Hey guys, can someone explain to me the tow rating guide? What confuses me is the list of possible GCWR and the resulting tow capacity. For instance, it says for a F250 CC, 6.7, 3.55 a range of GCWR of 20600 to 25700 lbs. I understand the difference between with or without tow package, but how come the other values about? What would I need to order to get max GCWR on a Ford F250? I also understand that there's a huge difference between 4x2 and 4x4, or even more for a dually. Or a changed axle ratio. But in between one set of options?

If that has been explained somewhere else, just point me to it.

 

Also whether it's a 2-door, 4-door, axle radio, 4X4 or 2WD..... AND what tires you have to meet the weight. Also what package it comes with...tow package and/or camper package etc. It all adds weight. THEN you add the towed vehicle numbers.

 

Forget the tow guide. What really matters is the door sticker and what the truck actually weighs (which you can find out at the nearest CAT scale for about $10). Subtract the truck's scale weight from the GVWR on the door sticker and you have the remaining/actual payload capacity. More importantly for an F250, subtract the actual weight of the rear axle from the GVWRR (rear axle rating) on the sticker. This tells you what you can put on the rear axle. Nearly all 3/4 ton trucks will hit the max rear axle capacity (for tongue or pin weight) long before the max towing capacity.

Rob

 

@BPofMD
That is actually all in the tow guide, and even if you stay in one set (e.g. 4x4, SB, 18" tires etc) there's a range of GVWR. I would expect the GVWR is fixed and the payload changes depending on the weight of the truck, but not that the GVWR changes.

@Second chance
Thank you, yeah, you're right. We're still in the planning phase and debate whether we need a F250 or F350, and get the 5er accordingly. I understand that the sticker will be the final call, but the guide (it's a guide, not a certificate) should be helpful to estimate what the numbers might be. But it cannot be if I don't get it.
Great advice on the rear axle rating!

 

Someone on the Grand Design forum put it in a way I really like just a few days ago. He said to look at the GVWR on the fifth wheel. Use 25% of that for an estimated loaded pin weight. For the truck, multiply the actual rear axle payload (from the scales calculation) and multiply by 4 (since 25% of the trailer's weight will be on the pin) - that's the max GVWR for a fifth wheel for that truck. Our mid-profile 14K GVWR fiver weighs in at 3,100 lbs. on the pin. That maxed out our 2013 Sierra 2500HD CC D/A on the rear axle and is the reason we moved up a 1-ton DRW. Better safe than sorry.

Rob

 

That's cool. Thank you for that.

Btw, we're looking into getting a Grand Design Reflection, 307 MKS.

 

The 307 MKS lists a 1600 lb empty pin weight, and that will grow a hundred pounds or so from factory options, a battery or 2, and propane. That figure will grow more after loading the camper for a trip. Throw that pin weight on the truck, driver, passengers, and a 5th wheel hitch, and you easily be over 2000 lbs added weight. An F250 6.7 will weigh in around 8000 lbs, depending on model and options, with a maximum of 10,000 lb GVWR will only give you about 2000 lbs of cargo carrying capacity. You might want to consider an F350 with you decide to go with the diesel. We have a 6.7 Lariat F350, 4x4, SB, SRW, and our listed cargo carrying capacity is 3426 lbs with a 11,500 lb GVWR. With the pin weight of our Reflection 337 RLS at 2460 lbs (basement loaded, but not food or clothing) we only have 560 lbs left before exceeding our GVWR.

Without 4x4, and getting an XL or XLT with minimum options, along with the gas engine, you may get by OK with an F250. But for an extra $1000 or so, the extra GVWR is piece of mind for us, and should guarantee us no hassle with the po-po.

Plus, the F350 will allow for a bit of camper creep, which tends to happen a lot.......don't ask me how I know.

 

@mtnguy
originally we started out looking at F350 6.7 dually. But I feel that's a lot of truck when you're also want it for driving around, not just for the hauling part. But sifting through the excellent information on this forum, I'm now coming back to a F350SRW, especially as my husband would love having a Lariat.
And the 10,000 lbs option is dead. Learning as a go.

*sigh*

Would be a F350 SD SWR work? (w automatic slider hitch).

 

A long bed dually would be an awesome vehicle while towing. But we did not want to drive that type of truck on our sightseeing adventures......we wanted something that was easier to maneuver and park. Our F350 6.7, CCSB SRW with the 11,500 GVWR along with the manual B&W slider seems to do a great job. An auto-slider should also work well.