Can it get Er done?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Can it get Er done?
Hi everyone. We just purchased a Silverback 30WRE fifth wheel with a UVW of 10870lbs and a GVWR of 13,941lbs. We were looking at a 2014 Ford F250 CC gasser with a GVWR of 9900lbs. Here's where it got tricky. We were initally told it had a 4.30 axle ratio which would have put the GCWR at 22,000lbs and the max trailer load at 15,100 - all within limits. We just found out it is actually a 3.73 which drops the numbers to 19,000 and 12,100. The guy who sold the truck to the dealer had a 5th wheel with a GVWR of 14,500lbs and said that he had no issues pulling it (i did see the rig still connected at the site). The dealer said that this truck could easily pull 17,000 and ours would be no issue. He has been very honest up until now. Me and the DW are weekend warriors who will only be putting about 5k - 10k per year on the truck. My question is do i trust the dealer or go with the sticker weights
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,465
Likes: 4,958
It'll actually haul it, but it won't be within the legal limits of the truck and if something happened there could be liability issues.
Plus, maxing out that gas motor truck will mean it will be a turd towing that trailer.
I'd sure try and find a diesel, even going to an older one, '11 or '12 maybe to get the cost down near the newer gas motor truck.
An F250 powerstroke will pull that trailer with ease.
Plus, maxing out that gas motor truck will mean it will be a turd towing that trailer.
I'd sure try and find a diesel, even going to an older one, '11 or '12 maybe to get the cost down near the newer gas motor truck.
An F250 powerstroke will pull that trailer with ease.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,465
Likes: 4,958
There are plenty of other issues with these trucks, I've had my share, but the motor in mine is solid and you can't beat its performance.
Personally, I will be going with a new Ram as soon as I can.
I'll sell you my truck, motor/trans is solid, I've fixed the other things that have gone south so as it stands now it is in good shape. It's had pretty much all highway miles on it, so for the most part those are the easiest miles. It's at 184K right now and I'll sell it for right at what payoff is.
Just throwing that out there, not really serious yet as I will have to order my new truck and that will take 8-11 weeks to come in.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
From the original post it doesn't look as though they bought the truck already.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 17
Look for a 350 and preferably a DRW. A 250 will squat badly with that load, leading you to spend lots more $ on airbags, springs and other crutches to cover up the problem and as noted you'll still be over GVWR which can be an issue in the event of an accident.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
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
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,465
Likes: 4,958
Why buy way more truck than is needed? All that means is more weight, more tires, less fuel economy, rougher ride.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 17
No it won't, I tow heavier than the OP with my F250 and have zero issues. The issue with the truck the OP is looking at is the fact that it is a gas engine truck with a lower load/tow rating. A diesel version of the same truck will suit his needs perfectly.
Why buy way more truck than is needed? All that means is more weight, more tires, less fuel economy, rougher ride.
Why buy way more truck than is needed? All that means is more weight, more tires, less fuel economy, rougher ride.
As for buying more then the minimum you can get away with, from a 250 to a 350 adds hardly any weight, but you get an upgrade in axles and in springs. The ride isn't rougher by any noticable amount, particularly when loaded, and fuel economy is also pretty much the same unless you make a drastic change in axle ratio. More tires, yes if you go DRW, however once you go DRW you'll never go back, certainly I'll never go back and I've been DRW for 18 years.
Any time your tow vehicle is at it's ratings you'll feel it and it will grate on you on longer trips. You'll be wishing you went with the next size up for the minimal cost increase, but you'll be stuck with what you got until it's paid off to the point you can reasonably trade it in.
Nobody has ever been unhappy getting one size above the minimum. Get an F450 to tow something a F150 can handle, sure you'll regret it, but not getting an F350 vs. an F250.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,465
Likes: 4,958
Your truck is squatting in your pic. A friend of mine who recently upgraded from a F150 to an F350 (couldn't get him to go DRW yet...) noticed the squatting thing with 250s where he noted that every 250 he saw towing anything but a tiny trailer was visibly squatting vs. 350s which he noted he never saw squatting.
As for buying more then the minimum you can get away with, from a 250 to a 350 adds hardly any weight, but you get an upgrade in axles and in springs. The ride isn't rougher by any noticable amount, particularly when loaded, and fuel economy is also pretty much the same unless you make a drastic change in axle ratio. More tires, yes if you go DRW, however once you go DRW you'll never go back, certainly I'll never go back and I've been DRW for 18 years.
Any time your tow vehicle is at it's ratings you'll feel it and it will grate on you on longer trips. You'll be wishing you went with the next size up for the minimal cost increase, but you'll be stuck with what you got until it's paid off to the point you can reasonably trade it in.
Nobody has ever been unhappy getting one size above the minimum. Get an F450 to tow something a F150 can handle, sure you'll regret it, but not getting an F350 vs. an F250.
As for buying more then the minimum you can get away with, from a 250 to a 350 adds hardly any weight, but you get an upgrade in axles and in springs. The ride isn't rougher by any noticable amount, particularly when loaded, and fuel economy is also pretty much the same unless you make a drastic change in axle ratio. More tires, yes if you go DRW, however once you go DRW you'll never go back, certainly I'll never go back and I've been DRW for 18 years.
Any time your tow vehicle is at it's ratings you'll feel it and it will grate on you on longer trips. You'll be wishing you went with the next size up for the minimal cost increase, but you'll be stuck with what you got until it's paid off to the point you can reasonably trade it in.
Nobody has ever been unhappy getting one size above the minimum. Get an F450 to tow something a F150 can handle, sure you'll regret it, but not getting an F350 vs. an F250.
It is almost level, and has never been an issue no matter how heavy a trailer I have pulled with it.
A F350 DRW is overkill for the OP's needs, at the very most a SRW F350 is all he needs.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 17
We don't know the hitch weight on that 14K camper currently, but we know it's going to be very close to or over the available 1,900# load capacity of a 250. Add in a family of 4 at 600# or better, a couple 100# coolers in the bed, etc. and you can be very sure you're overweight which is both a ride comfort issue as well as a liability issue should you be in an accident while over the vehicle's GVWR.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
As for buying more then the minimum you can get away with, from a 250 to a 350 adds hardly any weight, but you get an upgrade in axles and in springs. The ride isn't rougher by any noticable amount, particularly when loaded, and fuel economy is also pretty much the same unless you make a drastic change in axle ratio.
No need for a dually at all.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
You're confusing GVWR and GCWR. If the OP puts the 5th wheel weight of that 14K+ trailer on a 250 he will be over GVWR. These trucks weigh over 8,000#, so a 9,900# GVWR leaves only 1,900# total load capacity at best which has to cover the hitch weight and the weight of everything else in the truck from driver, to passengers, coolers of food, luggage, etc. A 350 adds a lot of capacity, and a DRW will give you ~4,000# available.
We don't know the hitch weight on that 14K camper currently, but we know it's going to be very close to or over the available 1,900# load capacity of a 250. Add in a family of 4 at 600# or better, a couple 100# coolers in the bed, etc. and you can be very sure you're overweight which is both a ride comfort issue as well as a liability issue should you be in an accident while over the vehicle's GVWR.
We don't know the hitch weight on that 14K camper currently, but we know it's going to be very close to or over the available 1,900# load capacity of a 250. Add in a family of 4 at 600# or better, a couple 100# coolers in the bed, etc. and you can be very sure you're overweight which is both a ride comfort issue as well as a liability issue should you be in an accident while over the vehicle's GVWR.
Also, you might want to check your facts twice before you start disagreeing with Ltngdrvr on towing. He tows more miles in a week than most owners do in a year.