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Old Jan 21, 2021 | 12:32 PM
  #1  
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Towing question

Please bear with me. I always have bought the most capable truck available. Last one was a SRW F350 cclb lariat, 11,500 gvw. I use the truck to tow a fishing boat that is approx 11-12k total including the triple axle trailer. I also tow a wakeboard boat and a 24’ enclosed trailer on elk hunting trips.
I plan to get a bumper pull 24’ travel trailer in the future.
I HATE the long bed. It’s just too big for me in my situation. I am looking to downsize to a ccsb. I found a used 2019 with everything I want EXCEPT the high capacity tow package. I know that gives me f350 springs and the Dana vs Sterling axle. I have never approached my max load capacity in my 350, nor did I in my 2011 ccsb 350.
Would a regular f250 serve my needs, or would I notice the truck wallowing around when I am towing? I don’t use stabilizer bars.
What is wrong with the Sterling axle? Thanks
 
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Old Jan 21, 2021 | 12:39 PM
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Are you going to be able to make that work with the 10k GVWR? Most of the trucks people post have 2100lb payload at best in that configuration.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2021 | 01:07 PM
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Nothing wrong at all with the sterling. More about gear ratios in my opinion. Also, you may be giving up fuel capacity with the short bed. Not a sacrifice I'd be will to make for a little bit of extra maneuverability.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2021 | 01:55 PM
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I will add a titan tank. Did it on every shortbed truck I have owned. Gear ration is a 3.55. 2100 lb payload is my concern. Although my concern is about the reality of the limitation, not the theoretical limit.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2021 | 02:56 PM
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You would be hard pressed to notice a significant difference in ride quality or towing feel between a SRW 350, 250, or 250 HCTTP if the tires were identical and inflated to the same pressure and they had similar front springs. Sterling vs. Dana will have no impact. They don't even come into play when it comes to "axle rating" or GVWR. A 6.2 F250 with 4800 lbs. front springs and a Sterling rear end has the exact same same GVWR as a 6.7 F250 with 5990 lbs. front springs and a Dana rear end. That tells you a lot about the significance of GVWR. Both the Sterling and Dane are capable of significantly more than they are asked to do in this pickup truck application. And remember, that Sterling was the F350 axle prior to 2017. Deflection rates are only slightly less in the 250 main leaf pack. If the truck you are looking at has the camper package, it will have the same overload spring as a 350. A 2019 F250 likely came from the factory with E rated tires inflated to 65 psi in the rear. An equivalent 350 could have the identical tires, only inflated to 80 psi. Just increase the tire pressure if it's needed to give you the necessary capacity. Finally, the F350 gives you an extra 1,500 pounds on your GVWR (and payload theoretically) but only 890 on your RAWR. What I'm saying is, if you are okay with the 10,000 GVWR, an F250, mechanically speaking, sounds well suited to your intended application.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2021 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by JD'sBigredv10
You would be hard pressed to notice a significant difference in ride quality or towing feel between a SRW 350, 250, or 250 HCTTP if the tires were identical and inflated to the same pressure and they had similar front springs. Sterling vs. Dana will have no impact. They don't even come into play when it comes to "axle rating" or GVWR. A 6.2 F250 with 4800 lbs. front springs and a Dana rear end has the exact same same GVWR as a 6.7 F250 with 5990 lbs. front springs and a Dana rear end. That tell you a lot about the significance of GVWR. Both the Sterling and Dane are capable of significantly more than they are asked to do in this pickup truck application. And remember, that Sterling was the F350 axle prior to 2017. Deflection rates are only slightly less in the 250 main leaf pack. If the truck you are looking at has the camper package, it will have the same overload spring as a 350. A 2019 F250 likely came from the factory with E rated tires inflated to 65 psi in the rear. An equivalent 350 could have the identical tires, only inflated to 80 psi. Just increase the tire pressure if it's needed to give you the necessary capacity. Finally, the F350 gives you an extra 1,500 pounds on your GVWR (and payload theoretically) but only 890 on your RAWR. What I'm saying is, if you are okay with the 10,000 GVWR, an F250, mechanically speaking, sounds well suited to your intended application.
Well no they wouldn't. The 6.2 doesn't come with the Dana M275 in either F250 or F350 so that's out. If you option a 6.7 F250 with the HCTP ( Only way to get the M275 in a F250 besides ordering a 7.3 with 4.30 gears) you end up with a 10,800lb GVWR in a CCSB.
​​​​​​​
 
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Old Jan 21, 2021 | 10:21 PM
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A 24' camper is well within the F250's capabilities. You will be just fine. People tow bigger with a F150.

The Sterling axle is rock solid, and was the only choice from 1999-2016...lots of hopped up diesels out there abusing them with no issues.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2021 | 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by ford390gashog
Well no they wouldn't. The 6.2 doesn't come with the Dana M275 in either F250 or F350 so that's out. If you option a 6.7 F250 with the HCTP ( Only way to get the M275 in a F250 besides ordering a 7.3 with 4.30 gears) you end up with a 10,800lb GVWR in a CCSB.
That was a typo on my part and I corrected it. Thanks. The OP is looking at a 2019 so the max F250 GVWR is 10,000.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2021 | 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by ATC Crazy
A 24' camper is well within the F250's capabilities. You will be just fine. People tow bigger with a F150.

The Sterling axle is rock solid, and was the only choice from 1999-2016...lots of hopped up diesels out there abusing them with no issues.
this^^^^and then some.
my 2001 towed 2x of its rated capacity many many times.. According to the specs the front axle was overloaded with 4 passengers. It did fine for 19 years with a 1100lb 9.6' v plow on the front. The only reason I went with a 350 this time is because of the ambulance chasers. The 250 is a paper derate. Cj
 
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Old Jan 22, 2021 | 08:00 PM
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I just bought a F250 7.3 gasser 4x4 Crew. The payload is just over 3000 lbs and the towing is 10000 lbs I believe. Got it just for towing a 26’ foot TT at roughly 5900 lbs dry weight. These trucks are made for this. I have seen people use 150’s for same and do fine. I just wanted the Super Duty in case down the road a 5th wheel comes into the picture.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2021 | 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Germanrazor
I just bought a F250 7.3 gasser 4x4 Crew. The payload is just over 3000 lbs and the towing is 10000 lbs I believe. Got it just for towing a 26’ foot TT at roughly 5900 lbs dry weight. These trucks are made for this. I have seen people use 150’s for same and do fine. I just wanted the Super Duty in case down the road a 5th wheel comes into the picture.
The towing should be like 14,700 lbs., I believe.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2021 | 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by jdk1
The towing should be like 14,700 lbs., I believe.
😲......I need to recheck my stats on my truck!
 
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Old Jan 26, 2021 | 10:03 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by Sf jakey
...
Would a regular f250 serve my needs, or would I notice the truck wallowing around when I am towing? I don’t use stabilizer bars.
...Thanks
Just be aware that the 4x4 Fords sit 2" higher than the 2WD versions. If you look at the leaf springs you can see the 2" lift blocks. I would think that the lower the truck, the lower the center of gravity is, and the better the towing experience, buts thats my opinion.
Also here a link to towing guides Ford Towing Guides
And the use of weight distribution bars (stabilizer bars) should always be used for bumper pull trailers. Its a safety issue. They shift the applied weight forward in the truck and prevent you from fishtailing the truck in a sudden swerve. Here is a demonstration video
 

Last edited by markp59; Jan 26, 2021 at 10:08 AM. Reason: forgot something
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Old Jan 26, 2021 | 11:17 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by Sf jakey
Please bear with me. I always have bought the most capable truck available. Last one was a SRW F350 cclb lariat, 11,500 gvw. I use the truck to tow a fishing boat that is approx 11-12k total including the triple axle trailer. I also tow a wakeboard boat and a 24’ enclosed trailer on elk hunting trips.
I plan to get a bumper pull 24’ travel trailer in the future.
I HATE the long bed. It’s just too big for me in my situation. I am looking to downsize to a ccsb. I found a used 2019 with everything I want EXCEPT the high capacity tow package. I know that gives me f350 springs and the Dana vs Sterling axle. I have never approached my max load capacity in my 350, nor did I in my 2011 ccsb 350.
Would a regular f250 serve my needs, or would I notice the truck wallowing around when I am towing? I don’t use stabilizer bars.
What is wrong with the Sterling axle? Thanks
Your original post is unclear what the capabilities and limitations are with the used 2019 you are looking at. Piecing together some of your responses it appears to be a 250 with a 6.7 with 3.55's but it would be helpful if you list in one post all the known information on the unit you are interested in such as year, model, trim, engine, 4x4, rear end, actual payload from the door jam sticker (if known), etc. in order for the experienced folks here to provide you with their helpful insight. Each one of these variables changes the result in varying degrees. Also when you state you don't use to stabilizer bars are you referring to a Weight Distribution Hitch? I hope you get the answer you are looking for.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2021 | 07:04 PM
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I would rather have the Sterling axle, way more aftermarket support and parts are cheaper for it. They have been using it for 30 years and they rarely ever have problems as long as you keep them full of clean gear oil.
 
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