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lovetotow's avatar
lovetotow
Explorer
Jul 22, 2020

Towing

Looking for some thoughts on a weight question, friend needs to move her 5er to new site about 10 kms, gvw 15500#, my truck f250 rated at 13000, hitch is 24000#, i would not do this normally nor for any distance. My question is can my springs take this for this short distance, and what other possible consequences could i cause.
  • I’d hitch it up and see if your springs are bottomed out. If not, I’d ease on down the road for that short distance. I wouldn’t do it a long way, or at high speeds, but this sounds like an easy tow.
  • Let's look at this another way. Assuming like most 8 lug SW trucks out there. You have typically 11900-2400 lbs empty on ra. If hitch is really 3000 lbs, you have a total of max 5400 LS on an axle rated at minimum 6000 to 7500 or so depending upon if you have an older 25 series truck like me, or on out I last 5 years or so.
    Springs and actual carry capacity of truck is not the issue.
    I would do this with my 2000 GM 2500. For 2 miles, level, speeds of what less than 25-35 mph....if everything that needs to work works. No brainier. I've got a truck with a 13500 gcwr! I've moved a few 12k trailers with it. Only issues are steeper grades where I don't have enough low gear in auto trans. That is 10%or greater grade.

    Marty
  • Stop thinking. This is not a question really. Only on rvnet would people make what you’re asking about into a debate or science experiment.
    Just move the RV for your friend, it’s fine. Seriously
  • lovetotow wrote:
    Looking for some thoughts on a weight question, friend needs to move her 5er to new site about 10 kms, gvw 15500#, my truck f250 rated at 13000, hitch is 24000#, i would not do this normally nor for any distance. My question is can my springs take this for this short distance, and what other possible consequences could i cause.
    The springs on your F250 4wd won't have any issues moving a heavy weight just once.
    Your F250 should have a 6100 rawr. The trucks rear axle may weigh in the 2900-3000 lb range leaving approx 3100-3200 lbs for a in the bed payload. The RAWR includes the lessor numbers of tires/wheels/ rear spring pack/axle assy.
    If your truck has the camper package option or heavy service package it will have the same front and rear spring packs as the F350 SRW.
    The axle assy is the same as the F350SRW.
    OEM wheel capacity is the weak link on later model trucks today.

    Like all work trucks make sure your tires/wheels capacity are up to safely carrying the load you place on them.
  • Bumpyroad wrote:
    aren't we talking about a 6 mile tow here?
    bumpy


    Yes.........
    Not sure what keeps this truck at 13K lbs max trailer vs something heavier. Small V8 vs larger V8 vs diesel? If so, the truck is more than capable of towing the 5w in question, assuming the truck is set up correctly. May go a bit slower, start slower.....it will and can get there safe and sanely.
    Of course the human part comes into play too! which is the wild card part!


    Marty
  • I would have had that thing moved in less time than has been spent on this thread.
  • I towed a 40 5 th wheel about 5 miles with my 2002 Chevrolet duramax with no problems!
  • Thanks everyone, have to check out the pin box, and then moving it next week. On the side, my truck has theheavy trailer package and snow plow set up so yes for the short distance it will nt be a problem, also the trailer is 12000 dry weight. Thanks to all for talking me through my thoughts
  • So the trailer will likely be somewhere between the 12,000lb dry weight, and whatever... Depending on how long they've been using it at its current site, it could have accumulated a LOT of cr@p, and actually weigh MORE than its GVWR.

    It's really easy to keep trucking in more and more and more when you've got a seasonal site. You don't have to put it all back in the trailer to go home on Sunday morning.

    Even so, I would just do it given the truck you have and the distance.

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