Did I pick the wrong tow vehicle?

[buckeyefan]

I’ve read the forums over and over again and thought I knew how to figure out what I can tow.
I am looking to move up to a 5th wheel, but want to know what would be a safe range for my truck.
I used the online calculators and if I understand my numbers, I’ve come up with a hitch weight max of no more than 1400 lbs and a trail weight of no more than 8900lbs.

I was hoping my 2010 F250 6.4L 4x4 3:55 Short bed can tow more, so I am hoping you can tell me if I am looking at it correctly.
Here are my numbers from the door:
GCWR=23000
GVWR=10000
Front GAWR=5600
Rear GAWR=6100

Actual:
Gross weight= 8632 lbs (me, wife, full tank)
Actual Front= 5140
Actual Rear= 3492

I am looking at a couple of 5th wheels that have dry hitch weights in the 1400’s lbs and in the 1900’s lbs.
The dry weights are 9500lbs and 10900 lbs respectively. They are between 32-36’ in length.

We will not be in the Rockies or anywhere that challenging.
We are usually no more than 200 miles from home with the Smokey’s as the hurdle to get over, but only 2 times a year.

Should I forget a 5th wheel and stay with a travel trailer?
Thanks for any input!

[MtnGuy]

Wow, that is 1 heavy truck. Are you sure you have the correct figures on your actual weight with you, the missus, and a full tank of gas ??? I didn't even know truck scales could could weigh down to the pound increments........mostly it is 20 lb. increments.

By those figures you can put 2600 more pounds on the rear axle, so you have some leeway with the hitch weights there. The GCWR should be OK with a 10,000 trailer. But the total GVWR is going to be the show stopper......by the numbers you have posted you can only add 1368 lbs. to the truck, ie hitch weight.

What cab configuration do you have ??

[Oakman]

Are you sure the scale where you weighed your truck is correct? My 2010 F250 Crew Cab 4X4 and 6.4 liter diesel comes in at 8160 lbs. with me, a full tank of fuel and a slider hitch in the bed. My truck was weighed on a CAT scale that guarantees the weight.

I know one other person who has the same truck only a 2008, his weights are:
Front axle 4940
Rear axle 3220
That inlcudes him, his wife, a full tank and the hitch in the bed.

I've seen plenty of people towing some really heavy trailers with these F250 Fords. However, if it were me, I'd try go with a fifth wheel with a dry weight at 10,000 lbs. or less.

BTW, my Wildcat has a listed hitch weight in their brochure of 1610 lbs. and I'm sure with all the "stuff" I've put in the trailer the pin weight is probably around 1800 lbs. My truck barely knows it back there.

[MtnGuy]

Looks like Oakman and I are on the same page, about a minute apart.

[bailer6334]

First look at Ford's towing guides. They usually state towing specs. As "dry" weights are not real life, I suggest you use 18-20% of the trailers GVW as what the pin weight will be for payload purposes.

[dezolen]

There are many 5th wheels you can pull with ease. Go for it. You won't be sorry.
By the way check my signature. More than happy and satisfied with towing the 5r

[lbrjet]

You will be over GVWR with either trailer so get the one you want. The truck should handle either one just fine.

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Looks like Oakman and I are on the same page, about a minute apart.

LOL, apparently you're faster on the keyboard than me.

[Sgt. Schultz]

Ford has a suggested max of 15K for your setup --https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2010/SuperDutyFifthWheel.pdf
It looks like you have 2600+ for usable RAW so it may be just be balancing of the load that will allow you to get to that 15k 5er

[EXGMTech]

that 3:55 gear ratio would concern me the most

[dezolen]

Originally Posted by EXGMTech

that 3:55 gear ratio would concern me the most

He is talking deisel truck hence the 3:55
Gassers tow with 4:10 or 4:30 gears

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by EXGMTech

that 3:55 gear ratio would concern me the most

That 3.55 gear was the lowest offered on the 2010 3/4 ton diesels. That's what I have in my truck and as I said in a previous post, my truck hardly knows it towing my fifth wheel. The 350 horsepower and 650 pounds of torque is something else.

[baldy]

Don't forget about all these new six speed transmissions. The axle ratios of old are not the same as they are today.

[Covfam]

Originally Posted by baldy

Don't forget about all these new six speed transmissions. The axle ratios of old are not the same as they are today.

Yes the new setups are a bit more confusing than the ol gear ratios for towing

For example my '06 Nissan armada has a 3.357:1 for its final gear and tows 9,000lbs w/ 5 speed transmission with tow/haul mode.

when i was younger you needed a minimum of 3.73 for medium towing. now it gets a lil confusing

Heck even new Chevy Silverado 2500HD uses 6speed w 3.73's instead of 4.10's!