Towing a 13,500 dry weight 5er?

No doubt Dually would be needed

Can you tow with a F-250, yes you can easily. Should you? Not with it stock. I tow a 40 ft fifth wheel that weighs 13362-empty. I have had the truck a number of years and could not part with it. It has extensive suspension mods, springs, tires, brakes. shocks on top of engine and transmission improvements. I would love to have a dually for the stability but my finances won't allow it at this time. I have towed my trailer on at least three 2000 mile round trips with absolutely no issues. When hooking up my trailer the truck only drops 1 inch. I have test driven all the big three's dually's and I like the stability but very disappointed with the power and torque of them. I may in the future convert my truck to a dually and avoid having another mortgage.

Steve

janegowest wrote:
We did take a test ride in a Chevy 1 ton dually yesterday!! Wow!! A very different riding experience! I see what you mean, Travelnutz! It was kind of bumpy!! My DH told me that the ride would not be as bumpy with a trailer loaded.

Tryout a RAM Dually with factory rear air ride. Set the rear tire pressure to 35-40. You will like the ride!

My DRW is a little stiff with no weight in it but settles down nicely when Monty's behind it. Not a daily driver.

We did take a test ride in a Chevy 1 ton dually yesterday!! Wow!! A very different riding experience! I see what you mean, Travelnutz! It was kind of bumpy!! My DH told me that the ride would not be as bumpy with a trailer loaded.

JIMNLIN wrote:
Excellent ideas for using 45 psi pressures in a DRW or a SRW truck when empty.

Looking at manufacturers tire pressure charts show the popular LT235/85-16 E has around 1800 lbs capacity for dual application at 45 psi = 7200 lbs capacity. Most DRW trucks rear axles can weigh in the 3000-3600 lb range so 45 psi is plenty of air pressure.

Same with a non DRW truck. Same size tire shows a 2000 lb capacity at 45 psi = 4000 lbs of capacity.
Non of the tires are under inflated.

Now what we do have to watch for depending on tire size and wheel size and back spacing on a DRW is the dual tires rubbing against each other when using lower pressures for a smoother ride.

At 40-45 rears I still had lots of tire space running solo on my Dually. I may drop to 35 and see how they look for grins.

My 2500 SRW calls for 45R, 65F empty. 4800lbs on the front with the Cummins up there. I've run PSI pressures all over the place. My thinking is that Ram calls for 4800lbs running empty in the fronts and that's figuring the 4800lbs of front axle weight.
I have 48-4900lbs on my rear when towing our 5th wheel. I've run 70-80 in the fronts and 65-80 in the rears when towing.
This last time I took the 5th wheel out I ran 65 front and rear. It was the smoothest ride yet. I figure if 65psi is good for the front that's carrying 4800lbs all the time then it should be good for the rear when loading it up with 48-4900lbs.
As a side note, my tires are up graded from the OEM 245/70/17 to 275/65/18. The OEM tires are good for 3000lbs @80 psi each. The new tires are good for 3415lbs @80 psi each. So all things being equal I should be above the OEM required 4800lb rating that was used with the OEM tires since the tires have a higher LB capacity.
I just don't see why you would run 80PSI in the rear of an empty truck when it's only got about 28-3000lbs on the rear axle.

I pull a 16200 GVW trailer with a F350 SRW maxed out with factory options with no problem what so ever. after weighing on a CAT scale, it is in all of Ford's specs except the CCW that is 200lbs over. I have pulled 40,000 miles coast to coast and border to border with no problems and have never felt unsafe. I suspect a F250 diesel would pull a 13500 GVW trailer with the proper factory options as well. If I pulled a heavier trailer I would go with the F450 or equivalent rather than a F350 dually.

Excellent ideas for using 45 psi pressures in a DRW or a SRW truck when empty.

Looking at manufacturers tire pressure charts show the popular LT235/85-16 E has around 1800 lbs capacity for dual application at 45 psi = 7200 lbs capacity. Most DRW trucks rear axles can weigh in the 3000-3600 lb range so 45 psi is plenty of air pressure.

Same with a non DRW truck. Same size tire shows a 2000 lb capacity at 45 psi = 4000 lbs of capacity.
Non of the tires are under inflated.

Now what we do have to watch for depending on tire size and wheel size and back spacing on a DRW is the dual tires rubbing against each other when using lower pressures for a smoother ride.

I have the 3710fl montana, probably over 8 tons with all gear as I live in it. I'm able to pull it with a Single rear wheel 3500 diesel no problem. Tires have come so far and the truck itself is at maybe have capacity with said weight. I can't be driving a dually around everyday so this was the compromise. But again, not 1 problem and the truck does great. Just my .02