Max Towing off the bumper with 3.31
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2011
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Max Towing off the bumper with 3.31
Reading the owners manual it looks like 12K lbs????
I've got a 4x4 FX4 w the 3.31 gear....and mine came with the class V hitch.
Would you go over the 12 to 14-15K lbs???
I really don't think what I'm going to tow is over 14K and its just going to be a 1 or 2 time thing. Less than 50 miles round trip and 1 little hill to climb and go back down. I'm thinking it will be OK...I'd just like someone else to say so or NOT 2. LOL
Thanks
j
I've got a 4x4 FX4 w the 3.31 gear....and mine came with the class V hitch.
Would you go over the 12 to 14-15K lbs???
I really don't think what I'm going to tow is over 14K and its just going to be a 1 or 2 time thing. Less than 50 miles round trip and 1 little hill to climb and go back down. I'm thinking it will be OK...I'd just like someone else to say so or NOT 2. LOL
Thanks
j
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 824
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From: Maryville (Mur Vul), TN
Reading the owners manual it looks like 12K lbs????
I've got a 4x4 FX4 w the 3.31 gear....and mine came with the class V hitch.
Would you go over the 12 to 14-15K lbs???
I really don't think what I'm going to tow is over 14K and its just going to be a 1 or 2 time thing. Less than 50 miles round trip and 1 little hill to climb and go back down. I'm thinking it will be OK...I'd just like someone else to say so or NOT 2. LOL
Thanks
j
I've got a 4x4 FX4 w the 3.31 gear....and mine came with the class V hitch.
Would you go over the 12 to 14-15K lbs???
I really don't think what I'm going to tow is over 14K and its just going to be a 1 or 2 time thing. Less than 50 miles round trip and 1 little hill to climb and go back down. I'm thinking it will be OK...I'd just like someone else to say so or NOT 2. LOL
Thanks
j
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
The smallest used on these trucks is a 2", 12,500 lb hitch.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
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It isn't an issue if your 3.31 rear axle ratio will or won't handle it; it will with ease.
However, your hitch itself will be your limitation.
My 2" receiver hitch is rated for 12.5k only with weight distribution.
It's below 6k without WD.
I thought the 2.5" receiver hitch was rated for 14k?
Of course that's with WD and if you're using the 2.5" ball mount shaft (not using a 2" reducer).
However, your hitch itself will be your limitation.
My 2" receiver hitch is rated for 12.5k only with weight distribution.
It's below 6k without WD.
I thought the 2.5" receiver hitch was rated for 14k?
Of course that's with WD and if you're using the 2.5" ball mount shaft (not using a 2" reducer).
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Maryville (Mur Vul), TN
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap width="9%"></TD><TD class=normal noWrap width="20%">Class I </TD><TD class=normal noWrap width="20%">Class II</TD><TD class=normal noWrap width="20%">Class III</TD><TD class=normal noWrap width="20%">Class IV</TD><TD class=normal noWrap width="20%">Class V</TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap bgColor=#ffff00>Gross Tow Weight</TD><TD noWrap>2,000 lbs.</TD><TD noWrap>3,500 lbs.</TD><TD noWrap>3,500 - 6,000 lbs.</TD><TD noWrap>4,000 - 10,000 lbs</TD><TD noWrap>5,000 - 14,000 lbs.</TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap bgColor=#ff0000>Tongue Weight</TD><TD noWrap>200 lbs.</TD><TD noWrap>300 lbs.</TD><TD noWrap>350 - 600 lbs.</TD><TD noWrap>350 - 1000 lbs.</TD><TD noWrap>500 - 1,200 lbs.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
There are the Numbers Gents...
Where the weight disrtabution comes in I do not know. I do not use a WDH ....
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Posting Guru
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There is an easier way to see what your hitch specs are. On the hitch receiver you will find a label on the right side. Mine says with a weight distributing hitch my max weight is 16,000 lbs. with a tongue weight of 1,600 lbs., without a WDH, it is 8,000/800. What I thought was funny was on the right side it said this: "with adapter" and a WDH it is 12,500/1,250 and straight weight is 6,000/600.
As for the truck's capabilities with a 3.31, from what I have read here, I don't think that is a limiting factor.
As for the truck's capabilities with a 3.31, from what I have read here, I don't think that is a limiting factor.
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First look at the sticker on the inside of your drivers door and it will give your limits. The 2011 f250 and 350 SRW with 3.31 or 3.55 axles are all 14,000 lbs with the 2.5" receiver. (Some of the early trucks came with the 2" receiver and I think they are 12,000#) If you look at the sticker on the hitch I believe it says a limit of 16,000#.
It all depends on what the lowest rated part is in your setup.Hitch is 16,000, Ford limited truck to 14,000#. If your ball is rated to 10,000# then that is your limit, which seems to usually be the limiting factor from the set-ups I have looked at.
As someone else stated you need a weight distribution hitch to go to the max weight. I think he was right with the 6000# limit without it. This seems to be overlooked a lot.
Marauder I think we were typing at the same time
It all depends on what the lowest rated part is in your setup.Hitch is 16,000, Ford limited truck to 14,000#. If your ball is rated to 10,000# then that is your limit, which seems to usually be the limiting factor from the set-ups I have looked at.
As someone else stated you need a weight distribution hitch to go to the max weight. I think he was right with the 6000# limit without it. This seems to be overlooked a lot.
Marauder I think we were typing at the same time
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
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First look at the sticker on the inside of your drivers door and it will give your limits. The 2011 f250 and 350 SRW with 3.31 or 3.55 axles are all 14,000 lbs with the 2.5" receiver. (Some of the early trucks came with the 2" receiver and I think they are 12,000#) If you look at the sticker on the hitch I believe it says a limit of 16,000#.
It all depends on what the lowest rated part is in your setup.Hitch is 16,000, Ford limited truck to 14,000#. If your ball is rated to 10,000# then that is your limit, which seems to usually be the limiting factor from the set-ups I have looked at.
As someone else stated you need a weight distribution hitch to go to the max weight. I think he was right with the 6000# limit without it. This seems to be overlooked a lot.
Marauder I think we were typing at the same time
It all depends on what the lowest rated part is in your setup.Hitch is 16,000, Ford limited truck to 14,000#. If your ball is rated to 10,000# then that is your limit, which seems to usually be the limiting factor from the set-ups I have looked at.
As someone else stated you need a weight distribution hitch to go to the max weight. I think he was right with the 6000# limit without it. This seems to be overlooked a lot.
Marauder I think we were typing at the same time
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
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You need to buy your ball mount shaft and ball from a place that specializes in the heavier towing equipment.
I have not found anything above 5,000 or 6,000 lbs at my local Walmart, AutoZone, etc. locally.
Without WD then it doesn't really matter since I have a 6,000 lbs limit with the 12.5k hitch but I would rather not be in the 90% range of a piece of equipments capabilities.
(I work in IT and we consider upgrades at 75% utilized so I apply that same rule to equipment such as this.)
I'm not saying they don't carry the heavier products in some places, just not my area so I had to use a local company that does specialize in this equipment.
I have not found anything above 5,000 or 6,000 lbs at my local Walmart, AutoZone, etc. locally.
Without WD then it doesn't really matter since I have a 6,000 lbs limit with the 12.5k hitch but I would rather not be in the 90% range of a piece of equipments capabilities.
(I work in IT and we consider upgrades at 75% utilized so I apply that same rule to equipment such as this.)
I'm not saying they don't carry the heavier products in some places, just not my area so I had to use a local company that does specialize in this equipment.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
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I think the key point everyone is saying is make sure you do a Dirty Harry "A man has got to know his limitations" or my favorite Chuck Yeager saying "it's the man, not the machine"; in other words, make sure you do your homework on what your tow limits are.
When I first started towing back in the 80s' a guy sold and installed a hitch for me that was way too light for the trailer I told him I would be towing. Lucky for me, the cheap ball he installed snapped as I started to move the trailer for the first time. After that I did my homework on the components that make up the tow package (truck, hitch and trailer). The only regret I have is that I wished I took the time to learn more about 5th wheels! Would have gone that route instead.
When I first started towing back in the 80s' a guy sold and installed a hitch for me that was way too light for the trailer I told him I would be towing. Lucky for me, the cheap ball he installed snapped as I started to move the trailer for the first time. After that I did my homework on the components that make up the tow package (truck, hitch and trailer). The only regret I have is that I wished I took the time to learn more about 5th wheels! Would have gone that route instead.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
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From: Pflugerville, tx
You need to buy your ball mount shaft and ball from a place that specializes in the heavier towing equipment.
I have not found anything above 5,000 or 6,000 lbs at my local Walmart, AutoZone, etc. locally.
Without WD then it doesn't really matter since I have a 6,000 lbs limit with the 12.5k hitch but I would rather not be in the 90% range of a piece of equipments capabilities.
(I work in IT and we consider upgrades at 75% utilized so I apply that same rule to equipment such as this.)
I'm not saying they don't carry the heavier products in some places, just not my area so I had to use a local company that does specialize in this equipment.
I have not found anything above 5,000 or 6,000 lbs at my local Walmart, AutoZone, etc. locally.
Without WD then it doesn't really matter since I have a 6,000 lbs limit with the 12.5k hitch but I would rather not be in the 90% range of a piece of equipments capabilities.
(I work in IT and we consider upgrades at 75% utilized so I apply that same rule to equipment such as this.)
I'm not saying they don't carry the heavier products in some places, just not my area so I had to use a local company that does specialize in this equipment.
and not much more ($25) than for 8000 lbs ($14)..
and I don't understand this.. I need a gooseneck ball, 25,000lbs, and its like $85.. for a tiny bit more material..
sam
Posting Guru
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Wonder how they pulled that off? The tensile strength of the metals involved always drove a good portion of the price. Wonder how much liability insurance is involved in the price as well.