I've read through a bunch of threads, here and in the towing forum, but can't find my answer... Hoping there's a towing expert out there that will be able to help.

2005 F350 5.4L 4x4 Crew Caw SRW Auto 3.73 axle with the camper package, and the Ford hitch. Tow command package as well.

I've read the owner manual and the various stickers on the door & hitch. Doors says the GVWR is 10600lbs. Hitch receiver says Class V, with a max weight carrying of 500lbs for the tongue/5000lbs gross trailer weight.

I need to tow an old car 2600 miles - car weighs about 3000lbs empty. Trailer rated for 6000lbs, 2000 lbs trailer weight empty.

So if I go get a tongue rated for 10000lbs and a hitch ball rated at 6000lbs can the truck take it ? The GCVW is around 13500lbs - I'm heading to a scale this morning to find out what the truck weighs with a full tank and a couple of passengers - would think somewhere around 7500lbs ?

Any insight would be helpful - I'm a rookie to towing and don't want to become a statistic. Thanks -

Rob

 

GVWR is the most your truck can weigh when carrying a load. GCVW is the most your truck AND trailer can weigh.

When I select tow hitches and gear, I generally add 1-2K pounds to be over what equipment I'm towing. This gives me a small saftey margin.

From what you have posted you should have no problems. Be smart and slow down early, if you can, to prevent problems.

 

You have a factory tow rating of 9100 lbs.

Your hitch is rated for up to 15,000 lbs.
Any Class V hitch is rated for over 10,000 lbs and over 1200 lbs tongue weight.

You may have been looking at the rating on the bumper.... There will be a sticker on the reciever hitch itself showing the rating.

You will have no trouble towing a 5,000 lbs car/trailer.

 

HeavyAssault - thanks.

Ffomocofan - I was looking at the sticker driver's side of the receiver's crossbeam - white sticker, says class V in a box and bseide it has 2 pairs of numbers:
Weight carrying = tounge 500 / trailer 5000
Then another set for Weight Distributing - which I don't think applies, does it?? - that quotes the numbers you have of 1200/10000

I far as I understand the weight distributing has to do the the set-up on the trailer right? Or do I have that from the factory ??

Still a bit confused I guess...
Rob

 

You have the heaviest duty hitch available. A class V is the top of the line! It can tow up to 15,000 lbs with the weight distributing hitch.

A weight distributing hitch is a special ball mount (trunion hitch) which has load equilizer bars going to the trailer tongue...

Don't worry about all that...Your hitch can haul as much as the ball mont that you use!

Just check the rating on your ball mont (the part that slides in the receiver) and your ball...that will be the lowest rated piece on your setup!

 

I am with fomocofan. Class V receiver is good for 15K. You have to watch the ball mount though. Ball mount is the part that comes out of the square tube with the ball bolted to it, since you are new to this. The mounts come in different drops and categories. You can fit a 2" Class III ball mount in the class V receiver, but the ball mount will be your weak link at 500lb tongue weight with a 5000 lb rating, class IV usually rates at 1000 lb tongue weight with a 10,000 lb rating. The smallest you will get that will fit in the receiver is a class III. Class I and II are not 2".

From the sounds of things, you are right around the limit for class III with a 3000lb car on a 2000 lb trailer. Can't speak to the tongue weight, but I doubt it will be a problem. I have towed around a Bobcat that weighs more than the car with a heavier trailer without any problems with the v10 and same gearing. I doubt you will have any problems.

Take it slow and remember you will be much longer and heavier with much more momentum. Lane changes give yourself lots of room, and try to allow much more room in front of you to stop. Oh, you will probably want to swing a bit wide on the right hand turns so you don't drag the trailer across any curbs.

 

Here is a great link to get more info that Ford uses for it's recommendations. This can get confusing, if you have more questions just post, we will help you out.

h ttps://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2005/2005_default.asp
(cut and paste, remove the space after the H in "http".)

 

Thanks everyone - will be heading to a specialty shop to pick up the ball mount and hitch ball just to be on the safe side...

Headhunter - if I read your post right I should be getting a class IV ball mount and should keep clear of the class III, right ?

Cheers all,
Rob

 

All ball mounts will have a rating stamped on them...the ***** too..Just pick the correct style/drop and weight rating.. I would go with the heaviest one you can find..the cost is not much difference. You could go as high as 12,000 lbs on a ball mount and ball...In your case you need atleast 6,000 rating...which would be the lower end of the scale for a 2" or 2.5" with sleeve reciver!

 

Thanks again guys - I'm going to have a service done on the truck before venturing from Ontario to Oregon to pick up a 66 Merc Monterey and bring her home, and I'm wondering if I should have the stealer put in a heavier weight oil ?

I'm going to have the driveline and all fluids checked out, just wondering if there's an optimal weight oil for long tows ?

Rob

 

Just stick to the recommended Motorcraft 5w20. These engines have very tight tolerances...You will be fine.

biz

_______________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s

 

Thanks biz4two -

Rob

 

Sure thing silvercc! Have a safe trip...

biz

 

Silvercc, thanks for getting the info BEFORE you went out towing. I see too many people out there towing far too much with far to little. Take it easy and plan ahead and you'll be one of the safest people on the road.


Kudos to you!!

 

seventyseven - I figured since this was the first "big tow" and was going to be the better part of 2,600 miles I'd get all the answers up front. The only thing left is to figure out US Customs on the export side and Canada Border Services Agency for the import - but so far neither is a big deal. Some forms, some GST and some waiting...
Other than that and a pre-trip service, I'm good to go.
Thanks to everyone who chipped in with answers / advice -

Rob