more weight behind me no way. Gas engine has limits even big gas engines.
I towed it once with the 351, again 4.10s to bring it home short distance when we bought it, while it could tow it wouldn't want to rely on it as only means do so.

I wouldn't consider one the size and weight that you're talking about without a diesel version to move it with.

Oh and that 12,500 that's its "dry weight" right? if it is and you think that's heavy? then just wait till your wife is done loading for a trip with anything and everything but the kitchen sink!

 

So how much weight do you think is suitable for a 351 3/4 ton truck? There are a few other 5th wheels

 

Roughly 8000 lbs give or take a couple hundred depending on if it's 4x4 or 4x2 if you have a 4.10 gear ratio so just under 2/3rds of what the trailer you asked about weighs.

 

Yea 8k be at the upper limit, naturally under that number be preferable.

Need to take into consideration how far intend to tow it and how often too thought.

Less often and shorter trips stand to have more weight, gonna travel the States get nearer the 6k mark.

Personal preference comes into play too, myself I'd tend travel lighter and faster over heavier and slower. I'm sure others feel different that "getting there is half the fun".

 

My 97 f250 hd 351with 4.10 gears has 272k miles. I pull a gooseneck horse trailer that fully loaded am at just under 10k just trailer weight. Pulled it from lubbock texas to sacramento ca only spending 395$ on gas when it was at 2.98 a gallon.

 

why can automatics pull more?