1985 F-250HD towing limits
#1
07-19-2016, 08:14 PM
1985 F-250HD towing limits
Hi
Vehicle: 1985 F-250HD, 7.5L engine, Gas, 3.55 ratio sterling 10.25 rear, 4x4, Standard cab
In the 1985 owners manual on the Trailer Towing page it lists this as having a GCWR of 11,500lb
Is this the GCWR of the trailer only or the combined trailer and truck?
Reading the other towing posts it appears that my F-250HD is going to weight in somewhere around 4000lbs when loaded with fuel and passengers.
If that 11,500 GCWR is for the combined Truck and trailer that only leave a trailer with a total loaded weight of around 7500lbs. That’s not much looking at trailers, anything over about 30ft would be out excepting some of the cheaper, low quality models
Can anyone advise?
Thanks
nonrev
Vehicle: 1985 F-250HD, 7.5L engine, Gas, 3.55 ratio sterling 10.25 rear, 4x4, Standard cab
In the 1985 owners manual on the Trailer Towing page it lists this as having a GCWR of 11,500lb
Is this the GCWR of the trailer only or the combined trailer and truck?
Reading the other towing posts it appears that my F-250HD is going to weight in somewhere around 4000lbs when loaded with fuel and passengers.
If that 11,500 GCWR is for the combined Truck and trailer that only leave a trailer with a total loaded weight of around 7500lbs. That’s not much looking at trailers, anything over about 30ft would be out excepting some of the cheaper, low quality models
Can anyone advise?
Thanks
nonrev
#2
07-19-2016, 10:49 PM
Posting Legend
A page or so before that page explains the GCWR. As shown on my web site (Towing - ???Gary's Garagemahal) it says:
"The Loaded Vehicle Weight is the weight of your vehicle as loaded for towing (including trailer hitch, passengers, and gear). Scales to weigh your loaded vehicle are available at trucking companies - usually listed in the Yellow Pages.
The Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCVWR) - is the maximum combined weight of the loaded vehicle plus trailer that will meet the acceptance tests with your power train (engine, transmission, and axle). The GCWR can be found in the tables that follow based on transmission, engine, and axle ratio. If the engine type and axle ratio are not known, see the tables that follow the GCWR tables.
Once these two figures are found, the GCWR minus the Loaded Vehicle Weight determines the Maximum Trailer Weight for your vehicle."
I think your truck will be closer to 4500 lbs with you, a passenger, and gear. So that puts the trailer at 7000 lbs, max - assuming you have a manual tranny.
The Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCVWR) - is the maximum combined weight of the loaded vehicle plus trailer that will meet the acceptance tests with your power train (engine, transmission, and axle). The GCWR can be found in the tables that follow based on transmission, engine, and axle ratio. If the engine type and axle ratio are not known, see the tables that follow the GCWR tables.
Once these two figures are found, the GCWR minus the Loaded Vehicle Weight determines the Maximum Trailer Weight for your vehicle."
#5
07-20-2016, 09:42 AM
Posting Legend
#6
07-20-2016, 10:14 AM
#7
07-20-2016, 11:45 AM
Keep in mind that the modern trailers are a lot bigger than what was common when these trucks were new. While the trucks are very heavy duty, and can pull a lot, they have lower tow ratings than their contemporary equivalents or even the modern F150. Hell, you can get a 7k tow capacity on a Chevy Colorado.
I'd much rather drive my bullnose though.
I'd much rather drive my bullnose though.
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#8
07-20-2016, 01:48 PM
Thanks everyone.
I'm keeping he 85 and continuing with the restore.
I do have another post up asking for recommendations for good tow trucks.
If anyone has any suggestions for something 3-5 years old, reliable, don't need alot of power accessories but able to pull around 10,000 give or take 1000, various terrain, 9 months of the year I'd be interested in hearing your suggestions
Thanks
Rgds
I'm keeping he 85 and continuing with the restore.
I do have another post up asking for recommendations for good tow trucks.
If anyone has any suggestions for something 3-5 years old, reliable, don't need alot of power accessories but able to pull around 10,000 give or take 1000, various terrain, 9 months of the year I'd be interested in hearing your suggestions
Thanks
Rgds
#10
07-21-2016, 03:46 AM
Think maybe there is some majik math involved in how they are rated? Ive pulled loads behind my '85 F250 that I would not ever attempt to pull with any 1/2 ton made.
1953 Mercury Monterey pulled a 36-foot Redman over the mountain in Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz movie the The Long, Long Trailer. You really should watch that before hooking on a long long trailer.
Not just pull but handle the curves and down hills. Need vehicle weight to stay in front the trailer a crooked roads. On interstate not so much a problem.
1953 Mercury Monterey pulled a 36-foot Redman over the mountain in Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz movie the The Long, Long Trailer. You really should watch that before hooking on a long long trailer.
Not just pull but handle the curves and down hills. Need vehicle weight to stay in front the trailer a crooked roads. On interstate not so much a problem.
#11
07-21-2016, 12:52 PM
Posting Legend
#12
07-21-2016, 01:17 PM
US vehicles tend to be underrated for towing compared to the equivalent vehicle in the EU. That's also a difference in legal requirements since in the EU there are much stricter requirements for brakes on trailers, and lower speed limits.
But my jeep is 4k in the us and 7k in the EU, same exact vehicle.
But my jeep is 4k in the us and 7k in the EU, same exact vehicle.
#13
07-21-2016, 05:36 PM
Logistics Pro
My standard duty F250 has a scale weight of 4,340 but with 2 passengers weighing approximately 180-200 pounds each, 1.5 tanks of fuel and a spare tire, trailer hitch and other odds and ends in a tool box I usually weigh in at around 4,800 pounds going across the dump scales. By myself I can expect 4,680 consistently. Figure several hundred pounds more for an HD truck. More leaf springs, usually having a 460 or diesel, full floater rear axle if they weigh more than a semi float.
There is absolutely no way you're going to find a bullnose F250 weighing at 4000 pounds like you will with a F100 or F150.
There is absolutely no way you're going to find a bullnose F250 weighing at 4000 pounds like you will with a F100 or F150.
#14
07-21-2016, 05:43 PM
Hey Gary,
Is that possible, to take out the T19 and BW1345 and drop in a ZF5. Take out the Sterling 10.25 and install a 4.10? I'm looking at the costs of buying a 2012-2015 RAM 2500 and were still talking 35K to 50K range. If I could do that its something I would seriously consider. Know of any custom shops that would do this for me. Theres no one here in Panama City Florida I would trust.
Figuring the truck, fully loaded will be around 5K lb I should be able to pull a 11K trailer (fully loaded) is that right?
Thanks
Is that possible, to take out the T19 and BW1345 and drop in a ZF5. Take out the Sterling 10.25 and install a 4.10? I'm looking at the costs of buying a 2012-2015 RAM 2500 and were still talking 35K to 50K range. If I could do that its something I would seriously consider. Know of any custom shops that would do this for me. Theres no one here in Panama City Florida I would trust.
Figuring the truck, fully loaded will be around 5K lb I should be able to pull a 11K trailer (fully loaded) is that right?
Thanks