2000 F 250 V-10

[HOSSS2]

I have a 2000 f 250 v-10 4x4.I am looking at a fifth wheel,a Wildcat.Dry weight 9285,gvwr 12000.I am not of the weight rating on my truck.I guess what I am really worried about is if this truck will pull the trailer power wise.We really like the Wildcat but we are also looking at a Salem,dry weight 7545,gvwr 11285.Thanks in advance for any advice.

[HOSSS2]

I have a 2000 f 250 v-10 4x4.I am looking at a fifth wheel,a Wildcat.Dry weight 9285,gvwr 12000.I am not of the weight rating on my truck.I guess what I am really worried about is if this truck will pull the trailer power wise.We really like the Wildcat but we are also looking at a Salem,dry weight 7545,gvwr 11285.Thanks in advance for any advice.

[xc-mark]

your very close on pin weight , mostly what your going to carry in the bed. power wise you should be fine IF you have 4:10 or higher gears

[TXiceman]

I believe your 2000 F250 has a GVWR of 8800# per the sticker on the driver's door jamb. The truck in road ready form will probably weigh close to 7000#, maybe a little less. This will leave you a cargo or payload capacity of 1800# (8800-7000). A typical 5er will have a pin weight around 20% of the trailers GVWR. So a 12000# GVWR will result in a pin weight of about 2400# when fully loaded. This is about 600# over the rating for your truck.

The only way to know for sure is to weigh the truck in travel trim with all normal cargo and passengers and add 150# for a 5th wheel hitch.

GVWR - loaded truck = max loaded trailer pin weight.
GCWR - loaded truck = max loaded trailer weight.

The problem with a 3/4 ton truck is the limited payload capacity and the higher pin weight of a 5er. The truck can pull plenty, but will reach the GVWR long before you reach the GCWR.

You would be able to pull a larger TT than a 5er with yor 3/4 ton truck. A TT will typically havea hitch weight of 10 to 15% of the trailers GVWR.

Dry weight is a useless number as it is based on a base trailer and usually does not include any options such as A/C, microwave, batteries, awning and certainly no camping supplies or water or propane. The loaded weight can easily exceed the dry weight by more than 1000#.

You will see lots of folks pulling larger 5ers with a 3/4 ton truck. They were misinformed by the dealer, do not know anything about weight ratings or simply do not care.

A 3/4 ton truck can be used to pull a 5er, but you do need to watch the critical GVWR and payload issue. You will pretty much have a 3/4 ton truck at it's limit on GVWR with a 30 to 32' 5th wheel trailer.

Oh, by the way, glad to have you visit iRV2 and hope to see you often.

Ken

[sprintnut]

I have a 2000 F350 with a GVWR of 9900#. I am close to being maxed out towing my 30'Fiver. However I see F250's towing Fivers larger and heavier than mine all the time. Either the people are mis-informed or don't really care. For a difference of about $500-$600 you gain 1100# of payload by buying the F350. I heard all the answers about how well the F250 pulls but the weight overload is not mentioned. I'm not sure how or why there is such a increase in GVWR between the 2 trucks but at least the tag in the door covers you with the weight police.
Go figure?
Good luck.

[Rick A]

HOSS2, welcome to IRV2.com. I tow a Wildcat 31QBH with a 2005 F-250 V-10, 4X4, 4.10 rear. I am close on GVWR but not over, and well within my GCVWR. The truck does a great Job towing the trailer. What model Wildcat are you looking at? Also go to www.wildcatonline.com, this site is dedicated to Wildcat owners. You will find a lot of great and useful information specefic to Wildcats.