Forum Discussion

Walaby's avatar
Walaby
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2016

3/4 ton and 5ver question...Yes, yet another one.

This is not for me, but for a friend who is looking at possibly buying a 5ver in the future. He has a 08 Ford F250 4WD, Diesel. Cargo capacity is only 1869lbs.

RGAWR is 6100. He is going to weigh his truck but we are estimating truck only rear axle weight of approx 3100 lbs, which, if close, leaves approx 3000 lbs of axle capacity. Has LT tires with weight rating that exceeds axle rating.

The 5ver he is looking at is a Prime Time Crusader 315RST. Dry weight of 9926, CC of 2389, GVWR 12315. Dry pin weight of 1925 and fully loaded, 20 percent would be 2463. Now, I've been camping with him and I know they won't load this thing to the max weight, but assuming they did, looking at about 2400lb pin weight, which, when combined with the occupant weights etc, would put him about 800 lbs OVER GVWR of the truck, but assuming his weights come out as we predict, he should be about 600lbs under RGAWR.

I know I've read two schools of thought (it seems). There are those (myself included) who want to stay below all weight ratings. Then there are those (which I understand the argument), that say the 3/4 tons have an artificial GVWR of 10K due to fed regs (or whatever) dictating max GVWR of 3/4 ton is 10K. These same folks say that RGAWR is the key.

So, Im looking for thoughts from folks who exceed GVWR, but still stay within RGAWR to comment. Does this setup appear doeable given those assumptions above, and the assumption that exceeding GVWR by up to 800lbs (that would be the high side estimate, because I know they won't load the trailer with 2400lbs of goodies).

If you a stickler on staying within all weights, please, don't just comment to that effect. I am that way as well, but I will admit, I have a half a foot in the camp that says stick to RGAWR as a key determinant. To me, based on the arguments of RGAWR, the combo would be close, but doeable.

Thanks.

Mike
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Well it is your friends choice to tow over his GVWR. That said I made that choice, and am very happy with our choice.
    We tow a 5er with slightly heaver GVWR and slightly lighter dry weight, or 2500 is older and have no issues with the package.
  • Thanks guys... I'll pass on your thoughts. I did remind him that he needs to get actual weights of the truck prior to going any further. I totally get the driveability, and comfort factor, as does he. He had a half ton gasser, and with his TT, it fit within his weight capacities, but he didn't enjoy the pull. It did it, but he just didn't like it. So, I do know he appreciates that as a consideration.

    Mike
  • Seems like too much trailer for that truck. My '05 was pretty much maxed out with my 2200 pin weight. Much happier with the one ton.
  • I don't see any issue. On newer 3/4 tons, the only difference between most SRW 1 tons and 3/4 tons is a lighter rear spring pack. Fix that if necessary with airbags/timbrens and they're the same truck, or arguably the supplemented 3/4 ton is more depending on the 1 ton it's being compared to.

    To me the three consumer truck classes available are half tons, heavy duty SRW and heavy duty DRW.
  • I have a F250 diesel and a primetime 315 here are my actual weights without water, full fuel me and DW
    Truck
    front 5020
    rear 3720
    gross 8740

    with 5th
    front 4820
    rear 6080
    trailer 8200
    gross 19100

    This was before I added air bags to level the truck
    also note I added a 50 gal. Titan tank also I have the snow plow and camper pkg. I am happy with the way this tows remember that 250 and 350 use the same parts
  • He will be perfectly fine with a 3/4 ton and the numbers on that trailer. That trailer is NOT what I would call a "bigger" 5er. I tow a 12klb GVWR toy hauler with my 2012 GMC 2500HD and it does perfectly fine and tows level with no assist. In my experience however the F250s will squat more given the same pin weight so he may need something like air bags or timbrens to stay level.
  • Well Mike, IMO, this 250 will work, if you stay under RAWR/tire rating. A 250 is class rated on GVWR, even if orderd with the 350 suspension, like mine. When you add the heavy diesel engine, it takes away from the class rated GVWR. The 250 payload on tire loading sticker is the weight of the truck, when it left the factory, subtracted from the class rated GVWR.

    The pin weight of the FW will be almost entirely on the rear axle, so RAWR, and tire rating are what really matters on a 250. The front axle has the heavy diesel weight covered. In many cases a late model 250 can do the same job as the 350 SRW. If the 250 rear springs are a little soft, you may have to add suspension help (extra spring or air bags).

    Jerry
  • Using your numbers without verifying, I would do it without question.

    It's a no-brainer on an F250. Same axle and springs as an F350. So staying below the axle and tire rating on the F250 makes it a no-brainer.
  • BT,DT never again.
    2500 series trucks are great for lots of things. Hauling bigger fifth wheels is not one of them. Can the truck mpve it down the road? Sure. Can it do it safely with some measure of comfort? Not likely. Once your friend exceeds or even gets close to the trucks GVWR he is likely not going to like how it starts to feel.