I have a new 2011 F250 Super Duty Ford. It is a 6.7l diesel, 4x4, crew ca, short bed with the 10000# option. It was originally rated to 5th wheel tow up to 15800#. It has subsequently been downgraded to 14300#. I can't get anyone at Ford to explain why this has happened and/or what they changed on the truck. Further, the same truck in the 2012 model is rated for 15200#. Does anyone know anything about this and if it is correct, can I do anything to upgrade the capacity? I want to tow a 15000# 5th wheel.

 

You still can...when you bought it is what counts. There were no changes.

You biggest issue will be pin wt on the 5er. 15K 5er will have a pin wt around 3,000 lbs.

this 3K is what will go in the bed of the truck. So the real question is will the truck handle the payload of 3K. Possible but probably not.

Look at your tires and your rear axle capacity.

You need to have a 5er of around 14K so you don't overload the rear axle and tires.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I have G rated tires, 3.55 rear end, and 10000# GVWR option. Does this change your thinking?

 

Did you switch the rims as well? Rims could probably take it.

the rear axle is probably rated for 61-6200 lbs. Look at your door cert.

Get the truck on the scale with how you normally have it configured. If you have the hitch put that in as well.

With the empty weight of the truck against the capacity availiable then you may be ok.

My pin wt is about 2800 lbs so the way I run my rear axle comes in at 5700 lbs and some change. Well within the 6100lb capacity of my rear end.

I also have a higher registered GVW so I don't worry about the 10K registration.

 

Well, 15k is too much for any F250. You bought the wrong truck. You were misled by towing specifications, which don't take it to consideration the payload of the truck. 15k belongs on a dually IMO.

You can make that F250 do the job, by upgrading to airbags, but you can't do it and be within the manufacturer specifications. It's up to you how important that is to you.

Are you aware that towing a fiver rated for 15k requires a class A license in CA?

 

Another thing to consider is, is the trailer you want to tow 15,000 pounds "dry weight" or the GVWR? If that's the dry weight, you're just about already over. If it's the GVWR, you may be alright, depending on how you load it for your trips.

 

Thanks again. Yes I'm aware that I will need the noncommercial Class A license.

 

My rear axle is rated at 6100# according to the sticker on the door post. I will set it up with full fuel and hitch and have it weighed. Appreciate the input.