drillagent wrote:
Here is my 2 cents worth. I'm sure I'll get blown in place, but here it goes. After doing all the recommended weigh ins, truck unloaded, truck loaded, and truck loaded with dry weight trailer, I've come to the conclusion that there is NO possible way my truck (located in signature) can tow a 5th wheel and meet the 10,000lbs weight rating, let alone tow the max amount of trailer weight.
That being said, I've done a lot of research and found that the only difference between a F250 and a F350 is the number of leaf springs (fixed with airbags) and the size/weight ratings of the tires. (fixed by replacing stock 17" tires with 18" tires) everything else is the same. (Engine, axles, brakes) Does making the changes make towing with a F250 any safer? Maybe not. Does that mean everyone towing with a F250 is wrong? I'll leave that up to your own personal risk assessment. But here's the thing. Do you think Ford ( or any other manufacturer) would publish a max towable trailer weight rating if they didn't think the vehicle could safely tow it? That would open them up for any number of lawsuits.
I find very interesting your statement on the tire size! I was looking at taking my 2001 RAM to 3rd Gen 17" wheels from the current 16" wheels so I could put larger front rotors on.
If I did this my tire weight rating (optional 265/75-16E) would go from 3,415 per tire DOWN to 3,195# per tire that is a loss of 880# of tire capacity for the truck!!!
I can improve the brakes in other ways when the time comes (they really do the job now) while I would still be well within the tire rating, I like having the 880# of EXTRA head room on the capacity. No worries with 13,660# of tire capacity.
