Fifth Wheel Towing Capacity

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Jul 10, 2004 | 10:06 AM

eddieh

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Fifth Wheel Towing Capacity

I have a 250 6.0 3.73 short bed (w/ sliding 5th wheel) and have a 30' 10K fifth wheel and am thinking of getting a 35 ft 13K fifth wheel. The concern to me is the 2100# pin wt on suspension, not the overall GVWC or ability to pull. I see MANY of these on the road being towed with 250's. I have asked Ford dealers, read all the specs, asked rv dealers, and get answers all over the place from no problem, ok, to definitely not, to add a spring or "helper" type rubber load assists. What actual experience do others that are pulling a heavier fifth wheel having?

Jul 10, 2004 | 10:30 AM

brad diesel

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i now have an o4' drw F-350 to pull my 33' tahoe toyhauler 5th wheel. i did have a 99 F-250 4x4 ,my truck had a 6" skyjacker w 37" swampers, also did the axle flip and bigger tires on the trailer. it was a short bed so it had the slider hitch. worked great for 2yr's, its just that when i decided to get a new truck i wanted the dually and it has a 6" procomp lift with 35" tires (315/75/16 MTR'S)
the only trouble i had was the inferior tourque coverter in the 99's but the AST triple lok is the answer,that is one awsome coverter!

Last edited by brad diesel; Jul 10, 2004 at 10:33 AM.

Jul 10, 2004 | 10:35 AM

bilter

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My cousin has a 13K fithwheel that he pulls with a 2500 series GMC equiped with a uramax diesel. He has had no problems what so ever and is currently on a trip from Maine to Alaskw with it. He rencently returned fro a trip from Maine to Col and Arizona. Noe trouble at all from the truck..........and he is driving a GMC

Jul 10, 2004 | 02:53 PM

johnsdiesel

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From: Denton,TX

Remember, nothing you add to the suspension, engine, etc. will increase the rating of the truck. You should go get the truck weighed when it's fully loaded with fuel and passengers and that will give you the exact amount of payload you have. Is the 2100# and 13000# the dry or loaded weight?

Jul 10, 2004 | 05:23 PM

eddieh

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13000 is the GVW of the 5th wheel ( about 11000 dry). The 2100 is the dry pin weight. The truck weighs about 6900 with fuel loaded.

Jul 10, 2004 | 05:29 PM

johnsdiesel

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From: Denton,TX

I think you've answered your own question, it's too heavy. I too see many F250s and for that matter, SRW F350s towing fifth wheels that are way to heavy, but that doesn't make it any safer.

Last edited by johnsdiesel; Jul 10, 2004 at 05:35 PM.

Jul 10, 2004 | 06:14 PM

eddieh

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Seems to be very close though:
gvwc combined rating can be 20,000
gwwr rating can be 8,800
gvw of truck would be 6900 actual + 2100 pin = 9,000
gcwc would be 13000 (laoded 5th wheel) + 9000 = 21,000
???????