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shadows4's avatar
shadows4
Nomad
May 02, 2013

Opinions wanted.

Hey guys,
I have a co-worker that I have talked to till I am blue in the face. I normally don't consider myself to be one of the weight police but this is just crazy.
He just purchased a 2013 Sprinter 333FWFLS. It's a beautiful 5er. Some of the specs. Empty weight is 9598.
Gross weight is 12750.
Empty pin is 2045.
Length is 37'5".

Again it's a beautiful 5er. Now here is the kicker. His tow vehicle is a 2011 F150, standard cab, 8 foot bed, 5.0L V8 with a 3.55 rear end.

How can I convince him that he doesn't have enough truck. Dealer of course said it would be fine. He hasn't picked it up yet but I told him he will be truck shopping soon if he tries to tow it with the F150. I have told him about this site and encouraged him to check things out here so maybe he will read and listen to some opinions other than mine. Thanks, John

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  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    May 07, 2013
    It may also be worth mentioning that just because one's ordered a bunch of "options", that doesn't mean one's going to get a unit built from the ground up just for them.

    If there's a (new and right model year) unit on hand that will fill the bill with the requested modifications added, that's the one that'll be delivered- just as with a new car.
  • Waitin2Retire's avatar
    Waitin2Retire
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    So as someone that may want a 5er in the future where do I go to find what truck can tow what size 5er?

    Greg
  • TakingThe5th's avatar
    TakingThe5th
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    bad99ram wrote:
    The first time he hooks up, and sits in his truck looking up in the sky he will know you were right


    X2. Buy him a nice star chart as a gift. :)
  • Monaco_Montclai's avatar
    Monaco_Montclai
    Explorer
    May 05, 2013
    yep u got it, the first time out will tell. waz helping some folks back in a site,i caught his wife still directing, oops I-m out here---happy- camping
  • shadows4's avatar
    shadows4
    Nomad
    May 05, 2013
    OPer here. I have talked to my co-worker and he says he knows he will be over the trucks limits. He is trying to make do for a year till he can upgrade to a F350. He has bought overload springs and 10 ply tires for the truck. I have told him this still doesn't change the ratings of the truck. He says he plans to stay local till he can afford to upgrade the truck. I just hope in the mean time he takes things slow so as to not hurt himself, his family or anyone else on the road. Thanks for all your replies.
  • imjustdave's avatar
    imjustdave
    Explorer
    May 05, 2013
    Terryallan wrote:
    SolidAxleDurango wrote:
    Terryallan wrote:
    slownse wrote:
    No one seams to know what heas payload or towing capasety is but most sims ready to jump down heas throat about being to heavy. It is defnetly not 1 ton territory.


    Empty pin is 2045. How much is one ton? It is of course 2000lbs, So it is one ton territory. He needs a truck with more than one ton of payload.


    So... what connection are you making between the 2045 pin weight and the 'one ton truck' that was suggested?


    I believe IF you read the quote, and the answer you will understand. However. Maybe I can make it more clear. 2000lbs is a ton. You need a ton truck to carry a ton. The pin weight is a ton. The truck will be carrying it.

    Now you can argue that a 150, or a 250 has 2000lb + of payload. Proving that there is no such thing as a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, or 1 ton truck. A 1/2 ton truck, can only carry 1000lbs, a 3/4 ton truck, can only carry 1500lbs, and a ton truck can only carry 2000lbs. We know that todays trucks can carry more than that. But it dosen't change the fact, that you need 2000lbs of payload to carry 2000lbs


    Just so you know ... 1500, 2500, and 3500 are just numbers... back in the day a 1 ton could haul 2,000 lbs but that has been long sense dropped. As an example, my 06 dodge DRW 1ton is rated for 12,500 lbs. When I first purchased it it tipped the scales at 7200 ish lbs 12,500 - 7200 is 5,300 So as you can see my 1 ton is capable of more then 2,000 lbs. Now of course people, dogs, tools, bed liner, hitches ETC take away from its abilities.

    I'm sure the ford will pull it, but that is a big trailer "friend just got one" and coming home last weekend the wind was forcing him all over the road, not bad but he felt it and that thing is like a sail. mind you he was in a SRW 350 with a diesel. I would love to see some photos of the guy pulling it with a 150 :)
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    cpaulsen wrote:
    Did not know that a F150 came with a 5.0 V-8 in 2011....should be a 4.6.


    F150's got the 5.0 v8, 3.5 v6 and 3.7 v6 in 2011 along with the select shift 6sp AT.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 03, 2013
    puddleduck wrote:
    When you ask for opinions you'll get plenty of response here.
    Especially with that non-descript post title.

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