Community Forums

DaveTN · 03-30-2013, 12:59 PM

Is there any resource on the net that lists towing ability by vehicle in 1 place? My expedition may get passed on to one of the kids and if we got a fifth wheel I could buy a truck to match the trailer we buy. We would like to get a 5th wheel that could sleep 6, real queen bed (not short), but also keep it under 12 feet height and 30 feet length as we really like TN state parks with tight spaces.

BFlinn181 · 03-30-2013, 01:17 PM

A quick google search turned up this:

Truck and SUV Towing Capacity Charts

I can't vouch for its accuracy. Best is to look on the driver's door edge of anything you are thinking of buying, followed by a careful read of the owner's manual -- BEFORE you buy the truck. Don't believe anything the salesman says!

RustyJC · 03-30-2013, 01:51 PM

Best to go straight to the source to get ALL the info you need (including GVWR and GAWRs). For the Ram pickups, it's the Ram Body Builder's Guide.

Rusty

bradufault · 03-30-2013, 09:20 PM

Trailer life magazine puts out a Truck towing brochure every year that does the basic analysis and stat on all trucks. Good place to start.

puttin · 03-31-2013, 03:46 PM

Dave,

Unless your Expedition is too old or you just don't like it anymore- you could get one of these and keep it.

Deluxe Automated safety Hitch System | The Automated Safety Hitch

Oldme · 03-31-2013, 04:02 PM

One of the advertisers here also have this:
TrailerToad.com

TXiceman · 03-31-2013, 05:20 PM

All three of the major manufacturers have towing websites, Just be sure and read all of the fine print for the limitations.

Ken

tuffr2 · 03-31-2013, 05:50 PM

I am not sure trailer towing guides (again guides) tell the whole set of towing limits. Seems to me what is lacking is the wieght the TV can carry.

I am sure I saw where (for example) a F250 SRW of course can tow a max of a 18,000lb 5er.

Now I know from this forum that is a bogus number. That a F250 weighs 7,700lbs and stuff, tools, driver, fuel, dog, DW, 5th wheel hitch etc. The wet truck now weighs 8,400lbs. That probably leaves a max of 1,600lbs that the truck can carry.

1,600lbs is not much pin weight and is easy to exceed with a 5er that weights just 10,000 lbs.

I do not know where they get the 18,000lb number. They must pull it out of their butt as a 18,000lb 5er will greatly over stress the tires, axles, etc of the truck.

iawoody2 · 04-01-2013, 09:14 AM

I just weighted my new 13 F250 super crew 4wd powerstroke with hitch and me in it was 8200lbs. The listed tow rating is 15800 and gross combined 23500.

RustyJC · 04-01-2013, 10:06 AM

23,500 (GCWR) minus 8,200 (laden curb weight) means you're down to 15,300 tow rating just with you in the truck. Any additional passengers, cargo, etc. has to be deducted from that 15,300 lbs as well.

Since you have an F250 though, the chances are you'll hit your GVWR long before you reach the tow rating (even the adjusted one). Subtract the 8,200 lbs laden curb weight plus any additional passengers, cargo, etc. from the truck's GVWR and you'll have the amount of pin weight your truck is rated to carry.

Rusty

JayC · 04-01-2013, 11:14 AM

Here is one resource-5th wheel ST (Safe Tow)

iawoody2 · 04-05-2013, 10:08 PM

I have made several passes over the scale at the co-op. My setup is 2000lbs under the CGVW, and 600lbs under the rear axle rating. But 600lbs over the GVW. I am a retired engineer from John Deere and know a thing or two about heavy towing. I made a contact with my friends at Ford. The biggest thing is not to go over the rear axle rating, next the CGVW, and that going some over on GVW is not going to be a problem. The F250 is rated at 10000 with all the normal suspension, but doesn't take into consideration the extra heavy springs and shocks of the heavy towing packages.
I know this should cause quite a stir.

RustyJC · 04-06-2013, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iawoody2

I know this should cause quite a stir.

Not really. We have a number of apologists who think it's OK to tow over their truck's ratings. Not all of us agree, however, and recommend that the truck be sized to tow the desired RV without exceeding ANY of the truck's ratings, which is precisely what the manufacturers state in their towing guides.

Rusty

iawoody2 · 04-06-2013, 06:48 AM

All I'm saying is the axle ratings on the door pillar are 5940 front and 6100 rear which adds up to 12040. The rear weighted 3200 which leaves 2900.
I am not apologizing for anything. I am saying that things are designed to withstand overload to a degree. Just because it says 10000 doesn't mean it will break at 10050.
I helped design hitches and drawbars for the large John Deere tractors. When we stated a tow weight of 27000 lbs it was tested for several hundred hours at 35000 because we know our customers well.