How much can i tow?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 489
Likes: 4
How much can i tow?
Fellas,
I am in the market for a 5th wheel camper. Have a 2012 SRW F250 crew cab 4x4 6.7 powerstroke. I have a couple questions.
1. How much weight can I tow safely? Fifth wheel not on bumper
2. Are y'all adding air bags or an extra leaf or nothing to tow heavy? I am running 35 toyo MTs and a leveling kit, i would imagine i would need the extra leaf or air bags.
Thanks for any input.
I am in the market for a 5th wheel camper. Have a 2012 SRW F250 crew cab 4x4 6.7 powerstroke. I have a couple questions.
1. How much weight can I tow safely? Fifth wheel not on bumper
2. Are y'all adding air bags or an extra leaf or nothing to tow heavy? I am running 35 toyo MTs and a leveling kit, i would imagine i would need the extra leaf or air bags.
Thanks for any input.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 972
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Inside the drivers door there is a sticker that says the tire pressures and the max payload number. This number is the max weight you can put in the truck including passengers and cargo. Adding a leaf or airbags may increase the actual capacity of the truck but legally your still limited to what that sticker says. This is what limits the 250 trucks when the pin weights of a 5th wheel put you over the max payload before you hit the max tow number. But if you go to any campground you will see 3/4 ton trucks huge 5th wheels.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
technically you need to get the truck on the scales. Full of fuel, people, gear and stuff.
Then you will see what your current weight is by axle and the total.
then based upon that number you can see what is left over.
Then you will see what your current weight is by axle and the total.
then based upon that number you can see what is left over.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 87
From: So Cal
air bags are the way to go when pulling a 5er.
even if it has low pin weight, the air bags will really make the ride nicer.
even if it has low pin weight, the air bags will really make the ride nicer.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 489
Likes: 4
your truck DRW or SRW?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
Good that you are asking as some stat show 80% of the tow vehicles out there are overloaded 
As stated, it will pull anything, but legally it's limited to your placard ratings...
you have different tires and wheels so you may have changed it in three ways:
1) larger tires lessen your effective final drive ratio so a 3.55 may be like a 3.31
2) the tires may have less load capacity which will lower your load
3) if lifted taller, you may have an issue with bed clearance without a tall 5er...
One figure not shown above is the axles ratings... depending on reg cab, crew cab, etc... it could be 6200 lbs which with the hitch, loads, pin wgt will be tight..
So there are other ratings you need to consider,
I think your rear axles GAWR will be the limiting factor...
(Yes, you almost have to be a math major to figure it all out, so don't believe the salesmen when he says your truck will pull anything !)
on edit - I put air bags on mine to help not draw so much attention to my sagging rear end - installed they were about $300
As stated, it will pull anything, but legally it's limited to your placard ratings...
you have different tires and wheels so you may have changed it in three ways:
1) larger tires lessen your effective final drive ratio so a 3.55 may be like a 3.31
2) the tires may have less load capacity which will lower your load
3) if lifted taller, you may have an issue with bed clearance without a tall 5er...
One figure not shown above is the axles ratings... depending on reg cab, crew cab, etc... it could be 6200 lbs which with the hitch, loads, pin wgt will be tight..
So there are other ratings you need to consider,
I think your rear axles GAWR will be the limiting factor...
(Yes, you almost have to be a math major to figure it all out, so don't believe the salesmen when he says your truck will pull anything !)
on edit - I put air bags on mine to help not draw so much attention to my sagging rear end - installed they were about $300
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 832
Likes: 110
Great capacity increases for the duallys in 2013. Looks like Ford figured out the drivers of heavy 5ers knew best
Don't believe the salesman on either TV or 5er - neither wants to lose the sale, and both know that you will be back to them once you figure out you are overloaded and tired of white knuckle driving. Many of us have been there and hope to share the costly experience so others can avoid it. Get a 5er that matches your 250's capabilities (very limited above 30 feet), or swap out the truck before you put any more money into it trying to make it something that it is not.
Don't believe the salesman on either TV or 5er - neither wants to lose the sale, and both know that you will be back to them once you figure out you are overloaded and tired of white knuckle driving. Many of us have been there and hope to share the costly experience so others can avoid it. Get a 5er that matches your 250's capabilities (very limited above 30 feet), or swap out the truck before you put any more money into it trying to make it something that it is not.
