Towing 39 ft 15.5 k with 1ton Sw diesel - Mistake ??

I do believe the ratings in 2004 were 12,300 max trailer, 20,000 max gcvw for the F350 SRW. You're around a ton and a half over, at least. Go to http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/ and download the 2004 PDF, the towing ratings are around page 18. Varies a bit depending on your options and cab size.

You were at the truck's rated capacity with your old 34ft Cougar, FWIW/

Brian

rhagfo wrote:

MNRon wrote:
I tow a 34ft 14000lb 5er with my SRW and am very happy with the performance. Still, mine is a 2013 (after all manufacturers beefed up suspensions and payloads), yours is a 2004 so I'd be concerned about payload of your truck first and foremost. The long length might also be a factor pushing SRW around a little where DRW would add more rubber to road to counteract. Some would be comfortable with the later, some not. But again I'd look at your truck payload pretty hard.

Maybe it's a reason to get a new truck :)

Beef up the supension OR up the GVWR????

I read about all the time about newer higher GVWR TV needeing bags or Timbiers to "level" the TV. While my 01 with camper package is within about 500# of ratings and is still better than level.

I'm missing something here. What the heck is BETTER than level? I went and adjusted my pinbox to level, when there is something better? Please tell us what it is, so we can make the appropriate adjustments.

Ivylog wrote:
There is no reason for a 5er to have 20% pin weight other than the manufacture can put cheaper axles/tires under it. Before I'd get rid of my truck I'd shift 1000 lbs to the rear, even adding a tool box on the back to put heavy things from the front storage areas. This ASSUMES you are not at the limit of your axles and tires.

And pray tell, do you realize what 1000lbs hanging from the rear of a trailer will do do the frame? Your statement regarding pin weight is evident from one with a MH, too little weight on the pin will result in uncomfortable towing, chucking, possible bouncing between pin box and hitch, not to mention trailer stability. YMMV

Jim

There is no reason for a 5er to have 20% pin weight other than the manufacture can put cheaper axles/tires under it. Before I'd get rid of my truck I'd shift 1000 lbs to the rear, even adding a tool box on the back to put heavy things from the front storage areas. This ASSUMES you are not at the limit of your axles and tires.

MNRon wrote:
I tow a 34ft 14000lb 5er with my SRW and am very happy with the performance. Still, mine is a 2013 (after all manufacturers beefed up suspensions and payloads), yours is a 2004 so I'd be concerned about payload of your truck first and foremost. The long length might also be a factor pushing SRW around a little where DRW would add more rubber to road to counteract. Some would be comfortable with the later, some not. But again I'd look at your truck payload pretty hard.

Maybe it's a reason to get a new truck :)

Beef up the supension OR up the GVWR???
I think some of the higher GVWR were a result of marketing, not so much stronger springs or frames or axles! They just used more of the axle rating. Our 2001 2500 has a GVWR of 8,800# bit total axle ratings of 11,284# so lots of room to grow.

I read about all the time about newer higher GVWR TV needeing bags or Timbiers to "level" the TV. While my 01 with camper package is within about 500# of ratings and is still better than level.

I feel to answer your question I would have to tell you it is a NO from me. sorry


chevman

I thought a Dually was the answer to ALL of life's problems!

20% tongue weight is 3100 lbs. plus hitch weight & anything in the bed or cab. How much cargo capacity do you have? How about the drive tires?

Good luck.

I tow a 34ft 14000lb 5er with my SRW and am very happy with the performance. Still, mine is a 2013 (after all manufacturers beefed up suspensions and payloads), yours is a 2004 so I'd be concerned about payload of your truck first and foremost. The long length might also be a factor pushing SRW around a little where DRW would add more rubber to road to counteract. Some would be comfortable with the later, some not. But again I'd look at your truck payload pretty hard.

Maybe it's a reason to get a new truck :)

Hi,

Depends on the hitch weight I guess. Is it triple axle? That can put more of the trailer's weight on it's own wheels, and less on the pin.

It also depends on the trailer balance. Some have the fresh water tank under the bathroom, and in the front of the trailer. Some like Glendale RV Titanium will have the fresh water tanks over the rear axles, so that the hitch weight will not go up or down when it is full or empty.

Glendale made some fifth wheels with really light pin weight. More of the overall weight was on the trailer tires.

I need to change my answer. The 2004 only had a 9,900 GVWR and that is way to low to be towing any fifth wheel, except for the very lightest ones.

What is your curb weight? If it is over 7,300 pounds, then towing any fifth wheel is questionable. That leaves you less than 2,000 pounds for cargo, and a little for passengers and that 200 pound hitch.

IF you want to use a 2003 and earlier, then a dually is required. 2005 the GVWR for the F-250 went up to 10,000 pounds while the F-350 SRW was 11,400 pounds, 1,500 pounds more than the 2004 model.

As for the 6L and 6.4L International engines, they are not recommended by many, who say that the oil cooler is a problem. This can be solved with a simple engine coolant water filter, that needs to be changed every 1,500 miles for the first 2, then about once a year.

Good luck,

Fred.