I have a 2016 Ford F-250 Diesel. I have read (and even asked questions on this forum) about towing limits extensively. I am very familiar with how to calculate the GVWR and GCWR of my truck based on the stated ratings by Ford. With that being said, I would like to get some real world feedback from people that have towed 11K - 12K loaded weight 5er with a similar setup to mine. I do not want to start another debate so please dont comment that I would be slightly over my GVWR if I decide to go ahead and purchase an 11k - 12k loaded weight RV. I would just like to hear from people that have, or is currently towing this weight with a 3/4 ton diesel. Any issues? Anything to keep you from doing it again. Regrets?ThanksTim

You will be fine with that truck, and a 11k to 12k 5er. I towed a 12K 5er with a 03 cummins 3/4, and I was at my truck's GVWR.

That's a piece of cake for any modern 3/4T diesel.

My F-250 is a 2000 and I tow a 12K fiver with it. I have added airbags, a turbo housing, chip and 4 inch exhaust and it tows very nicely as well as level. I also added the 6000Lb front springs for the snow plow package which helps when loaded. I have also had my transmission beefed up. Wouldnt sell the truck for all the money in the world.

You'll be fine. I tow my 14k GVWR fiver with no issues, and I've got the F250 Platinum, which is a little light on payload. I did add airbags, which allow me to get everything dialed-in perfectly. Very pleasurable towing experience!

2011 F-250 Running right at 12k with the factory 5th wheel option. I tended to have a little sag on the back of the truck so i installed Firestone airbags. Now its perfect with 40lbs in the air bags and towing is flawless. I would suggest the air bags highly but you will do fine without.

Towing expereinces with F-250 | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

pyoung47
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
I'm not an expert, but. Had a Dodge 3500 srw, and the only upgrade I could detect over a 2500 was an extra overload spring. I now have a 16 Ford F350, and again the only difference I can see is the overload spring. Would think airbags would work for you if there is an issue.

A quick trip through a campground will display lots of F250's hauling monster campers.

You may not have enough power, though. (Just joking)
justafordguy
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
X2, Your tire and wheel capacity will be your actual limit. The rear 10.5 Sterling axle itself is rated at 9750lbs by it's manufacturer (Visteon).
rjstractor
Nomad
Jan 16, 2017
tim1970 wrote:
So would I be limited by my rear axle rating of 6100 lbs even though my tires are rated at 7500 lbs (3750 X 2)? If so, I would be still very limited on what 5th wheel I could pull. When I weighed my truck with just me and a full tank of diesel it showed 3260 on the rear axle. That leaves under 2800 lbs available for passengers,hitch,and pin weight. That rules out even a lot of the HT towable 5th wheels.

It's not as dire as you think. Only about half of your passenger weight goes on the rear axle. So if you add 400 pounds of passengers you have 2600. Add hitch and you are at about 2400, which should be enough to handle a properly balanced 12K GVWR fifth wheel.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jan 16, 2017
op wrote:
So would I be limited by my rear axle rating of 6100 lbs even though my tires are rated at 7500 lbs (3750 X 2)? If so, I would be still very limited on what 5th wheel I could pull. When I weighed my truck with just me and a full tank of diesel it showed 3260 on the rear axle. That leaves under 2800 lbs available for passengers,hitch,and pin weight. That rules out even a lot of the HT towable 5th wheels.

RAWR is the lessor of the 1.axle....2.tire.....3.wheel ..... 4. rear spring pack.

1. Fords Sterling axle itself carries around 9800 lbs capacity so the axle rear axle assy isn't a issue unless you exceed it.

2. Fords 20" 2016 tire selection shows a 3750 lb capacity.

3. Fords 18" and 20" wheels show a 3750 lb capacity3590 lb capacity.

4. Rear spring pack from Ford;
if your F250 has the camper package or heavy service package its the same upgraded suspension as the F350 SRW truck at 7000 RAWR.
Many folks add rear air bags/Supersprings/Timbrens or add a leaf in the main spring pack to their F250 as its the same truck as the F350 SRW according to Ford Fleet service spec website.
tim1970
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
spud1957 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
kep5niner wrote:
RustyJC wrote:
MartyMoose wrote:
2012 F250 6.7 Lariat 4x4 Crew Cab
With 35ft toyhauler attached 5,020 Font Axle 6,540 Rear Trailer 23,700lbs
Just truck alone 4,980 Front 3,840 Rear

What's your rear axle GAWR?

Rusty

Mine is 6,100#. (same truck basically)

Page #72

Most likely the same number the rear tires capacity adds up to.

Not necessarily so. My tag has my axle at 6100 lbs. My 18" tires are 7400 at 80lbs.

On the 250 that is corrected with air pressure to match the axle number. My tire inflation label says 70lb inflation. If it was a 350, the tire label is inflated to 80.

So would I be limited by my rear axle rating of 6100 lbs even though my tires are rated at 7500 lbs (3750 X 2)? If so, I would be still very limited on what 5th wheel I could pull. When I weighed my truck with just me and a full tank of diesel it showed 3260 on the rear axle. That leaves under 2800 lbs available for passengers,hitch,and pin weight. That rules out even a lot of the HT towable 5th wheels.
spud1957
Explorer
Jan 11, 2017
Cummins12V98 wrote:
kep5niner wrote:
RustyJC wrote:
MartyMoose wrote:
2012 F250 6.7 Lariat 4x4 Crew Cab
With 35ft toyhauler attached 5,020 Font Axle 6,540 Rear Trailer 23,700lbs
Just truck alone 4,980 Front 3,840 Rear

What's your rear axle GAWR?

Rusty

Mine is 6,100#. (same truck basically)

Page #72

Most likely the same number the rear tires capacity adds up to.

Not necessarily so. My tag has my axle at 6100 lbs. My 18" tires are 7400 at 80lbs.

On the 250 that is corrected with air pressure to match the axle number. My tire inflation label says 70lb inflation. If it was a 350, the tire label is inflated to 80.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jan 11, 2017
Cummins12V98 wrote:
kep5niner wrote:
RustyJC wrote:
MartyMoose wrote:
2012 F250 6.7 Lariat 4x4 Crew Cab
With 35ft toyhauler attached 5,020 Font Axle 6,540 Rear Trailer 23,700lbs
Just truck alone 4,980 Front 3,840 Rear

What's your rear axle GAWR?

Rusty

Mine is 6,100#. (same truck basically)

Page #72

Most likely the same number the rear tires capacity adds up to.

X2
So the rear axle rating on my Ram is 6,084# the same as the total of the two stock tires, but I have the optional 265 tires and the total of them is 6,830# I haven't passed the stock rating, but could easly and still be well within the tire rating.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jan 11, 2017
kep5niner wrote:
RustyJC wrote:
MartyMoose wrote:
2012 F250 6.7 Lariat 4x4 Crew Cab
With 35ft toyhauler attached 5,020 Font Axle 6,540 Rear Trailer 23,700lbs
Just truck alone 4,980 Front 3,840 Rear

What's your rear axle GAWR?

Rusty

Mine is 6,100#. (same truck basically)

Page #72

Most likely the same number the rear tires capacity adds up to.
kep5niner
Explorer
Jan 11, 2017
RustyJC wrote:
MartyMoose wrote:
2012 F250 6.7 Lariat 4x4 Crew Cab
With 35ft toyhauler attached 5,020 Font Axle 6,540 Rear Trailer 23,700lbs
Just truck alone 4,980 Front 3,840 Rear

What's your rear axle GAWR?

Rusty

Mine is 6,100#. (same truck basically)

Page #72
RustyJC
Explorer
Jan 11, 2017
MartyMoose wrote:
2012 F250 6.7 Lariat 4x4 Crew Cab
With 35ft toyhauler attached 5,020 Font Axle 6,540 Rear Trailer 23,700lbs
Just truck alone 4,980 Front 3,840 Rear

What's your rear axle GAWR?

Rusty

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Towing expereinces with F-250

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