I am sure this has been asked several times, but here it goes again. I couldn't find anything on search with my exact questions.

I currently own a 2014 Keystone Raptor 310 TS. The weights are as follows
12,400 shipped weight
3000 pound hitch weight.

I am thinking I would have it loaded with 2 motorcycles and gear, plus water and generator gas etc. Probably another 2500-3000 pounds. I know I should take the trailer to a scale and get it weighed but I don't have a truck yet to move it.
Now I am looking for a 2008 or newer. I would like to stay away from that 6.0L Diesel as I have heard just too many bad things about that motor.
I have looked at the trailer towing guide that I found online and a F250/F350 will carry that weight under max 5th wheel weight.
Source:
http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/...TTgdeSep08.pdf

Now I know that a DRW will be best for that situation. However I don't think I would tow that often so naturally I would rather get a SRW. What I am concerned with is the payload.

The payload is for a crew cab F250 6.4L is 2280 and the F350 crew cab payload is 6.4l is 3450. DRW payload is 4830.
Source:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...0-450_08bb.pdf

So naturally the DRW is the best, but again I would like to avoid that if possible.

My questions. Is my hitch weight directly related to the cargo capacity? For example my 3000 pound hitch weight is too much for the F250 and would max out a F350 SRW?

Next question is since the trailer overall weight is below the max 5th wheel capacity of all HD diesels would airbags increase the cargo capacity of an F250, if so is there a way to measure how much airbags would increase the capacity?
Next, if I have motorcycles in the back of the 36' trailer would that decrease the hitch weight of trailer?
Next question, if I overload the cargo capacity with this trailer would the typical problems just be squat or am I at risk of breaking axles or something else?
Again I can't really get this trailer to get weighed loaded, without a truck and after I get truck I am sort of married to it. Thanks for the opinions.

BTW this is only a dual axle trailer and not one of the huge 3 axle monsters I see rolling. I will probably tow 8-10 times a year, so if possible I would like to avoid the dually if possible, but will go that route if necessary. Thanks

 

You need to work off the wet weight or GVW of the trailer. Then take 20% of that for king pin wt.

King pin wt is what goes in the bed of the truck..as payload or cargo wt.

You need a F350 min with the max tow.

 

Thanks for the reply. I am guessing my wet weight would be around 15000 pounds so that is 3000 pound hitch. Can I get away with a SRW 350 or would this weight be a DRW? What would you do?

 

3K min. If you can find a F350 with the 4.10 gears in a 2008-10 model years I think you will be ok. Or a 2011 and newer of course.

Airbags will probably be in your future as well to help manage the weight.

Airbags do not increase the capacity, but will help to manage the load and keep you level going down the road.

 

Remember that when you add weight to the rear of your trailer you are levering weight off the tongue. It's hard to tell to be sure, as I've heard that factory specs on RVs are frequently off by quite a bit.

You *should* be good with an SRW F350, but without getting the thing on the scale it's hard to be certain. The number one concern is not exceeding the rated capacity of your rear axle, tires, and wheels. The SRW axle is good for 7,000 lbs, but some tire and wheel combinations restrict it to less.

 

The GVW of that toyhauler is listed as 16,500lbs, so using the above mentioned 20% pin weight rule of thumb you are looking at 3,300lbs on the pin. Also consider the fact that the carrying capacity of that trailer is 3,200lbs and that THs tend to be a little tongue/pin heavy if not carrying a lot of that weight in the garage.

 

Thank you everybody. My shoping has gone to a 2008+ F350 Long Bed with 4.10 gears 4x4 crew cab, 6.4l.

 

4.30 gears would be good as well. I would not rule out a DRW.

 

X2 on the air bag confirmation. I pull a 3725 Montana fiver with p-weight over 3,000. My last fiver had heavy p-weight also so I got air bags for my 2012 F350. It doesn't increase my cargo/pin weight but it did level out my truck when towing. I am within specs for SRW on my combination but barely.

 

I dont know what your budget is for the truck, but you mention not towing much. The 6.4 really thrives on highway driving so as to properly clean the exhaust filters. City/stop and go/short travels all of those are big "no no's" for the 6.4 because it doesnt let the DPF regen properly.

If you do a ton of highway driving then the 6.4 is a powerhouse. If you tune it and delete everything then no worries about regen but that'a a whole other beast to tackle.

I drive a 6.4 and love it, i tow and daily drive with it and its perfect for me. My dad has a V10 f250 and as far as power its all there, it doesnt have the torque of the diesel but also much less maintenance and cost usually. Ive heard the 6.2 gas is doing good towing just not showing great mpg. Now i dont know your situation just giving a few things to ponder before ultimately buying anything.

 

If I run across a good deal on a DRW I will go that route. Good used DRW's are few and far between in Jersey. Thank you again for your help

 

If I buy a SRW will immediatly start pricing air bags for the rear. I would love for the truck to be lvl towing. Thank you.

 

Thank you for the advice. I have a commuter car that I will drive for short trips and save the truck for towing and traveling. Thanks for the reply.

 

That is what I did with my 6.4. The truck performed very well for me.

 

don't forget, your tounge wieght will increase on down hill runs due to center of gravity shifs so don't just consider limits based on level weight distribution.