I am looking to buy a camper this week, a 04 challenger around 30' long. Im concerned about the weight. My owners manual says that my 03, f350, v-10, auto trans, SRW, crew cab, 4x4 w/ 3.73 gears can only pull around 9900 lbs. This trailer is claiming to weigh empty 9780 lbs w/ 12700 total weight. I am wondering if i keep it lightly loaded, and im not driving in the mountains just a few hills here and there will I be alright or is this a big no no. I guess im hoping the trailer really doesnt weigh quite as much as they claim and that my owners manual has some safety factor in its rating. I'm looking to only pull this trailer maybe a few times a month & only within 50 -75 miles from my home. Please tell what you think, does alot of people pull beyond the manual limits? And should i not buy this trailer due to weight limits?

 

I think you will be fine with that weight... 4.30 gears would help alot though

 

You'll be fine. I have the exact same truck except in an F250 and have towed up to 12k lbs with it. My boat and camper together come in at around 11k lbs and other than the ocasional shift to 2nd on a couple 8% hills it does just fine. Even then I can maintain 65-70 up the hills although niether are more than a mile long. If you feel like you need a little more umph then do a gear job and switch them to 4.30s or 4.56s. The biggest thing to remember is when your backing up at the camper ground and find your self backing up an incline 4Low is very handy and takes a lot of stress off the trany.

 

Hey, I really appreciate the info, both posts so far has really helped ease my mind, thanks again.

 

I am very surprised that your setup is rated that low. It almost seems as if it were a marketing ploy to sell more Diesels.

 

I too am surprised, I figured it would be the same as a diesel as the suspension and brake components are the same. If anything the weight difference might have yielded a few more pounds in the gvwr.

 

I'm looking at the 2004 Specs for 250/350's and it says your truck is rated to pull 10,200#. The DRW is rated at 9,900#. I think these specs apply to your 2003 also. As far as the weight of the trailer, I'd guess it weights more than what they're saying. According to the specs again, you have a GCWR of 17,000#. Anything less than a full truckload of people gives you more weight carrying/pulling capacity towards your GCWR. The same truck with a 4.30 rear end is rated to pull 12,500# with a GCWR of 20,000#. All that being said I don't think you would have any problems with the combination you are talking about.

 

SLE and Mich sum things up really good. If your not in the mountains pulling big hills at altitude you'll have no problems. With a 2003 I believe you have the pre- torque shift transmission, just lock out your OD to prevent it from hunting between gears.

 

Super08, is right about the trans, like he said lock it out of OD and go. It'll turn about 2800 rpm at 70 wich isn't bad and if a down shift is needed with 3.73s, 2nd at 70 mph is only at 4k rpms. Hook it up and go!

 

I towed a 8000 pound fiver with a 4.6 F150 all last year. No issues. You should be fine with your setup.

 

wow 8k with the 4.6? thats impressive.!! i think you will be fine mkipper. that v10 will pull hard. just dont be afraid to let it run through the rpms. fords modulars are made to rev high and pull hard.

 

The Edge Evolution really helped a lot with that.

 

To tow anything safely, run the following numbers:

Take you GVWR from the door placard of the truck.

Take that number, subtract out the weight of the truck, full tanks of fuel, passengers, luggage, tools, toys, etc.

That will leave you with the number you can tow.

Take that number, subtract out the dry weight of your trailer, full water tanks ( 8 lbs x gallons), food, clothing, camping goodies, beer, and anything else you anticipate putting in the trailer.

After you do all this, hopefully you still have a positive number. If you don't, or it's too close, get a lighter trailer or a more robust pickup. It's really that simple. Oh.....and deduct 10% off your GVWR before doing any calculations if you tow in the Mountain West. Remember....getting the load moving is the easy part....getting it stopped (especially in a bad situation) is what's really important.

Good luck, and happy (safe) towing.

 

Frizlefrak,
You deduct all those weights from the GCWR not the GVWR.

 

You are right. I stand corrected. Thanks.