Hey everyone,
So I know that we will be looking for a TT in the near future. Just picked up a 2000 F250, 5.4L 4x4 Auto with the 3.73 gears. Previous owner put F350 rear springs on it. I am trying to figure out exactly what the max trailer I can tow. I know that the Ford towing guide says the max trailer weight can be 7100 lbs. Is that true? What does everyone else pull? I do have a 5th wheel ball plate bolted in the bed, so could possibly do a 5th wheel as well.

Family is currently myself, wife and boys 11 and 5 (baby on the way in June). Just need to figure out what exactly my limits are, then go from there.

Thanks.

 

7100 is probably about it with the motor you have in it.

What you should do is weight your truck with full fuel and family.

See where you are at right now. Then take the GCVWR minus that number. You can do the balance.

 

Thats what I was wondering, was trying to see if anyone had the same set up and could give me ideas/pictures on what they were towing.

So the GVWR is 8800 lbs, and cargo capacity is 1909 lbs with the 156" WB. That tells me the truck itself weights 6891 lbs. Cargo would be any passengers and cargo in the bed. Figured all of the family weights 800, leaves 1109 for cargo.

Does that mean I can take that remaining 1109 lbs and add to the 7100 lbs of trailer weight, making it a max trailer weight of 8209 lbs?

Am I doing all the math/figuring correctly?

 

No. The 1109 figure is what you can put on the truck itself as payload.

Figure a trailer of 7100 lbs GVW will have a tongue wt (for the hitch) of 10-15% or roughly 710 lbs.

So what this tells me is you are in good shape based upon your numbers with staying in the capacity of the max trailer wt.

 

Thanks for the help! Forgot about the hitch weight, so looking at 400 lbs of cargo in the bed or trailer.

 

pretty much. Need to put the truck on the scales to get true numbers though.

Also with a 2000 model you should check and make sure the tires are still e rated LT tires.

 

Maxxis 771 Bravo A/T 123Q tires

 

those should be fine.

 

Appreciate the help, thanks!

 

Finding a bunch of these lately. Ford puts this in the owner's manual and on line, but no one can find it.

http://changingears.com/Ford-2000-To...de-Partial.pdf

 

In my owners manual for my 05. There is a chart for GCWV for the 250 and 350 gas motors. They are listed identical. However, the 3.73 gears shows 16000. The 4.10 shows 18000. It umps up with the V10. Starting at 18000 for the 3.73. You get the point. My 4x4 crew cab loaded weighs 8k. So with the 3.73 gears. I can have a trailer that weighs 8k. Which is where I am at. Find your owners manual. Then get your truck weighed. Go from there.

 

Thanks guys. I found the guide online and that's where I got my numbers from. I was seeing what actual owners were doing, if they were stretching the numbers at all and what all they were actually pulling.

 

with a 2V 5.4 you should stick to the ratings.

 

Just to elaborate, that's a good engine, but it isn't a power monster like some others. Be realistic with you expectations for the engine. Up hills, you will find you are at quite high RPM. This takes some getting used to, usually smart to just let yourself slow down considerably and take your time getting to the top.

Those stiffer rear springs might help reduce rear end sag, but a weight distribution hitch is probably still a good idea to put some weight back on the front axle.

Good luck and enjoy your truck and trailer.

 

Thank you for the reply. I know how high the RPM's get just driving up a hill, let alone to be pulling a trailer behind. Will be getting a WDH no matter what, unless a low weight 5th wheel happens to come for sale.