Can you tow 38,000lbs with a F350?

[The Newsoms]

Originally Posted by Learjet

yes!

Any before ya'll go crazy deciding the facts...we need real weights and did the brakes work or was the driver riding the brakes etc....everyone relax...it will all come out in time.

I was reading through the comments to see if anyone said this before I commented. Seems like the weight might not be as much an issue as all the other things that were wrong. It’s bad no matter what.

[Homebrew]

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by Homebrew

Attachment 265667

If you want the accurate rating you should go to Ford’s towing guide- because that’s not even close to right, lol.

[dustman_stx]

These are the max numbers.

[doc73]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

These are the max numbers.

Man I can tow 1000lbs with my mustang! Let do it!

[Homebrew]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

If you want the accurate rating you should go to Ford’s towing guide- because that’s not even close to right, lol.

🤣I agree and understand how it’s done. Just wanted to show that not all F350s are built to tow 20k or more.

[timfromma]

Anyone who has towed trailers for any length of time knows that these towing capacity numbers are pretty much worthless. A vehicle's ability to tow will be determined by its payload capacity.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by WilliamG

I have a 2019 F-350. When I bought it I asked the dealer to show me the weight limits on the computer. He pulled it up and showed it to me. For a 5th wheel hitch the limit was 27500. But for a gooseneck hitch the limit is 38,000. Maybe that's where the reporter screwed up number.

Sounds likely, based on the informed chatter here, I am inclined to think the 38,000lb figure comes from the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Ratings of the truck and trailer.
What the boat and trailer actually weighed will be determined by the Nevada Highway Patrol investigators.
Operating such a vehicle with defective or inoperative brakes defines gross negligence.

[PodGeek]

Originally Posted by upflying

...Operating such a vehicle with defective or inoperative brakes defines gross negligence.

Wouldn't even well-maintained brakes in perfect operating condition potentially give out under the stress of constant braking of a ~30,000-40,000-pound load down that grade from Tahoe?

If the driver was going relatively fast and relying only on his brakes (especially since the trailer apparently had no brakes) then it seems to me to be a predictable outcome, no?

ETA: Looks like TitanMike already made this point...

Originally Posted by TitanMike

...Curious how fast the driver was going down the hill. Even with good brakes they will fade rapidly is going downhill fast.

[Tabasco_Joe]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Don't know for sure. Around where i live larger boat trailers never get " dunked ". Boats of any size are usually launched and recovered with cranes or travel-lifts.

Regardless, even hudraulic "surge brakes" have emergency breakaway devices with chain/cable that needs to be attached to a solid anchor on tow vehicle.

Curious how fast the driver was going down the hill. Even with good brakes they will fade rapidly is going downhill fast.

Too many drivers don't understand the key to a safe decent starts before the crest of the hill. Not half way down.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

Wouldn't even well-maintained brakes in perfect operating condition potentially give out under the stress of constant braking of a ~30,000-40,000-pound load down that grade from Tahoe?

If the driver was going relatively fast and relying only on his brakes (especially since the trailer apparently had no brakes) then it seems to me to be a predictable outcome, no?

ETA: Looks like TitanMike already made this point...

I have driven down that grade a few times and I can verify 70mph is possible by simply coasting in neutral.
From the photos, it appears the F350 is a current, aluminum body version that was introduced in 2017..I think. Ford owners correct me if I'm wrong. Yes, I agree even if the trucks' brakes were in working order, fade will reduce them to a smoking, fiery mess if they were ridden the entire way down the grade...espcecially with no trailer brakes.
Assuming the truck is a Power Stroke, would or could the engine brake retard speed enough in lower gears on a 6% grade?

[upflying]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

Wouldn't even well-maintained brakes in perfect operating condition potentially give out under the stress of constant braking of a ~30,000-40,000-pound load down that grade from Tahoe?

If the driver was going relatively fast and relying only on his brakes (especially since the trailer apparently had no brakes) then it seems to me to be a predictable outcome, no?

ETA: Looks like TitanMike already made this point...

I have driven down that grade a few times and I can verify 70mph is possible by simply coasting in neutral.
From the photos, it appears the F350 is a current, aluminum body version that was introduced in 2017..I think. Ford owners correct me if I'm wrong. Yes, I agree even if the trucks' brakes were in working order, fade will reduce them to a smoking, fiery mess if they were ridden the entire way down the grade...espcecially with no trailer brakes.
Assuming the truck is a Power Stroke, would the engine brake retard speed enough in lower gears on a 6% grade?
NHP crash investigators will no doubt be looking at bluing on the brake rotors.

[D W]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

Not sure this trailer weighs 10K...

As stated previously, the crane operator knew exactly how much it weighed as soon as he snatched it, and you can bet the NHP was right there to record it.

[phipps33]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Emergency Brake breakaway switch?

Apparently not however if equipped, battery was dead or cable was just considered an annoyance and maybe just jammed behind license plate for looks, etc. Were the trailer brakes even working? Checked before the "haul" or did the towing vehicle have a properly adjusted controller.

This is a sad example of what can happen when towing a trailer and not understanding how to do it safely.

Probably not on a boat trailer. Boat trailers don’t usually have electric brakes, but should have had surge brakes, but not sure how/if they have breakaway capabilities.

[TowPro]

[mtnlvr]

Bottom line; if the driver had used the runaway sand trap, no one would have been injured or died. Tragic consequences.

[PodGeek]

Originally Posted by D W

As stated previously, the crane operator knew exactly how much it weighed as soon as he snatched it, and you can bet the NHP was right there to record it.

Can you (or someone else) tell what the make/model of that trailer might be? I'm moderately surprised that such a trailer might weigh 5 tons...

Found this:

Large Boat Trailer Weight

Larger boat trailers are used for hauling yachts, pontoon boats and other heavy watercraft. For this type of trailer, the empty weight ranges from 1,100 to 4,400 pounds, and the average is about 2,200 pounds.

When loaded with a large boat, the trailer weight increases greatly. The capacity depends on the build of the trailer and its configuration. GVWR can be as low as 5,400 pounds or as high as 34,400 pounds.

Average load capacity for large boat trailers is around 11,400 pounds.

https://www.curtmfg.com/trailer-weight#LargeBoatTrailer

[doc73]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

Can you (or someone else) tell what the make/model of that trailer might be? I'm moderately surprised that such a trailer might weigh 5 tons...

It is not so much the weight of the trailer is 5 tons it would be it's capacity. Like I said earlier my bet is the 38,000 lb comes from the vehicle and trailers capacities not their actual weights. Somebody pointed out that that type of boat trailer is designed to be reconfigured for multiple boat designs. So it may be rated to 20,000 but is only hauling a boat that weighs 12. While the driver may not be overweight in the sense of being overloaded for the trailer rating he may be oversized for the type of license he's driving. And now add in journalists who have no idea what they're talking about and you end up with a guy that's driving 38,000 lb of vehicle when in reality he might have only been 20,000 lb.

[Adrian Gordon]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Then there are the inevitable lawsuits.

True, assuming he is adequately insured, which is highly unlikely.

[Adrian Gordon]

Originally Posted by upflying

These charges are probably contributing factors.

Gonzalez-Otazo is being held at the Carson City jail on more than 20 charges including:

Felony reckless driving
No valid driver's license
Unsafe vehicle
Obstruction of justice
Failure to obey traffic light
Fail to obey traffic device
No record of duty status
Motor carrier permit required
No medical certificate
Operating a CMV without a CDL
Driver must be able to understand traffic signals
No fuel tax permit
IRO apportioned tag/reg violation
No USDOT/carrier name displayed
Inoperative/defective Brakes
Inspection repair and maintenance (2 counts)
Wheel fasteners loose and missing (2 counts)
Required brakes missing on trailer
Loose or unfastened tiedown
Damaged vehicle structures and pressure points

Where does the obstruction of justice charge come from?