5th Wheel Weight Help!
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 63
bla,bla,bla, I have the 2011 f250 w/ airlift bags, I pull a 40' toyhauler, put the golf cart and full dresser harley in the back and go down the road weighing in at an estimated 16,000-16,500 and it pulls and stops fantastic, no sway or anything. And of course,,, plenty of pulling power.
I've heard thiers only a spring differance in the f350 thats all.
I've heard thiers only a spring differance in the f350 thats all.
Do yourself a favor and go through the next time you are loaded up. After weighing the truck and trailer you can drop the trailer in the parking lot and go back for a "re-weigh", only costs a dollar for the 2nd weigh.
What kind of toy hauler do you have that weighs only 16 loaded, I may have to change
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Middletown,NJ
Not to hijack the thread, but what about conventional towing, Ford site says 14000 max for 6.7 F250/F350 CC short bed. Asking more specifically about towing a boat (36ft Regulator center console w/ twin Yammie 350s and rigged for fishing). It's a friends boat and he "thinks" it weighs all in about 12-13k.
Can anyone out there comment on towing something like that with our SRW trucks?
Thanks.
Can anyone out there comment on towing something like that with our SRW trucks?
Thanks.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20,146
Likes: 15,911
From: Wisconsin
I can a little...
I have a friend that has a 38 Baja with twin 496's that weighs in at 11,500 on a tri-axle trailer (at least that is what it is reported at). Trailer has a 2 5/16" ball style coupler. I had to put 65 pounds of air in the bags to level the truck. I only put in 55psf for my 5th wheel (over 14k), so 65psf is a lot in my opinion. Truck didn't struggle at all and seemed to do well with everything except turning a TAG is obviously more challenging than a 5th wheel. I only towed for a little over 140 miles to and from an inland marina getting some custom work done by Mercury and then it went back to Lake Michigan. The boat is likely back in Florida by now. Retirement has been good to my buddy. He has quite a life now...but he deserves it. Bottom line, if you are going to tow that kind of weight you need air bags. The stock suspension will sag it something fierce. They aren't that expensive. I'll never own a truck without them again. Trailer brakes and the proper drawbar is a given.
I have a friend that has a 38 Baja with twin 496's that weighs in at 11,500 on a tri-axle trailer (at least that is what it is reported at). Trailer has a 2 5/16" ball style coupler. I had to put 65 pounds of air in the bags to level the truck. I only put in 55psf for my 5th wheel (over 14k), so 65psf is a lot in my opinion. Truck didn't struggle at all and seemed to do well with everything except turning a TAG is obviously more challenging than a 5th wheel. I only towed for a little over 140 miles to and from an inland marina getting some custom work done by Mercury and then it went back to Lake Michigan. The boat is likely back in Florida by now. Retirement has been good to my buddy. He has quite a life now...but he deserves it. Bottom line, if you are going to tow that kind of weight you need air bags. The stock suspension will sag it something fierce. They aren't that expensive. I'll never own a truck without them again. Trailer brakes and the proper drawbar is a given.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
Not to hijack the thread, but what about conventional towing, Ford site says 14000 max for 6.7 F250/F350 CC short bed. Asking more specifically about towing a boat (36ft Regulator center console w/ twin Yammie 350s and rigged for fishing). It's a friends boat and he "thinks" it weighs all in about 12-13k.
Can anyone out there comment on towing something like that with our SRW trucks?
Thanks.
Can anyone out there comment on towing something like that with our SRW trucks?
Thanks.
you will need airbags.. (if its a 250) usually the boat trailers don't support weight distributing hitches..
you will also need a 2.5 in drawbar for that weight.
Sam
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Middletown,NJ
Yes, the trailer has electric brakes. I have an F350 and the 2.5in drawbar. Hope that's all I need to do this safely. As I mentioned, not my boat and this won't be a regular thing so I don't plan on installing any airbags.
Thanks for the feedback.
john
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
missed your sig.. 350 should be fine..
sam
New User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
GVWR exceeds limits
I have 2008 6.4l with GVWR rating of 10,000. After weighing truck with 5th wheel attached my GCWR was 21,300. The GCWR for my truck is 23,500. No problems there. However, the GVWR (Load Truck with 5th wheel pin weight (2300 lb) is close to 11,000 pounds. Will I have to shift close to 1000 pounds from pin weight. Anybody out there exceeding your GVWR. If so, what have you experienced when doing so? Thanks for any responses.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Hey novice, you have outlined the single most common problem with an f250 perfectly, great post.
It is nearly impossible to approach the towing max of this truck without going over the 10,000 pound rating on the truck axles. Heck, with a 16' cargo trailer bumper pull and four men in the cab I'm over weight....
It is nearly impossible to approach the towing max of this truck without going over the 10,000 pound rating on the truck axles. Heck, with a 16' cargo trailer bumper pull and four men in the cab I'm over weight....
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
I know I would have to go weigh my truck on a scale loaded, full of gas, tools etc but I am curious. My truck is a 2012 f350 SRW long bed 4x4. It has the factory hitch installed as well as the 11,500 GVWR sticker. Any idea what this truck weighs and what type of pin weight it would carry legally. I purchased a long bed since we are considering trading in the tag along for a fifth wheel. It won't be until my son leaves the house ( the tag along is a bunkhouse ) but I am curious about the range of fifth wheel I may be able to purchase and drive legally.
Last edited by Romeo Scorpion; Aug 11, 2012 at 10:13 AM. Reason: Added pictures
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 832
Likes: 110
Yes, every single assumption in every manufacturer's towing ratings are pure bs. What driver weighs 150 pounds, who tows a 5er without a 100 to 250 pound hitch and undercarriage, who carries no tools or spouse's or pets at __# ea, and who has no more than 5 gallons of fuel. Same goes for a 5er. Who carries no fresh water and no propane, both of which end up 100% on the pin/hitch/rear axle of tow vehicle. And where is that stuff stowed that Does not end up on the pin (toy haulers may be the exception)? Forewarned is forearmed, so you don't have to pay double to trade out of what the TV or 5er salesman says "will do just fine," but do what you want to do.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
The above comments have detailed pretty clearly what you can carry.
F250 are basically chase trucks, to carry small tools and supplies to job site. Soccer dads to games and sportsmen to hunting and fishing. They are rated tow vehicles for Boats, Motorcycles, and utility trailers. The F250 has the same engine, tranny as the heavier F350's, So they can pull as heavy of a load. They just can't carry as much in the bed, which is weight over the trucks axles.
5th Wheel and Gooseneck towing have advantages in that they transfer more of the trailers weight onto the tow vehicle. But that often requires a heavier duty tow vehicle.
Too many folks feel that since it looks like the same truck, has the same power train, that it is capable of towing as big of loads as the heavier trucks. Others feel they can modify a light duty truck to be a heavy duty truck by adding modification. Personally, I think Ford has paid some engineers to evaluate previous trucks and design the new one to meet the specification. I don't trust that myself working on the advice of the teenager behind the parts counter at a local parts house can better engineer the truck.
Stick within the guidelines published in the towing guide and be safe. If you want a bigger 5th wheel, It is easy to trade your truck off and get a heavier model. There are many who do tow 5vers behind F250s and claim it works great. And I respect their opinions, But if an accident happens, I really don't want the added arguement of why I was over weight.
F250 are basically chase trucks, to carry small tools and supplies to job site. Soccer dads to games and sportsmen to hunting and fishing. They are rated tow vehicles for Boats, Motorcycles, and utility trailers. The F250 has the same engine, tranny as the heavier F350's, So they can pull as heavy of a load. They just can't carry as much in the bed, which is weight over the trucks axles.
5th Wheel and Gooseneck towing have advantages in that they transfer more of the trailers weight onto the tow vehicle. But that often requires a heavier duty tow vehicle.
Too many folks feel that since it looks like the same truck, has the same power train, that it is capable of towing as big of loads as the heavier trucks. Others feel they can modify a light duty truck to be a heavy duty truck by adding modification. Personally, I think Ford has paid some engineers to evaluate previous trucks and design the new one to meet the specification. I don't trust that myself working on the advice of the teenager behind the parts counter at a local parts house can better engineer the truck.
Stick within the guidelines published in the towing guide and be safe. If you want a bigger 5th wheel, It is easy to trade your truck off and get a heavier model. There are many who do tow 5vers behind F250s and claim it works great. And I respect their opinions, But if an accident happens, I really don't want the added arguement of why I was over weight.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
I have 2008 6.4l with GVWR rating of 10,000. After weighing truck with 5th wheel attached my GCWR was 21,300. The GCWR for my truck is 23,500. No problems there. However, the GVWR (Load Truck with 5th wheel pin weight (2300 lb) is close to 11,000 pounds. Will I have to shift close to 1000 pounds from pin weight. Anybody out there exceeding your GVWR. If so, what have you experienced when doing so? Thanks for any responses.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
So, why can't one add the rear leaf (overload) springs and/or air springs (the big rigs run almost exclusively on air springs anymore), and accomplish the same thing? The drive train, frame, etc., on the 250 seem to be essentially identical to the 350 (perhaps are identical).. with the suspension the only difference?
Sam
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Pahoa, HI
Depends on the year. Some years apparently the axles are the same. In at least 2010, the 250 had a smaller diameter rear axle, so adding air bags wouldn't do it. Be very carefull checking that out as there are many different opinions on the differences!
I went through the same thing. Found out the hard way that the 250's have less than a 2000lb payload. For a big truck, it isn't much. I was lucky that I got out of the 2010 250 and into a 2011 350 dually pretty painlessly. Practically just the difference in price new.
I went through the same thing. Found out the hard way that the 250's have less than a 2000lb payload. For a big truck, it isn't much. I was lucky that I got out of the 2010 250 and into a 2011 350 dually pretty painlessly. Practically just the difference in price new.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Question....Im going to be putting airbags on my 250 soon but do not want to spend the extra money on the compresser. Will one of those air pumps you plug into the 12 vt. dash get the job done? Im thinking not but dont know for sure. Thanks