Pulling a Fifth Wheel Camper
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Morehead, Ky.
My 2003 F250 is only rated for a 12000# Fifth wheel. Gross cargo weight is where you will get killed. Your 250 is not rated for 15 to 20 percent of your trailers gross weight.
you have to count fuel, hitch, people, tool box, dog etc, in to your gross carrying capacity.
I wish I could recommend that you can tow it safely, It is a beautiful rig.
This may help. http://www.wilkinsrv.com/PDFs/2008TowGuide.pdf
you have to count fuel, hitch, people, tool box, dog etc, in to your gross carrying capacity.
I wish I could recommend that you can tow it safely, It is a beautiful rig.
This may help. http://www.wilkinsrv.com/PDFs/2008TowGuide.pdf
still plays with trucks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 3
From: Twin Falls Idaho
Its a heavy rig.
Barney
Molon Labe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,272
Likes: 1
From: Alaska
) I wouldn't want to tug around my unit with anything smaller than what I have now. A F450 and a toy hauler is in my near future...
Go Bills !
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 65
From: Buffalo, NY
The rotor size is important, agreed. (heat,grip and leverage) But i believe it is were the rubber meets the road is more of a factor. A dually just has better footing. I have had the trailer brakes locked up and the truck takes up the rest of what the trailer tires (rubber meets the road) can't do. It sure would be nice to have 4 rubber contact points on the concrete on the back of the truck. Especially when the roads are wet. And besides that, "e" rated tires are what, 3000 lbs(approx) each at max pressure? The 3000 lbs heavy pin box takes up most of 1 tires carrying copacity?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Farmersburg, Indiana
Hey this is great info from everyone here.... thank you very much!!!!
I have looked at upgrading too bigger brakes and an exhust brake system.... but by the law my truck is only rated 20k GCWR.... you are right I'm way over my rating.... so can I upgrade my truck class offically with doing upgrades like these? Has anyone done that or can it be done?
Otherwise I need to look for a 7.3L F450 rare truck!!! Cuz I'm not sold on the new engine yet tell after it gets some years under its belt!!!!
Once again everyone has made great points.... the truck will pull it do to the legend of this engine... however the brakes worry me... they are smaller than the newer trucks... axles are the same though! So I know my GAWR is not a worry.... The DRW would be nice insurance but I can live without it would be limited towing.... only for TDYs and some summer trips !
I have looked at upgrading too bigger brakes and an exhust brake system.... but by the law my truck is only rated 20k GCWR.... you are right I'm way over my rating.... so can I upgrade my truck class offically with doing upgrades like these? Has anyone done that or can it be done?
Otherwise I need to look for a 7.3L F450 rare truck!!! Cuz I'm not sold on the new engine yet tell after it gets some years under its belt!!!!
Once again everyone has made great points.... the truck will pull it do to the legend of this engine... however the brakes worry me... they are smaller than the newer trucks... axles are the same though! So I know my GAWR is not a worry.... The DRW would be nice insurance but I can live without it would be limited towing.... only for TDYs and some summer trips !
New User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Ford F250 2000, pulling 16k unit 32ft 5th wheel
My truck has pulled me through some steep climbs but there have been a couple of times that I got down to 40 mpr...if you try to pull 20k with this, it better be in top condition or live in Kansas and stay there.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Shangri-La
I know this is an old thread but I am in a similar predicament and am going to be towing a DRV 43' 18,500 lbs with 3600 on the pin. has anyone considered the safety hitch with airbags? or is there another thread here that I didn't see. BTW my rig is a 2011 F250 6.7 - the only thing I am worried about is will it pull up the Rockies with that much weight? With the safety hitch I am not concerned with stopping, only with will my engine and tranny hold up?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
I know this is an old thread but I am in a similar predicament and am going to be towing a DRV 43' 18,500 lbs with 3600 on the pin. has anyone considered the safety hitch with airbags? or is there another thread here that I didn't see. BTW my rig is a 2011 F250 6.7 - the only thing I am worried about is will it pull up the Rockies with that much weight? With the safety hitch I am not concerned with stopping, only with will my engine and tranny hold up?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Shangri-La
Yes it is, however the safety hitch will handle the weight, and the braking - so on the payload I am not concerned. And yes I guess it would be more appropriate to post in the 6.7 section, however I came across this thread in a general google search and because the question was so similar I thought I would chime in. Will the 7.3 engine tranny pull that kind of weight up the Rockies? (And if the 7.3 can do it - it is reasonable to assume a newer engine and tranny could as well?) If someone has hauled in this kind of steep grade situation, with a heavy 5vr I would appreciate the feedback.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,264
Likes: 6,036
I know this is an old thread but I am in a similar predicament and am going to be towing a DRV 43' 18,500 lbs with 3600 on the pin. has anyone considered the safety hitch with airbags? or is there another thread here that I didn't see. BTW my rig is a 2011 F250 6.7 - the only thing I am worried about is will it pull up the Rockies with that much weight? With the safety hitch I am not concerned with stopping, only with will my engine and tranny hold up?
Please point to the link where this "safety hitch" is marketed.
It sounds like they've figured out a way to defy the laws of physics, and that kind of secret should be held close in the hands of National Security, not running amok in the beds of RV'rs.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Shangri-La
Here is the link - The Automated Safety Hitch | Trailer Hitch | Gooseneck Horse Trailers | 5th Wheel RVs | Flatbed Goosenecks | Fifth Wheel
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Shangri-La
Ok - so now that we have the weight, and the braking issue resolved. Back to the original question if anyone with info on whether or not these trucks can tote that kind of weight up/down the Rockies or a similar grade without major engine or tranny problems?