I just bought a gasser, a '95 F250, 5.8, E4OD, 3.55 gears. The trailer weights in the owner's manual just don't add up. All data following is for a 2wd, reg cab, auto, with 3.55 gears. The first weight is the GCWR and the second the max trailer weight:
This data comes from a 1995 manual and I looked at a 1996 manual that had the same listings. Is there any an explanation other than typo's? What would the real GCWR and trailer weight be for the F250HD? I'm planning to pull my 7700# gross bumper pull 27' travel trailer and just wanted to get an idea what kind of load this was for my truck. I have the weight distributing hitch and a friction sway control that I've never needed to use when pulling with my F-Superduty (F450). Do you think I will have to hook all that up for my F250?
Re: GCWR and trailer weight range don't make sense
well id say look in the door jam not the owners manual and id use the wd hitch just for safty
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88 F-250 body,550 rear frame setup, 7.3 idi, 3:73 dana 80 rear, srw, dana 50 front, heavy duty leaf springs, back up camera, 20$ wallyworld fog lamps, class 5 bumper hitch welded to frame and gusseted, 32" steering tires all around, ac power converter,jeep bucket seats, deezee runningboards (cab only),cobra 29 cb w/ 102" whip, 2 trucklight worklights on front stake pocket each side,high lift jack behind seat, toolbox for the junk, visor, running lights, 6600 lbs with all my junk
Re: GCWR and trailer weight range don't make sense
No that is not a misprint. Fords GCWR is a performance rating, not a legal or safety rating like so many people think.
Because the F150 has a lighter frame & lighter wheels & tires it can pull more. The fact that the F250 & 350 have bigger brakes, tires, & springs along with a heavier frame means they can't accelerate as fast with a 7600 pound trailer behind them. Soooooo...... They get a lower rating.
If I already had the WD set up I would probably use it. But I wouldn't bother with the sway control unless I found I couldn't get along without it. I have NEVER needed it in the past & don't think I will in the future.
Hook it up & see how it feels. The 250HD will handle it fine.
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97 F250 SC LB 4X4 PSD TDE0, E4OD,3.55's, 285/70/16"s ,Modified fuel tank vents, 375+k headed for 500k
Re: GCWR and trailer weight range don't make sense
Ditto.
The difference in the Ford ratings are simply the difference in the weight of the trucks. If the truck weighs more, it is rated to pull less. Silly, really, since the bigger brakes, stronger springs, and higher capacity tires definitly provide a better towing platform even if the engine and gearing are the same.
I had a '95 F250 with a 460, and towed a 6500 lb trailer and hauled a camper. When I just had the trailer and no camper the truck didn't even know the trailer was back there.
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'96 F250 S/C 4x4 4.10 auto, Tymar intake, 3-4" DP 4" exhaust, Edge Evolution, Hypermax IC, Autometer gauges, Hayden 679 trans cooler, Airlift bags w/compressor and in-cab controller, built trans from KTS, Rancho 9000's, 19.5" rims and tires.
'97 F350 C/C 4x4, 3.55 auto.....just starting to mod
Lance 921 camper, 9.5' w/slide-out
'88 Jeep Cherokee, 4dr pick-up conversion rock crawler, D44/D60, Warns, CTM's, 37's, etc.
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