Towing a fifth wheel with 3/4 ton?

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by MagnoliaTom

Did you read the part about the differences between a 3/4 ton and 1 ton?


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yes, and I don't believe it. As far as Chevy goes, when I bought my 1 ton last year, there was a 3/4 ton next to it. I examined them both closely. 1 ton has more springs. Same ride height. My 1 ton was cheaper than the 3/4 ton, because leather seats don't add payload capacity

[AquaMan]

Pulled my same camper with both a 2011 2500 and with current 2013 3500 drw. Both pull exactly the same. The 3500 is more stable when it comes to big rolling bumps that want to porpoise the rig, this is the biggest difference. They both squatted the same 2". The 3500 doesn't quite hit the overloads (which I find annoying) so I load up the truck bed to squat it a but more, still more than level. The 2500 had 2600lb payload, 3500 has 4800lb. My pin weight is probably around 2300. I had/have no fear of ever stopping my 42' 5er, the trailer brakes alone will about throw you through the windshield if applied full. Why did I switch to 3500? The big rolling bumps (only hit 1 that ever made me the slightest bit nervous), wanted more a few more creature comforts, and got an excellent deal.


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[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by jtstromsburg

Heck I pull a 34tbok with an f350 with a gas burner! Pulls great, I can accelerate up any incline I've come up against, and I get to meet lots of nice people at all the gas stations I stop at.

[OldCoot]

My advertised pin wt is only 1075, don't know for sure as I've never weighted individual axles. Did a total wt in Mar on the SC state scales and the whole rig weighted 15,300. Had the bed loaded with 100 alum poles and fruit tho.

[MagnoliaTom]

Originally Posted by GreenImp

If I were going to intentionally tow over my payload capacity and/or my RAWR, I would be more concerned about upgrading my rear tires than adding airbags. Airbags only help the ride quality and the look (sagging). Every RAWR I have ever checked out was exactly equal to the weight rating of the original rear tires combined. This is obvious (to me) proof that the rear tires are the weak link. Upgrading the tires (and wheels if necessary) would actually add an additional level of safety that airbags do not. In the event of an accident and lawsuit, a good lawyer could easily convince a jury this method was acceptable (assuming you were within all other ratings). I can assure you that as a juror, I would take this "realistic" approach vs a "by the book" approach.

And now that I think about it...I wouldn't be surprised to find that the tires are another difference between the F250 and F350 models. I wonder what the weight ratings of the tires on the new trucks are.

I already have Michelin load E tires. Don't think I can upgrade much more than that


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[GreenImp]

Your tires load range index (the letter code) is nothing more than a designation of the tires design (sidewall construction).
Higher weight ratings come from (among other things) heavier sidewall construction. In the above post, I was referring to the tires specific weight rating (XXXX Lbs @ XX PSI). This rating can change from one tire size to the next within the same make/model tire. It can also change from one make/model of tire to the next within the same size and load range.

An example is the Michelin LTX A/T2 LT285/75R16/E 126 R is rated 3750Lbs@80PSI, and the Michelin LTX A/T2 LT245/75R17/E 121 R is rated 3195Lbs@80PSI ...both are Load Range E tires. In this example (which would require different wheels too, but it's just one example) the change would make a 1110 lb difference in the weight rating of the pair of tires. I have found that the 17" size seems to max out at 3195 lb though.

[MagnoliaTom]

Originally Posted by GreenImp

Your tires load range index (the letter code) is nothing more than a designation of the tires design (sidewall construction).
Higher weight ratings come from (among other things) heavier sidewall construction. In the above post, I was referring to the tires specific weight rating (XXXX Lbs @ XX PSI). This rating can change from one tire size to the next within the same make/model tire. It can also change from one make/model of tire to the next within the same size and load range.

An example is the Michelin LTX A/T2 LT285/75R16/E 126 R is rated 3750Lbs@80PSI, and the Michelin LTX A/T2 LT245/75R17/E 121 R is rated 3195Lbs@80PSI ...both are Load Range E tires. In this example (which would require different wheels too, but it's just one example) the change would make a 1110 lb difference in the weight rating of the pair of tires. I have found that the 17" size seems to max out at 3195 lb though.

I have the 17" tires with 3195 lb rating
😁


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[Mtelkman]

Just to add more info to the post, my '01 7.3L F250 has the exact same RAWR as the single rear wheel F350 of the same year according to the manual. Looking up parts on the RockAuto website lists the exact same rear end part #s with the exception of the axle spacer block. So at least for my year truck, the F250 and the single wheel F350 were virtually identical.

And to add to what GreenImp posted, the Michelin LTX load range E tires for my truck with 16" wheels show the 265 size having a max load of 3415 and the 285 having a max load of 3715. So obviously different load range E tires that have different weight ratings.

FWIW, when I weighed my truck and 8528rkws recently, I appear to be about 2-300# over on my RAWR. The advertised 1084 pound pin weight went up to 1550 pounds with 2 batteries, 2 full tanks of propane and a tool box in the front compartment. And mine is a Ultra Light unit! I am towing with a heavy 7.3L diesel F250 4X4. Many pull the same or heavier "1/2 ton" 5th wheel with a F150.

[MagnoliaTom]

Well I got the new fifth wheel and towed it home about 30 miles. No problems at all. I had to increase the gain on the brake controller but that was it. Drove and handled fine. After hitching up, the rear squatted about 2". Truck rides level. Of course both truck and trailer were empty but I feel good knowing the f250 is up to the task. I did just realize that my truck has overload springs just like a 350 😄


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