Not me either, that's why I chose my XLR 395.

 

Most of those towing big trailers are over the GCVWR - certainly ones over 16k on an SRW are over.

Some folks on this forum hold passionately that you must be under all of the safety numbers, some with equal passion say only the tire ratings matter, and many are in between. Personally, I view the ratings in the following priority: tire, axle, GVWR, max trailer, max cross section, and GCVWR.

 

I'm not concerned with GCWR but if I was, I'd still be under up to a 16k trailer. Not sure where your 10k number comes from? As to the rating thing, the reason many of us are only concerned with axle and tire ratings is they are the only ones that are legally considered where weight is concerned...

 

DOT cares about tires, axles, and registration in that order.

 

Sorry about that; I meant to say 16K. I'll edit my post.

I think 2016 has the highest GCVWR so far for the SRW at 23,500. With a 16K trailer, you have only 7,500 for the truck, hitch, passengers, etc - thus you'd be over with a 16K trailer and way over with many of the trailers listed here.

Again, from my perspective, this is the least important of the numbers to me. I think the cross section and GCVWR are more related to warranty than they are to safety. Keep in mind that the whole rig is a very complex system though. If you have to swerve on an curve on a crowned road, with bumps on the road, while braking, with your tanks sloshing around, etc. there are a lot of forces at play. It's possible that Ford has run complicated models to come up with the GCVWR, hard to say. I'd like to think that a room full of engineers make the decision, but I suspect lawyers, marketing, and warranty experts may have more say.

I may end up with an F450 like Rodney ordered. In that case, I don't have to worry about any number other that the 26,000 lb GCVWR limit on my class c license

 

Hard to say is right and I've never read it explained either. Oh, and you're likely right. Maybe it is 23.5k. I was thinking it was 24.5k but probably wrong. I haven't looked it up since 2012 when I decided it didn't much matter...LOL...

As to the 26k limit, I don't have that in my state so I'm lucky there. MA has a 26k limit for class D but it specifically doesn't apply to RV's. And, since other states honor your home states law on this particular issue, I'm in the clear...

 

That's nice. It took significant effort to find out the law in MD. MVA, State Police, etc didn't agree. After finding the COMAR reference and finding the "expert" from the state police, I was told 26K combined truck and trailer rating. I objected stating that they are counting the 3K pin twice, and they didn't care. "Do you think the officer on the road can figure that out" he exclaimed. I've never heard of anyone having an issue with an RV though.

 

And you likely won't. Think of all the seasoned citizens you see driving 60k+ GVWR diesel pushers all the time on a standard license. No one bothers them. Same goes from RVers for the most part.

 

How do I figure out what my tire and axle ratings are? Getting ready to upgrade to a 5er and see that I am equal on bumper hitches and just under on the 5th wheel and gooseneck for the F350 specs from Ford.
Thinking that airbags and better tires than OEM can kick it up to a bigger trailer capacity.

 

Do you have 18" or 20" tires. Most 20" like mine at rated to 3750# each. Most 18" are rated at 3640# each. Both are over your axle ratings so no worries on tires unless you have 17's that are only rated to 3195#. Your rear axle is derated by Ford on paper to 6200# or something like that but it's actually the identical axle as a SRW 350 so it is really rated to 7000#. Do you have the camper package on your 250? If you do you have the overload springs that come standard on a SRW 350. If not, you may need to add them or air bags to aid with your rear sagging. That depends on your new rig's pin weight. I'd hook up and see before making any upgrades...

 

Tire rating will be on the sidewall of your tires. Axle ratings will be on the sticker on your door post or at least should be. Airbags also aren't going to give you a bigger trailer capacity.

 

Yes, but ignore the axle rating on the door tag as it's a factory de-rate on the 250 to fill a different market segment. The axles are identical to the 7k rated SRW 350...

 

18" tires. No camper package but sagging is not an issue with my WD hitch. Its level and travels well with little or no sway but I'm in S Fla and have only done camping in state so far. Flat highways and not a lot of winding roads unless its to avoid swamp or sinkholes.
Is that extra overload spring the only difference in suspension? I have thought about them or airbags and I have also looked at the Roadmaster Active Suspension.

 

If a 250 has the camper package, there is no difference at all between a 250 and SRW 350. If it doesn't, the single upper overload spring is the only difference between the two suspensions. The main spring pack is the same.

 

OK. So I have looked on line at everything from Amazon to several parts suppliers and now I am really confused because of the different types and styles of "helper" springs.
Any suggestions?