Towing Capacities - Diesel Forum

JWilson · 08-07-2005, 04:30 PM

Hi Guys, Forgive me for asking but... Would someone please explain why the trailer towing capacities listed in the owners manual change depending on reg.,super, or crew cab and 2or4wd. My guess would be something to do with length of driveshaft and the transfer case. Thanks for the help. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Acetcruiser · 08-07-2005, 05:30 PM

i think its because of the "curb" weight of the truck

Joshs1100 · 08-07-2005, 06:54 PM

Weight of the truck. You won't know your actual "by the book" towing capacity until you load up all your gear and get the actual weight of the truck. Most of the time, actual max towing capacity is much less than advertised.

SmokeyWren · 08-07-2005, 07:22 PM

Yep. It's because all the F-250s have the same GCWR, so the heavier the truck the less capacity is left for towing.

CrewCabs are heavier than smaller cabs, so CrewCabs have less towing capacity. 4x4s are heavier than 4x2s, so the 4x4s have less towing capacity.

The Ford towing capacity chart is based on the assumption that your truck will be buck naked and have nothing in it but a skinny driver. It's also based on the assumption that the limiting factor for your towing capacity is the GCWR (total combined weight of trailer and tow vehicle).

Both assumptions are misleading - especially the fifth-wheel towing capacity of an F-250 PSD. Because your wet and loaded tow vehicle will weigh a lot more than their assumption. And the GVWR, not the GCWR, will probably be your limiting weight rating for a heavy fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer.

Example:

2005 F-250 CrewCab 4x4 PSD Lariat long bed with all the toys. GCWR is 23,000 pounds. GVWR is 10,000 pounds. Ford's "maximum towing capacity" for a 5er is 15,900 pounds.

Ford assumes that wet and loaded pickup is going to weigh 23,000 minus 15,900 = 7,100 pounds. But in the real world, with a full load of fuel and driver and one companion plus a toolbox full of tools, a cooler full of cool, a spray-in bedliner, and a 5er hitch, that tow vehicle is going to weigh several hundred pounds more than 7,100. Probably over 8,000 pounds. 23,000 minus 8,000 leaves 15,000 max for your trailer.

But don't celebrate yet. 5ers that gross 15,000 pounds could easily have a kingpin (pin or hitch) weight of 20 percent, or 3,000 pounds. The GVWR of that pickup is 10,000 pounds, minus 8,000 pounds for the weight of the wet and loaded tow vehicle, leaves only 2,000 pounds for max hitch weight. So sorry about that 15,000 pound trailer. You must back off to a trailer with 2,000 or fewer pounds hitch weight when the trailer is loaded for bear. 2,000 pounds of pin weight translates into a 5er with a GVWR of around 11,800 pounds.

So if you don't want your tow vehicle to be overloaded, then ignore Ford's "tow ratings" and compute your own. After you weigh your wet and loaded tow vehicle. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

And when looking at RV trailers, ignore all the weights except one - the GVWR. Forget trying to compute how much the trailer will gross after you load it up. Use the GVWR of the trailer and you'll probably be really close to the actual weight of a loaded RV trailer on the road. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]

JWilson · 08-08-2005, 04:50 PM

Thanks Smokeywren, Very usefull and helpfull info. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

huskyhauler · 08-11-2005, 08:43 PM

THANK YOU SMOKEY!! i hate seeing guys overloading there trucks. sure my 7.3 PSD has enough power to tow 25 million pounds, but does it have enough bakes, wheelbase, and frame ? that is the real question.. to many guys take there 250 and try to tow a 32' playpen with it. sure they are only 2k over GVCW, but guess who fault it is if you are in an accident?? YOURS!! and if you kill someone, even if they crossed the yellow line and were drunk??? YOURS!! not worth it if you ask me. i would rather have a smaller trailer than a big cell mate named bubba who wants to know if i want to be the husband or the wife..

heinzboy · 08-11-2005, 11:33 PM

[ QUOTE ]
THANK YOU SMOKEY!! i hate seeing guys overloading there trucks. sure my 7.3 PSD has enough power to tow 25 million pounds, but does it have enough bakes, wheelbase, and frame ? that is the real question.. to many guys take there 250 and try to tow a 32' playpen with it. sure they are only 2k over GVCW, but guess who fault it is if you are in an accident?? YOURS!! and if you kill someone, even if they crossed the yellow line and were drunk??? YOURS!! not worth it if you ask me. i would rather have a smaller trailer than a big cell mate named bubba who wants to know if i want to be the husband or the wife..

[/ QUOTE ]

How would you know if a truck is overweight by looking at it?

People are going to overload there trucks. The 04 F250 I had was at its imit at 8800pds. Throw some dirtbikes,fuel,gear,tools,drinks and pals and I have an overweight truck. Its not very hard to overload a truck.