Of course the duals will be a whole different animal so I am not talking about that at all. What I am saying is that for the 2003 and probably the 2002 SRW there is no difference in the frame, axles, gears, etc. The only difference is the rear block height.

Check Ford's site (link is below). Look at the Chassis Specs. EVERYTHING IS THE SAME. 250 and 350 axles, shocks, springs...everything is the same. The only 350 that is different is the 350 dual rear wheel.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/Trucks/s...eatures/specs/

 

When referring to most trucks - especially the older ones -
3/4 and 1-tons are quite different
All 1 tons are made to accomodate dual rear wheels...

The Super Duty weight specs are a joke...
That means the 250 and 350 SRW are the same...that is wrong...there is no difference...
I now have less respect for the Super Duty.
I do like how the DRW's have 1K more capacity, not that it does much...

 

The original post way up at the top was about a 2003 Ford so that is what I was refering to. I don't know anything about older trucks since I don't drive one.

Happy towing.

 

Just a little FYI, thats all...

 

Mwachel,

Are you saying that you too were misled by the Ford trailer towing guide?

I don't want to get you "Flamed", but you got me curious about your comment because you bought the F250.

That's making me think that you are also found with a truck that is using up too much of it's GVWR with it's own weight to have enought payload left to handle the weight of a decent size 5er.

 

Have you guys thought about towing slightly smaller trailers?

 

Let's back up here. I never mentioned anything about the towing guide. I simply stated that the 2002 and 2003 are not different as far as axles, gears, so on and so on. The only physical difference in the trucks is that block.

If you want to talk about towing a big 5ver then you should look at the DRW 350 since it IS different.

I bought the 250 to save the $600 for various other gadgets. I don't need the 350. My set up is perfect for the 250:

Trailer loaded- 8100#
Truck with gear and people- 7500#
Truck GCWR- about 17,000 to 17,500# (too lazy to go look)

These weights were taken from a CAT scale on the way out of town for a trip. As you can see I don't need a 350 and decided to save the $600.

I think that the 250 and 350 SRW payloads are competitive with Chebbies and Dodges if not better. I could be wrong. I may go look after the football game is over.

Colossus,
Thanks for the info. I knew there was some diff in the older trucks but I wasn't sure.

Happy towing,
Mike

PS. I don't see how the towing guides are misleading but I could be missing something.

 

Yes, I have and AM considering a smaller 5er. But I'm still in trouble. We probably won't be able to get the floorplan we like. We may even have to consider a travel trailer.

First off, we were planning on a 32-33ft with a rear living floor plan, and we expected to do some full timing in it for a while. We wanted some living space. We figured the truck to weigh in at 6500# leaving 2300# for hitch weight and cargo. Taking away weight for passengers, fuel, hitch and paraphenalia still leaves about 1500#. And, by the way, the SHIPPING weight of my truck WAS 6535#.

I bought the diesel engine for it's pulling power, and I bought the Lariat trim package for it's creature features. I never knew how much that combination was going to take away from my 5er towing capacity.

The sales people told me that the only difference between the F250 and F350 was the Payload. Like if you want to haul gravel or something. And the trailer towing guide for 2002 indicated that the F250 and F350 could tow the same weight in a 5er. I didn't see the 2003 guide(and the new footnote that the CC could tow only 10400#) until after I bought the 2003 F250. I thought, in 2002, that if the guide said that an F250 could tow a 12800# 5er, it should be able to carry it's hitch weight.

I'm not trying to place any blame here, it was me who failed to figure it out for myself. Still, even looking at the footnote; if you figure 15% hitch weight of 10400# you get 1560#. Still right in line with my previous calculations. If I got the XL version with no options, I could probably tow it. That's the part I missed in the guide.

My truck weighs 7520# with a full tank and only me in it. (I really don't know how it grew from 6535#. I weigh 190# and I had it rustproofed and Rhino lined which added 65#, the dealer added an alarm with remote start ??#, and the 29 gallons of diesel fuel weighs about 210#) So, lets add my wife 180#, a hitch 150#?, a cooler and other general paraphenalia 150# and I'm up to 8000#.

That leaves only 800# for hitch weight. There are not many 5er's that fill that bill. And, if I want to take any guests with me in the CC, they'd have to float!

So, even considering a smaller fifth wheel may not suffice!

If the F250 and F350 are the same except for the 4" spacer and the higher weight carrying tires; and it looks like they are from the data I've gathered; and I just happen to have the higher rated tires, why shouldn't I be able to tow the same weight as the F350? Why shouldn't I be able to go back to Ford and ask them to re-sticker it?

 

Mwachel

Sorry that I misunderstood your post. I'm delighted that you got exactly what you needed.

What caused the misunderstanding was ouy said you didn't want to get flamed. I understand now that you were referring to the ongoing battle of the difference (sameness) of the two trucks?

My apologies

 

No need to apologize! Debate is what makes this forum great...as long as it doesn't get mean spirited.

As far as your truck...put airbags in it. You will be able to tow the same as a 350. No, you won't have the sticker but you aren't going to harm the truck or be unsafe. As far as legal ramifications...I can't answer that. It seems easy to prove that the trucks are the same and that they are capable of towing the same weight/payload if the rear blocks are switched or airbags installed.

Good luck and don't sweat it too much. If I ever get a 5ver I will have airbags installed and consider it a 350. Boy, that statement will get people riled up!

Happy towing,
Mike

 

So what were saying is

To avoid a fine, (and I know to check with my state)
I have to keep the truck and trailor and all contents under 20000#? And air bags will be a must. If not it will make for a better ride.

 

I've had several people suggest I put air bags on it.

What do airbags actually do for us?

 

Airbags limit the travel of the rear suspension and can be adjusted just like putting air in your tires. You put as much air as you need to make the truck sit level with the 5ver attached. When you aren't towing just let all the air out if you want and you are back to stock suspension. Simple and effective.

Friend of mine put them on himself and it only cost him a little over $250. Worth checking out.

Mike

 

I was told from a guy he knows of two other guys that had their's to bust. and is Firestone a good brand?
Thank you

 

I don't know anything about the brands. Sorry.