F250 diesel towing 33' 5th wheel

[BigBay]

New guy to 5th wheeling here. I have done my research and checked the specs on my truck and all is well as far as weight goes. Our new 5th wheel is in getting prepped now for pick up in a couple of weeks. I just want to ask if anyone has a similar truck and 5th wheel (33') what towing it is like. I have ordered an automatic slide hitch so I do not have to worry about backing it up (one less thing to think about) Any info would be great. Thank-you.

[B and B]

Hello

On my Second fifth wheel here. Need a little more information as believe it or not you might be over weight. Need Cargo Capacity of the truck, trailer GVWR and dry weight.

Not all trucks, even a F 250 SD Diesel are created equal.

[BigBay]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The specs are:
Trailer GVWR:13,870 lbs
Dry: 10,309 lbs.
Truck:
GVWR:9,900 lbs
Front GAWR: 5,200 lbs
Rear GAWR:6,100 lbs
Ford specs say I can 5th wheel 16,100 lbs.

[spock123]

It's a FORD. My Silverado 3500HD SRW can only tow 16,700. I wish I had a Ford

[skidsareforkids]

Originally Posted by BigBay

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The specs are:
Trailer GVWR:13,870 lbs
Dry: 10,309 lbs.
Truck:
GVWR:9,900 lbs
Front GAWR: 5,200 lbs
Rear GAWR:6,100 lbs
Ford specs say I can 5th wheel 16,100 lbs.

What's the curb weight of your truck?

[BigBay]

As far as I can research it is 7249 lbs. What is curb weight? This is the first I have heard of that. So much to learn.

[skidsareforkids]

Curb weight is the weight of your truck with all fluids at the correct level and a full tank of fuel. I believe with Ford it also includes 150lbs for the driver. I'm going to use your truck and my trailer for some math to see if your over GVWR for your truck. I'll round everything to the nearest ten.

Curb Weight: 7250
Hitch: 35( I use an Andersen, plan 150-250 for others)
Tools in tool box:300
Passengers: 400 (family of five)
Dogs: 90
Pin weight: 2600 I'm using a very standard 20% for a 13,000 trailer.
Total: 10,675

This puts you about 775 over the GVWR for your truck. 775 is not an insurmountable number especially if you're only traveling with two people. In my case I'm towing with a Ram 3500 DRW and have 14,000 GVWR so the number I have to worry about is GCVWR but I'm no where near that either.

[fonzie]

Post your cargo capacity rating sticker from the driver door jam as shown below, you will get a lot more people giving you feedback.....

[Windjammin]

I have a 2016 F250 diesel truck. According to the Ford website, my truck curb weight is 7460 which is the weight of the empty truck plus fuel (no passengers or additional equipment). For me that number checks with the weight ticket when my truck was loaded for transport (7287 pounds). Add 26 gallons of diesel fuel and you get right at the 7460 number.

Subtract curb weight from the truck GVWR and you get the payload number. Payload includes everything loaded or installed on the truck after manufacture. So my payload number is 2540 pounds (my GVWR is 10000) which includes a full tank of fuel but nothing else.

[WFD]

Notice on the pic Fonzie posted, his max payload is 2454....your truck will have the same sticker, what does it say you have for max payload?

[itat]

Does your F-250 have the snow plow and camper packages? The diesel engine is much heavier than the gas engine so it eats up some of the GVWR. If you have a scale close by, take it to get actual weights. The diesel will have no problems pulling your 5er but you may be close or over the GVWR once you're loaded with your gear, a full fuel tank and ready to go camping. Your auto slide hitch will be heavier than most hitches, too. Payload capacity is always the first to be exceeded followed by rear axle rating.

Having said all of that, if you're only over GVWR by a couple hundred pounds but still under the rear axle rating, I wouldn't be too concerned.

EDIT: I don't pay much attention to the sticker payload number but I do want to be under on the GVW and axle weights.

[BigBay]

Sticker payload on mine says 2034 lbs.

[itat]

Originally Posted by BigBay

Sticker payload on mine says 2034 lbs.

Definitely get to a scale! That's on the low side for a 3/4 ton. There may be a scale at a local waste mgmt facility or you can take it to the CAT scale in Brampton or Mississauga. Weigh it with a full fuel tank and all passengers on board. You should be able to find out the weight of the auto slide hitch to add that to your scaled weight.

[Zoom]

My F 250 Crew Cab Lariat with hard folding bed cover, full of fuel, spray in bed liner, and me (215 lbs.) weighed at a Pilot station 8260 lbs. Ford estimated a max weight of my truck with a 150 pound driver and full of fuel at 7800. I have found you cannot go by the published estimated weights.

[donniedu]

Lets assume for a minute your truck acales ready to travel at 8000 pounds. Which is not unreasonable for a 250 variant. Lets also assume your trucks GVWR according to the sticker is 10,000 pounds. That leaves you 2000 pounds for hitch and pin weight.
Now, lets assume your trailer with 13,870 GVWR. 20% of the trailers GVWR, which will be pin weight, indicates a pin weight of 2600 pounds. With your truck having only 2000 pounds of available payload how is that going to be OK?
In the real world, you possibly may not hit the trailers GVWR, but GUARANTEED you will also never see the advertised dry weight either.
You have made the exact same miatake I did 12 years ago when with a 2500 I assumed I could tow anything. Well, in truth I could, but hauling a fifth wheel is NOT about towing capacity, it is all about weight capacity. And you just dont have it for that fiver.
As a comparison, my fiver has a GVWR of 13,750, so very close to yours. I generally scale right at 13,500 pounds. I almost always carry a pin weight of 3500 pounds. I tried for 3 years to make my 2500 work, air bags, bigger tires, everything. It would pull just fine, except when I got in the mountains,,then it was white knuckle time. The trailer was always pushing the truck around curves. Switched to a dually and now I arrive relaxed and in total control.

[lbrjet]

Zoom,

The payload number does not include a 150 lb driver, a common misconception on this forum.

[NMWildcat]

I would do my own research and calculate my own numbers and form my own opinions about them. All opinions and advice on any forum from any 'expert' has to be taken with a grain of salt. Most folks will tell you that you don't have enough truck, no matter what truck/trailer you have.

My rig is similar to yours in weights. We are below all maximums except payload. We have pulled all over the US, sometimes more than 900lbs over payload. It doesn't even squat the truck to level, without any airbags or other assists. I have no problems with stopping or control. So I ignore payload in my case.

Do your research and you will find weight numbers are a compromise between engineers, lawyers, and marketing.

I think you are fine, but come to your own conclusion.

[Oakman]

You’ll have no problems with that setup. My F-250 diesel 4X4 and Silverback are very close to the same numbers you have. I’ve driven my Silverback through the Rocky Mountains to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons in the west and east to the Atlantic Ocean and too many places in between to list without any issues. I picked up my Silverback in March 2012 and I’m going into my fifth season with this trailer. Don't let the weight police throw a scare into you.

Your F-250 diesel will have no problems with your new fifth wheel. By the way what brand 5th wheel did you buy and what floorplan?

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by BigBay

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The specs are:
Trailer GVWR:13,870 lbs
Dry: 10,309 lbs.
Truck:
GVWR:9,900 lbs
Front GAWR: 5,200 lbs
Rear GAWR:6,100 lbs
Ford specs say I can 5th wheel 16,100 lbs.

You are Golden as far as weight goes, and will enjoy the diesel towing ur camper.

Just max speed at 65 MPH and INSURE your tires are inflated to MAX every time you go. This will help prevent the tires from failing on the camper.

We just set the cruise control, get in the right lane, let every one else pass u s and seldom have to do anything but enjoy the ride.

[DrLewie]

Ive got an O8 F250 diesel with a 32 ft 5th wheel. Mines a long bed truck, so it has a static hitch. That truck will tow my fiver pretty much any where at any legal speed. Ive been over and through the Colorado rockies and other parts of the rockies many times with no issues at all. Plenty of power for highway driving. Pulling a fiver is different than most other types of rigs, so make wide turns and stay aware of your tail swing. Use the tow/haul mode if its still standard on the F250. Enjoy your travels and be safe.