What tow vehicle do I need > Sanibel 3250

[wmcclay]

Here is my weights
tv rear axle 2980 mt 5660 loaded= 2680 pin weight, rated 6600
tv front and rear loaded 9760 genny and firewood
trl with gear 3/4 tank water full propane and food for a week
13,760 rated 15,441
trl right hand both axles 4900
trl left hand group 5900
axles rated for 7,000 each
entire unit on scale 20,700

You can find out what your unit pull at trailer life online. I am a little over gcvw. Does it concern me? perhaps a little. Do I need a 350? I am within recommended axle and tire capacity's, over on gross.
The decision to pull with a 250, 350 srw or 350 drw is yours to make.
We are out on the road a lot 25,000 to 30,000 miles per year.
I do have a commercial class A lic with doubles, triples and tank endorsements.
If I was to by a new tv I would consider a 350 srw. Very little difference between a 250 and srw 350. I am not sure of all the differences but they are few.
You do need accurate weights and specs on your present tow vehicle and the trailer. Make your decision based on facts not what works for me or anyone else. If the dealer will not weigh the trailer before purchase, find another dealer. I was aware before hand that I was pushing the weight limits, so I ordered my unit without auto level up, genny, to keep the weight down.
When you are 55 foot long and weigh 21,000 lbs and almost 13 foot tall you must drive very defensively what ever your tv is.

Most of all enjoy

Wayne

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by Team Wilhelm

Thanks Dave. Where is the best place to look and find this weight info on trucks you mention ? Or is this just your base knowledge from your experience ? Thanks...Ron

There's a comparison of F250 vs F350 with cab config, drive and wheelbase in terms of max cargo weight on page 4 of this link... http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...typu_sep11.pdf

It doesn't factor in trim level but a more optioned truck will have lower cargo capacity as it'll weigh more.

Dave

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by Team Wilhelm

Thanks for your info. Really appreicate it. A Question. How the does the axle ratio work in that the higher the better ? You mention a 4:10 better than a 3:73 ? I need to understand why as I'm trying to learn. Also I'm guessing a daully is more stable because it's wider ? Thanks...Ron

Ron. If you were to look at a tow rating guide, it will show that if equipped with 4:10 gear the towing capacity goes up. This is due to the engine a transmission combo being able to pull more because of the higher gear ratio. Lower ratios will still do it but, it puts extra strain on the drive train which can raise engine, trans. temps. And, yes, dually is better for stability in windy conditions or when being passed or passing large truck/semi combinations.

[jbrostek]

Originally Posted by Team Wilhelm

Thanks JB. I'm leaning towards a F 350 SRW. The DRW gets too wide if you ask me. The 3600 and the 3250 weigh about the same I recall. When you weighed it at 14K was that with the 5th unhooked to truck or not ? Thanks...Ron

That 14k was taking the weight of the truck off the ticket. I don't have the weight ticket, but I found in my truck notebook comments of 14230 trailer, pin 2275#. Which sounds about right to me. I know I am a little closer to RAWR because I carry a 45 gallon secondary tank, and when that is full, it takes up some of my CC.

[upsman]

I have a Sanibel 3050. Weighing in around 12,000 pounds. I'm pulling it with a 2013 Silverado 2500 HD extended cab. Pulls it very easily at 70 mph with cruise set !'


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[nicmar]

I have a 2014 F250 diesel. Purchased a Crusader CKT. Very nice floor plan even has a king bed.

[Salmon Hunter]

IMHO you will be close with a F250 but I would do it.

[Ductwerks]

I have a sanibel 3600 12600 pounds. I have a 2011 f250 crew cab diesel pulls no problem, but I think if you do long trips a dully would be better for stability.

[jbrostek]

12600 is the dry weight before adding propane or anything. Even with a 2014 F250, I dont see the capacity for the pin, fuel for the truck, etc. I am not saying a DRW is needed, but I am not sure I could tow my trailer to FL on a F250 with the amount of stuff and fuel I carry for the trip.

[RollingDownTheHighway]

this is an interesting thread. I'm curious why everyone recommends a dually when towing a 5'er. I get the "wide hips"/stability, but is that the only reason? I went camping labor day weekend and there were about 20 or so 5'ers in the CG ranging from 20' up to a 42' Open Range and only 1 TV was a dually. I saw trucks from f250 to 3500 Silverado towing these things. So is a dually just a personal preference when towing a 5'er?

[RhoZeta]

As has been stated many times all over these forums, you will run out of cargo/pin weight long before towing capacity, especially on an F250.

*Most* Newer F250 GVW is at 10K, and the SRW F350 is at 11.5K
Which is great for pin capacity as the SRW F350 only weighs 100~200 lbs more than comparable F250 which nets you an additional 1300~1400 lbs cargo cap.