Community Forums

djkarau · 08-15-2011, 10:30 PM

I recently purchased a new 2011 F350 Lariat Diesel, crew cab, 6'9" box, SRW. The truck is rated at 17,000 for 5th wheel towing.

Most of the 5'ers that we are interested in are in the 34' range, 12,000 lbs empty and GVWR of 15,000 lbs.

My question is whether or not a single rear axle is OK for a 5'er weighing in realistically at 14,000 lbs (2500 lbs on the pin) when fully loaded for travelling and in and around 38' pin to bumper?

We are looking at travelling around 10,000 mms (6,000 miles) per year with the unit.

Arch Hoagland · 08-15-2011, 11:40 PM

I see an awful lot of them on the road. You couldn't get a much bigger pickup.

I think you'll do fine.

W4RLR · 08-15-2011, 11:59 PM

The numbers work out, and I see plenty of other fivers that size being towed by single wheel pickups on I-10 every day. Enjoy.

rfhtlh · 08-16-2011, 04:23 AM

what is the gross combined weight rating (GCWR)?

BCooke · 08-16-2011, 05:12 AM

17k is not one of the standard tech specs for F350s 5er towing (ford sd listing), just double check the number. My v-10 was close on a 13k unit. The diesel should do fine. The extra hp and the big move in torque will really help. I will find out for sure this weekend as we will be towing the 5er with the new diesel on a 5/6 percent grade this weekend.

RustyJC · 08-16-2011, 06:35 AM

With a SRW truck, you'd better check the vehicle GVWR and rear axle GAWR closely - with the pin weight transfer of a 5th wheel, you'll exceed one of those before you ever reach the "manufacturer's trailer tow rating".

Yeah, a lot of SRW trucks are towing heavy 5th wheels, and a lot of them are exceeding their GVWR. Sorta the "But Mom, all the other kids are doing it!" rationale, I guess.

Rusty

cutrell01 · 08-16-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djkarau

I recently purchased a new 2011 F350 Lariat Diesel, crew cab, 6'9" box, SRW. The truck is rated at 17,000 for 5th wheel towing.

Most of the 5'ers that we are interested in are in the 34' range, 12,000 lbs empty and GVWR of 15,000 lbs.

My question is whether or not a single rear axle is OK for a 5'er weighing in realistically at 14,000 lbs (2500 lbs on the pin) when fully loaded for travelling and in and around 38' pin to bumper?

We are looking at travelling around 10,000 mms (6,000 miles) per year with the unit.

I have a 2006 Ford F-250 diesel short bed and pull a 12,000lb empty Travel Supreme 5th wheel. I had a Fifth Airborne extended hitch pin put on the RV and put Firestone air bags on the truck and it pulls very nicely. With a short bed truck you either need and extended hitch pin or a slider (or both) hitch in bed of truck to make sharper turns. I do not have slider and have had no problem, just have to be careful in your turns. Fifth Airborne pin has air bag and shock absorber built in and really cuts down on bouncing and jerking of RV. Your F-350 should pull what you are looking at, however it is very easy to overload a 5th wheel because most have so much storage outside and inside.

Paul R. Haller · 08-16-2011, 11:49 AM

I'm with Rusty on this one. Consider buying a dually.
-Paul R. Haller-

Cat320 · 08-16-2011, 07:04 PM

Forget all the "pulls fine" posts, any diesel pick up, of any size, will "pull fine." Forget the brochure's 17k 5th wheel tow rating. The true tow rating of ANY vehicle is the GCWR minus the weight of the tow vehicle when ready to tow. The weak link of any SRW drive P/U is the ability to carry the heavy pin weight of a big 5th wheel. You can get the cargo capacity by looking at the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the left side of the truck frame, usually around the driver's door.

I'm with the consider a dually crowd...or a lighter 5th wheel.

TXiceman · 08-16-2011, 08:08 PM

Ditto on what Rusty said. A SRW will not carry as much pin weight as a DRW...end of discussion.

Now there are a lot of folks out there pulling way over the GVWR and or rear axle GAWR and do not know better...just because someone said they do it and are OK or the salesman said it would work.

My advice is to weight the truck and work out the real numbers, not the jacked up tow ratings and then see if you are comfortable exceeding the ratings on the truck.

Ken

djkarau · 08-16-2011, 11:01 PM

I totally agree with most of the advise here, I have been watching very closely to ensure I stay a fair distance from the GVWR, GCWR and max payload.

My main concern is with the wind buffiting the side of the trailer and putting excessive side load on the tires. I'm wondering if anyone has towed with a 35+ foot trailer and had any problems with SRW blow outs.

Paw John · 08-17-2011, 02:12 PM

I owned a 2001, F250 and towed a 2004 Mobile Suite 36' fifth wheel ( 36TK3 ). Total GVW of truck and trailer was 24250lbs. and had no problems towing are with wind moving my truck and trailer. I did upgrade my truck to a 2002 F350 4x4 dualy this year. Only reason to get 4x4, So upgraded to a one ton also. I'm very happy with the upgrade. I have not pulled any montains yet , but will probly upgrade the exhaust to 4'' or 5'' with exhaust brake from Banks. Look forward to Rving full timing when the Wife and I retire. Thats if our Washinton A**H**** don't screw us over too bad. But thats another Blogg. Good luck and happy trails

Donr827 · 08-18-2011, 01:31 PM

I tow a 35 foot HH fifth wheel LS series with my 08 F350 SRW with a short bed truck. I am within all of the weight perimeters. The trailer weighs around 12,000 pounds has a pin weight of 2,400 pounds. Fine towing and stopping. I do have the heavy duty brake option.
Don

djkarau · 08-20-2011, 08:56 PM

According to the door stickers and Ford:

GVWR = 11500
Max Rear Axle = 7000
Max Payload = 3450
GCWR = 23500
Max 5th Wheel = 15600

Assuming truck is around 8000 lbs (Yes I'm going to take it to a set of scales!)
Wife, dog, myself, full tank, plus crap inside truck = 600 lbs + 250 lbs for 5th wheel.

Therefore...11500 - 8850 leaves 2650 for the pin.

I'll never be close to the 7000 lbs on the rear axle

23500 - 8850 = 14650 for trailer/gear.

Is my math correct on this?