Read through about every post on towing here and have come to the conclusion that the stickers are BS. Haven't bought the 5th wheel toy hauler trailer yet, but looking at several options and looking for opinions from the experts.

Tow Vehicle: 2017 F-250 Lariat with Ultimate package, FX4 4x4 CCSB, 6.7L engine, 3J rear axle, 3.55 ratio, 20 in aluminum wheels with LT275/65R20E All terrains.
For Reference: Front GAWR - 5200 lbs Rear GAWR - 6340 lbs, Payload - 2178 lbs. Has tow tech bundle but not the HD Tow package.

Planned hitch is B&W Turnover ball with Companion Slider (20K rating) - about 300 lbs installed. Willing to add air bags to counter sag.

Trailer: Under consideration are dry weights from 10,500 to 12,700 lbs with GVWR in the 15,500 to 17,000 lbs range. All the king pin weights are running 2250 - 3150 lbs. Ideal trailer would be 12,400 dry, 16,500 gross and 2,450 king pin. Will haul two 850 lb ATVs, plus associated crap...

Last towed a 16,000 lb GVWR 5th wheel, with 2009 F-350 CCLB, SRW, using B&W non-slider....never had a problem.

Bottomline - can my truck safely haul the ideal trailer listed above?? If I use the Ford numbers, the answer is no, simply due to king pin weight. Not looking for the legal answer...looking for the practical.

Thank you!!!

Eric

 

I am by far not an expert but in my humble opinion the answer is Yes the truck will pull it, but not safely. The engine and drive train have the power to do the job but the suspension and over all weight of the truck is just to light to manage the weight in any situation other than traveling down a straight, flat road with not wind. If any situation were to occur you would be putting yourself your passengers and anyone on the road with you in danger. All the power to pull but not enough weight to stop.

 

It's not the matter of pulling it, it's the important matter of stopping it. especially all loaded up truck and 5th wheel.

 

Yes. The truck can safely handle that.

 

There is a good reason why the truck is not rated to carry or tow that kind of weight.

 

Yes there is. It's because it's a 250 and underrated on the sticker to fill the class 2 truck segment. It has nothing to do with it's physical design.

Eric, I would feel comfortable with the weights you are considering. Try to find a hauler with lower pin weight if possible. Mine can get upward of 20k with the garage loaded but the pin ever exceeds 2800#.

 

The truck is identical to my SRW 350 rated to tow 20,600lbs with the exception of the "slightly" softer springs in the rear and the axle. BUT, the 10.5" is rated by Visteon at 9,750lbs. Ford rates it lower to stay in a certain class. Hook the trailer up and roll.

 

^^^^^^^^^^ Rodney and UGA are 100% correct. The 250 and 350 have all the same components, save the rear springs; which can be mitigated by airbags or some other form of helper/overload springs. Find the 5er's with a little lighter pin weight and you are good to go.

 

Way over weight both in payload and GCWR. Yes you will pull it, but controlling it and stopping it is a different story. Safety first please!

https://www.ford.com/resources/ford/...U_r2_Sep29.pdf

Sorry, but I would not want you following me on the road with that set-up.

 

I thought the brakes were the exact same on the 2017's?

I understand why Ford derated the truck for certain states, but most states don't have those issues. I want to tow within the physical capabilities of the truck, not be restricted by some arbitrary legal numbers that aren't based on fact or engineering.

Eric

 

The brakes are the same Eric and when it comes to towing, the trailer brakes stop the trailer. As Josh said, the only differences between your truck and a SRW 350 are the rear axle and a lower rear spring rate. The axle is rated way higher than the truck so supplement the rear springs if needed and you're good to go.

 

If safety is what you are concerned with, you are starting out way down the priority list. Ratings have a much lower correlation to actual safety than the person holding the steering wheel. I would much rather have a driver who is alert, focused, manages speed, and maintains his truck and trailer at 110% of ratings in front and and behind me than someone driving a dually at 50% of ratings who is texting and driving. The very fact that the OP is asking questions and informing himself puts in the educated and mitigating class of drivers who I am happy to share the road with.

The Dodge dually driver on I-80 who I passed a couple of weeks ago because he let his fifth wheel come off the hitch and slide down the shoulder is NOT a person who I prefer to share the road with. If you're going to talk about safety (ie, actual S A F E T Y), lets talk about what matters.

 

Yeap the truck will handle the load, the f250 is pretty much identical to the 350 except for the paperwork, axle and leaf spring pack .. legal, no but it can handle it just fine

 

Truck will handle it no problem. Just watch the rear axle weight and your tire ratings. I sneak up on the tire ratings when I hook up my 15k toy hauler.

 

Nope. Ratings of the TV/trailer are #1 because they are determined without even driving and should be considered before purchasing.