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First if I could have bought a 350 and not worry about the tax difference etc. I would have. That being said I have been reading till my eyes are dry and can not get a real answer.
I have looked up part number etc etc. and the only difference I can find is the rear overload springs. Axel is the same yet payload is ~1k more on a similarly equipped F350.
I am looking at a 5th wheel toy hauler ~14K GVWR ~10k dry and ~2k pin weight. I plan on air bags and rear sway bar. If I have say 2k loaded in the toy hauler I assume this will lower the pin weight a bit but I am still confused with all the different limits. It would still be under the rear axle and tires max lb's. I do not have max towing option. Sticker just says 10000#, plow package, and ultimate tow.
If we have to we can look at TT haulers but prefer the 5th wheel for safer towing.
So what is the question? You are correct on the springs. The f250 is also de-rated for tax purposes...meaning it’s capable of more than the sticker says.
If it has a 2k pin weight I would 100% go f350 or f450.
The F250 is NOT the same as the F350 anymore. The springs aren't the same. Get the high capacity Tow package with an F250 and forget about it. THEN you get the Dana M275 axles the F350 comes with, heavier springs, overloads, and a door sticker that doesn't show the real capacity so you won't pay the $$$ some states require for licensing.
My F250 can't hardly even tow that. I'm limited to 12,500#. You'll need 4.30 gears to get the 15,000# tow rating. I've been pretty good at keeping TT's empty and light. But that's some serious weight. 10,000# empty, plus 1000# error in manufacturing means that thing could be 11,000# easy, empty! That's a big girl. I figure my normal light weight camp gear setup for 2 people and maybe 2 guests is around 1000#. https://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/17RV&TT_Ford_SuperDtyPU_r2_Sep29.pdf
That doesn't sound like fun at all. I'm curious, because when I was looking at TT's last week, a 23, 26, and 30 all have about the same features, the 30 just had more wasted space. I didn't see the point. I think I'm going to stay as small as possible (23) so I can drive faster and fit in tighter spots. If I'm lucky I'll stay under 67% of my 12,500# tow rating (8,375#).
My F250 can't hardly even tow that. I'm limited to 12,500#. You'll need 4.30 gears to get the 15,000# tow rating. I've been pretty good at keeping TT's empty and light. But that's some serious weight. 10,000# empty, plus 1000# error in manufacturing means that thing could be 11,000# easy, empty! That's a big girl. I figure my normal light weight camp gear setup for 2 people and maybe 2 guests is around 1000#. https://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/17RV&TT_Ford_SuperDtyPU_r2_Sep29.pdf
Do you already own that trailer? How is a trailer that big, fun to tow? I'm curious, because when I was looking at TT's last week, a 23, 26, and 30 all have about the same features, the 30 just had more wasted space. I didn't see the point. I think I'm going to stay as small as possible (23) so I can drive faster and fit in tighter spots. If I'm lucky I'll stay under 67% of my 12,500# tow rating (8,375#).
No we have not decided on a trailer yet. We are still researching. My towing weight is 14700#
I used to avoid 5'ers because I haul an adventure bike in the truck. But it looks like my adventure bike trips will all be cabin, hotel, and tent now. I might only need a trailer for Key West diving, and regular camping. So I'm going to reevaluate 5'ers. But for the most part, I don't think anyone makes little 20-25' 5ers anymore. I'm trying to stay as small as possible, but with a larger shower. A shower, and a hard wall to escape other peoples generator noise are my only real requirements.
But a 5'er might not work well off road, and they cost more than little TT's.........
I have looked up part number etc etc. and the only difference I can find is the rear overload springs. Axel is the same yet payload is ~1k more on a similarly equipped F350.
.
The F350 with 18" or 20" tires has one extra main spring. The overload that is standard on the F350 can be had on a F250 via Camper Pkg or Heavy Capacity Tow Pkg.
The F350 also comes with the 6R140 tranny vs the 6R100.
In a gas model, they do both come with same rear axle. F350 diesel get the Dana 275 and the F250 diesel would get the Dana when opted with the Heavy Capacity Tow Pkg
Just look at the brochure. At the back is a chart with the carrying capacities based on cab, 4WD, bed size etc.
Just do not exceed that and you will be fine.
Just remember when talking pin weight you add the weight of your hitch, whatever you put in the basement and the front compartment.
That can easily be another 300 lbs.
Air bags and stabilizing bar may make it feel like it is handling it better. Whether or not it actually adds to the carrying capacity will be up to the lawyers to figure it out.
For me, when we went to a 5er, we went with a 350 PSD LB SRW. Our 3/4 T bowtie only had a carrying capacity of 3000lbs. it was just too close for comfort.
Orion1968, what you ask is a good question. Legally, you cannot tow what you propose. But the truck is more than capable of doing so, with the airbags and sway bar upgrade you stated you would be doing. RV's are not targeted by DOT/DMV/State police so the legality would really not be an issue. Plenty of people will talk about an accident / insurance situation, but the insurance will always pay. They just might cancel your policy after a claim.
For 2017, the F-250 has rear leaf springs with a slightly softer spring rate. It also is missing the overload spring. The camper package or HD tow package would add that overload back in, but you said you didn't have these.
You didn't mention if you have a gas or diesel. I'd imagine a gas crewcab base 250 would have a payload of 3k lbs or better. A diesel crewcab would be around 2300lbs or so.
Most 250's have the carryover Sterling 10.5" axle. Many people seem to think you need the new Dana M275. You need to keep in mind this same Sterling 10.5" axle was used in all F-350 single rear wheel diesels in the previous generation. It is a totally proven axle and can easily handle the weight of your 5th wheel.
Another option would be to have F-350 springs installed on your truck. You would need to buy the complete spring pack and u-bolts. The cost would be between $700-800 and would include the overload. The door sticker wouldn't change, but your truck would now be every bit as capable as an F-350.
First if I could have bought a 350 and not worry about the tax difference etc. I would have. That being said I have been reading till my eyes are dry and can not get a real answer.
I have looked up part number etc etc. and the only difference I can find is the rear overload springs. Axel is the same yet payload is ~1k more on a similarly equipped F350.
I am looking at a 5th wheel toy hauler ~14K GVWR ~10k dry and ~2k pin weight. I plan on air bags and rear sway bar. If I have say 2k loaded in the toy hauler I assume this will lower the pin weight a bit but I am still confused with all the different limits. It would still be under the rear axle and tires max lb's. I do not have max towing option. Sticker just says 10000#, plow package, and ultimate tow.
If we have to we can look at TT haulers but prefer the 5th wheel for safer towing.
My dad has been towing a 14k pound boat with F250's since 1993. The first one was a 1989 F250 extended cab with the 351 and C6 transmission. The latest is a 1999 F250 extended cab Super Duty with the 7.3L Powerstroke. Both trucks towed the boat like a champ with well over 2000 pound tongue weight. You'll be just fine with what you're proposing.
The F350 with 18" or 20" tires has one extra main spring. The overload that is standard on the F350 can be had on a F250 via Camper Pkg or Heavy Capacity Tow Pkg.
The F350 also comes with the 6R140 tranny vs the 6R100.
In a gas model, they do both come with same rear axle. F350 diesel get the Dana 275 and the F250 diesel would get the Dana when opted with the Heavy Capacity Tow Pkg
So the f350 diesel has a different tranny than the f250 diesel?
You will be fine if you add airbags. I also have the overload on my rear springs but never touched it with the bags. I hauled this camper 5k miles this yr in all kinds of weather and it was a non issue. Get a good sway bar for the rear and some bags and you will be good to go. I normally saw a 2500lb pin weight with it loaded. I have a level on the front and with bags it was always perfectly level. From my weight slips i was under factory axle ratings, which are lower than the actual axle ratings, and tire load ratings. Those are the numbers to be concerned with, the payload number, in my opinion is not to big of a factor in my planning. Weigh your truck in multiple configurations so you know the actual numbers.
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