towing 2009 Jayco Eagle 345 BHS with 2002 f250, 7.3

my truck tag reads LT265/75r16e for the tires.....I would have to check that the truck still has these same size tires on

mcguirehg wrote:
Front GAWR: 5200 , rear GAWR 6084, I'm trying to get a better understanding of the numbers and how they impact towing, but also want to evaluate this truck for the Jayco?

Well I wasn't sure what your axle ratings were going to be, but they are the same as mine. I ended up with a 8,800# GVWR on the truck, yours is likely the same.

That said, this not what I recommend, but what I am doing.

I currently tow a 12,360# GVWR 5er with a dry weight of 9,820#, loaded for a normal trip it tips the scales at 11,000# =/-. I carry between 2,00# to 2,300# on the hitch (pin), at that weight I have about 5,100 to 5,200# on the rear axle.

My truck came with the Camper Package, which which includes larger tires 265/75-16 E, compared to stock 245/75-16 E , and 3500 springs and rear sway bar. I no longer post what I am over my GVWR, but I would not be much more over than I am. Keep in mind I have not made any changes to the stock suspension other than install a set of Bilstien 5100 shocks.

That said, the package tows great, I am not speaking of driving down an interstate with wide lanes and wide shoulders and smooth easy turns, I am talking two lane roads with NO SHOULDERS and narrow lanes and 55mph to 65 mph traffic. When we dropped this rig on our truck at the dealer it hardly dropped at all maybe an inch. To say the least I was a bit surprised the first time I hit the scales with the 5er loaded for a trip and a nearly full tank of fuel.

EDIT: Info for your 5er
Dry Weight 10,945#
Payload Capacity 3,555#
GVWR 14,500#
Hitch Weight Dry 2,432#

End Edit:

This is the rig leaving on our last trip, it had about 3/4 tank of fresh water on board.

Stops well YES
Accelerates well YES
Handles well Heck YES.

Here is what a lot of folks towing RV's end up doing.

1) throw the "tow rating" out the door. Towing 12500 lbs of flat load on a flat trailer (I literally mean flat) is not the same as towing 12500 lbs of fifth wheel. Aerodynamics play a much higher role with the fiver/TT. Also 20-25% of the fifth wheels weight will be on the 'pin'.

2) your GVWR minus your UVW (will probably be different than the posted curb weight, flashlights glovebox stuff etc, all add up) will be your "official" payload. (my FIL had a 99 Supercab PSD 4x4 lariat that had a payload of 1900 lbs). With a fiver plus gear in the truck you will most likely be over your official GVWR.

3) most find that it's not what you can tow, it's what you can carry. (Again, payload)

4) there is nothing you can do to increase the factory payload capacity. No matter what you do, the official GVWR will not change. However, you can increase the capability of the truck if needed, by adding F350 springs and increased capacity tires, airbags, etc.

Hope this helps,

Jeremiah

Front GAWR: 5200 , rear GAWR 6084, I'm trying to get a better understanding of the numbers and how they impact towing, but also want to evaluate this truck for the Jayco?

mcguirehg wrote:
I guess I'm still confused. All the dealers say I'll be fine and the towing manual say Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission is 12,800 pounds for a f250/350 with 4x4. ?https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/2002_All.pdf

Yes they will,
You likely will be if the F250 has a camper Package, BUT you will likely be over your trucks GVWR. The issue with a 5er is not what it weighs, but how much weight the 5er add in the bed of your truck (Pin weight), That Jayco Eagle has 2,400# of Pin weight DRY, before you put a single pot or pan in it.

It may tow fine and handle the weight fine, but you will likely be over your trucks GVWR, maybe a lot.
The next limits to really watch are axle and tire ratings. While I do tow over my GVWR, I am well within the axle and tire ratings.
It is your choice as to what to do, smaller 5er, bigger TV, or go with what you got.

I reached ford and they said the truck has a 3.73 axle rating, GVWR of 8,800, towing capacity of 12,800...so the missing number is the curb weight so I can figure out the load weight of the truck with the 5th wheel?

mcguirehg wrote:
I guess I'm still confused. All the dealers say I'll be fine and the towing manual say Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission is 12,800 pounds for a f250/350 with 4x4. ?https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/2002_All.pdf

Because Max Loaded Trailer Weight is only part of the equation. The weight exerted on the rear wheels and suspension is an area often ignored by the dealer for whatever reason you believe (not informed or intentional). Take the advice above and weigh the truck then check the weight of the rear axle against the door sticker. In the end, only you can decide if it is worth pulling the trailer. That is the advice I got here when I fell into the trap that I thought my two year old D-Max 2500 would be good to go. After weighing it, I found I was technically overloaded pulling the empty trailer off the lot. I opted to trade the truck on a 3500 DRW.

I guess I'm still confused. All the dealers say I'll be fine and the towing manual say Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission is 12,800 pounds for a f250/350 with 4x4. ?https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/2002_All.pdf

I have a 02 F250 PSD and you'll have plenty of power. The issue is payload on the rear axle and what the sticker on the door says. Hopefully your F250 has the camper package which gives you F350 rear sprins (an extra helper spring) and sway bars front and rear. Not sure why 5er's run so much more tongue/pin weight than travel trailers... well yes I do know as they can put smaller tires and axles under the unit. I would check what the axles and tires ratings are on the unit and if heavy enough you can take weight off the pin by adding a tool box on the back and putting heavy things back there so you have more carrying capacity. It's too late to go weigh as once your check clears you are on your own.
If the axles and tires are marginal then there's a good chance the rest of the unit is marginal. My guess is you will find it has 5K axles and they expect you to carry 4500 lbs on the back of your truck. Find a better unit or a bigger truck.

mcguirehg wrote:
Looking for thoughts on the towing on this unit. I have a great interest in the unit because of the bunkhouse and layout. The specs on my f250 say we can tow 12,800 pound 5th wheel. The listing says the dry weight is 10,945 pounds. I figure that means I just can't over load the rig, up to the GVW of the rig is 14,500. This would give me 1,500 pounds of carrying capacity. We are first times and want to be sure I'm not figuring the towing capacity of my trucl incorrectly. Thanks Dan

Sorry you are, not that the truck would not pull it.

With a 5er you need to keep the trucks GVWR in mind. That rig will likely put over your Trucks GVWR.
I would assume without looking the GVWR on your truck to be between 8,800# to about 9,200# given the year.


Then it becomes choices time, and if you feel that your truck can safely tow that rig, (Tow + start, stop, and handle at speed without white knuckles).

You need to know the GVWR of your truck then take it to a scale and weigh it. the difference between the GVWR and the scale weight is available payload.
Once you know that then you will know how much over your GVWR you will be with that 5er in tow.

I know you will be, as I tow a smaller, lighter unit and I am over my GVWR. With my Ram 2500