Beefing up a F250

[bighamstoy]

Have an '02 F250 4x4 7.3 diesel XLT Crew cab short bed (hope that's enough info). Can this truck handle a 5th. Wheel with around 2500# at the pin with some suspension mods? I pull a 35' toy hauler travel trailer and want to step up to about a 36-38 foot fifth, but was hoping my truck could be made to do the job (it's paid for)...

[jamesrxx951]

After looking at the diesel supplement guide for you truck, it looks like you have a maximum of 10000 LB trailer weight with a max GCVW of 20K. However for 5th wheel towing it says "Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum weights can be calculated by subtracting the GVW from the GCWR".

[450Donn]

You just cannot make a silk purse out of a sows ear, no matter how many bobbles you dangle on it.

[KSCRUDE]

Slap on some air bags and go for it. Same truck as a F350 minus higher blocks on the rear axle. If you want F350 blocks and the longer u bolts just let me know as I lowered a 08 And 05 F350 by putting on F250 blocks as they are too high for my use. Just got a 13 F250 with the overload springs and it sits just like my other F350s do. And it is rated for over 2500 on the pin. If you have the overload springs it will help and you may not even need air bags. The overload spring come standard on the 350 single wheel, and come with the camper package on a F250.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by 450Donn

You just cannot make a silk purse out of a sows ear, no matter how many bobbles you dangle on it.

Exactly!
In order to know if you can modify the vehicle to tow/carry more weight then the factory allows you would need to go through every piece of running gear: wheels, tires, brakes, axles, springs etc and determine the lowest rated part and upgrade it. Then do it again till everything that needed upgrading was upgraded. Even then you wouldn't be legal unless the factory issued you a new weight sticker. Been there and done that, have the new weight sticker to show for it.

[1ciderdog]

Originally Posted by bighamstoy

Have an '02 F250 4x4 7.3 diesel XLT Crew cab short bed (hope that's enough info). Can this truck handle a 5th. Wheel with around 2500# at the pin with some suspension mods? I pull a 35' toy hauler travel trailer and want to step up to about a 36-38 foot fifth, but was hoping my truck could be made to do the job (it's paid for)...

Back around 2000 I had a F250 with the 7.3 diesel and a 36 foot King of the Road and I pulled the 5th wheel. I added air bags to the rear axle because the truck was paid for and I didn't want to buy a bigger truck. The F250 pulled the 5th wheel OK but it sill sat low in the back. After one long trip I upgraded to a heavier duty truck and it was well worth it. So my guess is you can do it but I'd think not the best option. Just my dos centavos.

[jtstromsburg]

I pull a 13.5K 40' fifth wheel with about 2700lb pin weight with my 05 F250 CC SB 4x4 lariat powered by a gas burning V10. Added bags and run them about 58lbs and it hauls/pulls great. I'm over gvwr, but very comfortable driving it and stopping it. I'd say it depends a lot on your towing experience, but you should be fine until the funds allow a TV upgrade. I'll go for A 1T drw when its time to change vehicles.

[Muddypaws]

They have the same transmission, brakes, rear end, and almost everything else. Air bags and shocks (Rancho or Bilsteins IMHO) will help. If you're handy with a wrench the air bags are not too hard to install. Get the on board compressor, it's worth it!

You will have to deal with the dirty looks from everybody on the road who thinks they know something. You could buy a couple of F350 badges..... But you can't turn it into an actual F350 as far as the laws are concerned.

I replaced my OEM brakes with slotted rotors and Hawks ceramic pads. What a difference! It feels like it can actually stop now.

[RustyJC]

Can you do it? Yes, I suppose, but you'll be substantially over the truck's GVWR and likely rear GAWR as well as GCWR ratings. Should you do it? Well, that's ultimately your decision. Personally, I wouldn't. A 40' 5th wheel is just too large a stretch for a 2002 F-250 for my tastes. In fact, I suspect that a 2002 F-350 dually couldn't handle it within all of its ratings.

Rusty

[TXiceman]

Sure you can prop up the F250, and paint anything you want on the side of it, but you will still have an F250 and F250 ratings. I recommend a larger truck or a smaller trailer.

Ken

[caissiel]

The older F250 can carry more weight in the box due to lighter frames then the 2005 and above. I Have a 2005 F250 capable and able to tow 15000 lbs.
My comfort comes from 2 additional spring plies and not loading the helpers. It rides like a buckboard if the helpers are loaded.
The F350 SRW has more lift to allow the springs to drop more while allowing the drive line and universals to line up.

The trailer with 2700 lbs pin load could work well. But you will need to treat the truck like it's loaded. I always treat mine well and never see any alarming situation
Ratings are always for the protection of the manufacturer. It's your truck and you will feel the load. My F250 engine is loaded at 60% while towing compared to my previous 98 GM loaded at above 85% most of the time for 9 years and no mechanical problems.

The more you add on will only create a ripple effect. Respect the truck for what it is and it will return the service.

[Roam America]

Too many trucks running overloaded many years ago led to the weigh stations. the day will come that all of us RV'ers will be sitting in lines at the weigh stations along with the trucks. troopers won't care if it "pulls it just fine". ya'll came try and justify it all day long. at the end of the day your are just that - overloaded.

[BigBaron]

Originally Posted by bighamstoy

Have an '02 F250 4x4 7.3 diesel XLT Crew cab short bed (hope that's enough info). Can this truck handle a (big) 5th. Wheel with around 2500# at the pin with some suspension mods?

Yes, but... (see above)

[jdpm]

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