I wanted to start a discussion of this topic. I am a professional truck driver and just took possession of my new 2017 F350.

This means Gross Combined Vehicle Weight. It is the total weight of your truck and trailer going down the road with it loaded.

My truck is a gas F350 with a rear axle 3.73 SRW long box. If you look at the Ford towing chart, its GCVW is 19,500. It says the towing capacity (5th wheel) is 12,000.

What you do is take your truck, fill the gas tank. Put the people you will have in the truck (in my case just me), and go over a scale. I still need to put a 5th wheel hitch on the truck but it came out to be 7568lbs.

Subtract the gross vehicle weight from the gross combined vehicle weight and that equals 11,932. So I can only tow that but that is less than the posted maximum. The Ford number is just an estimate. It is this actual number that is important and legal. When I add tools, hitch etc it will be less.

Then to check payload max you do this. My truck was built as a 11,500 max weight truck and you subtract the actual weight of 7568 and you get 3932lbs. So when you attatch a fifth wheel (could be bumper pull) and about 15% of your trailer loaded weight will be put on the truck (pin weight), which for argument a trailer of 10,000lbs total (loaded) will be 1500lbs. This truck will take that easily with a payload available of 3932. Remember it is not a good idea to push things right to the max of 11,932 as you will never know for sure exactly what your trailer weighs as it varies with fresh water, black water etc..

I am not getting into the F250 owners with a 10000 GVW or a F350 with the downgrade. I have chosen not to go that route as in my work, I adhere to the driving laws at all times.

I just wanted to explain how it worked using my truck as a guide. I understand that I did not put this in the towing area but wanted you to have a basic primer. I hope this helps you chose your truck.

 

the 12,000 number is what Ford has as the limit for their protection
the legal GCWR is based on your drivers license you need a CDL to exceed 26,000 GCWR
this was explained to me by state police in PA. it may vary in each state but by fed std it is based on Drivers license

 

All manufactures now set tow ratings according to the SAE j2807 standard. It pretty much states that you will be restricted by one of the following ratings GVWR, GCWR, or GRAWR. Just Google it, it gives the test criteria. I'm sure Ford keeps long term durability and safety in mind as well to protect its warranty and liability. They have to cover the guy that's pulling 12k everyday under the worst possible conditions such as steep grades and high environmental temps.

 

Just so you understand, I was only talking about the truck and its legal weights according to the manufacturer.

What license you need to tow a trailer is a different story. In British Columbia, I am legal to tow a trailer over 10000lbs because I have what we call a Class 3 license (with air) or you need a class 5 with a RV Trailer Endorsement. But your truck still needs to be legal. I was just trying to get the average driver an understanding of what these means and how it applies to the F350. If you drive outside of the manufacturers numbers, you are driving in an unsafe manner. Not getting into any legal issues. Just wanted you to understand how these numbers are calculated.

Don't get distracted by the license issue. To be sure about what license you need, contact your local DMV office for the laws that apply in your area.

 

I know I shouldn't jump in here... but...
J5911 you are only kind of correct. By your definition, I could mount a 5th wheel hitch on my Prius and legally tow my 15,000 lb trailer. I don't think so.

Here in Nevada, a 'J' indorsement will allow you to tow a combined gross weight of 26,000 lbs. IF, the equipment used has a combined tow capable weight of that 26,000 lbs. I'm now towing my 5th wheel with a gross weight rating of 10,995 lbs. When I had my 2013 F350 with 10,000 lb max weight, I was towing over weight by about 350 lbs. This was because my gear and pin weight brought the truck weight to 10, 350 lbs. 350 lbs over the truck weight rating.

Also, here in Nevada, you can get a Class A (not CDL) and tow 26,001 lb and above. So not every state requires a CDL for over 26,000 lbs.

The law doesn't care how many mods you've done to make your truck 'look' like it can handle the weight. They ONLY care about what the sticker says on the door post.

Vancouverbrian is right on the money with his explaination.

John

 

I never said to exceed the GVWR. If your truck has 11500 they weigh your truck axles and you cannot exceed that, then they weigh your trailer GVWR. if you don't exceed that your are legal. so your truck 11500 and your trailer is 14500 and you weigh less they will not fine you. and if you add these up they are 26000, yet the F350 6.2l 4.30 has a GCWR of 23000 but you are still legal. fords towing guide is not law, just a guide if your license restricts you to 26001 don't exceed it you will be fined. also can you explain how all of these trucks towing trailers with the back dragging the ground never get pull over and the fact that you have a half ton pulling 13,000 pounds yet the truck is NOT capable of towing it safely. and fords towing guide is claiming it can.

 

only good in Nevada

 

Not true. As long as you are NONCOMMERCIAL, your home state licensing requirements apply in all 50 states. When you cross the line to COMMERCIAL, the CDL is a federal license with one set of requirements that apply in all 50 states.

 

every state will be slightly different. Every state allows for the home state guidelines.


As an example, here in Maryland I can carry whatever # I want for registration purposes. Additionally each trailer has its own registration.


RV is all exempt in any combo as long as you don't go past the magic 26K rule. Past 26K then you have the option for a non-commercial CDL or a Class A CDL.


All of this is complicated and each person should research home state rules and that is the go-by.

 

In California you have to have a non-Commercial class A for anything over 15000 lb or a TT of 10K, a class C, standard license, is limited to a 9000lb trailer or a single vehicle of 10000 max including tow dolly.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/de..._htm/lic_chart

 

yes each state has a set of rules I am with you but as the nevada rule and PA rule doesn't apply in say Texas. I have read thru some states and made my trailer decision based on that. Oregon doesn't allow a trailer over 40 ft in length yet Manuf. still keep telling you that it will be fine to pull them, so everyone needs to read up on this. and not rely on these forums for gospel

 

States have reciprocity if you are legal in the state you are licensed in you are legal in all states. The laws in each state I.E. Cali only applies to California residents. If your state allows you to tow a 23000 lb trailer with a standard license you can tow in any state, the only thing that may be limited is towing doubles. What they can get you for is being overweight though. In some states you can legally dark tint your drivers and passenger front side windows, in California we can't, they wont stop you with an out if you have an out of state plate, we can be ticketed and forced to remove the tint.