attn: Weight Police

Jayson,

Thanks for the extended explanations! I think I now understand better where your original point of view is/was and I was the one reading more into it... :)

I've been on this dang forum WAY TOO LONG (since 2002) and thus, have become very quick in jumping on posts that sound like someone is trying to "convince themselves" of doing something if they get the "correct answer" to their question..

Yes, you have learned that the "tow ratings" really don't have anything to do with what you can tow.. Especially if it's an RV.. Those ratings have nothing to do with RV's, but just "trailers" in general..

It also basically means that you don't have anything in the truck (even passengers) and that truck is not the fully optioned out trim level you have..

I've read most recently that all the big three "tow ratings" was also derived from REMOVING items in the truck such as rear bumpers, spare tires, jacks and probably a few other things off of an already base level work truck... That makes for a very low "curb weight" figure.. ;)

GVWR is all about how the truck is registered (tagged) in your state. Depending on your state, the difference can be nothing or anything over #10,000 is considered a commercial vehicle..

As was said before, Ford would even let you choose to have a door jamb sticker less than #10,000 so you could register it as a private vehicle in your state, but it was the same dang vehicle as one with the #10k tag..

I know I'm rambling, so if you are still with me, thanks!

The only real ratings you want to go by is the door jamb stickers on YOUR truck.. The manual was written to cover every single truck out there.. Not YOURS.. ;)

So, yes, your F250 is the same as an F350.... ;) BUT, you have a lower GVWR then that F350, so you probably pay less registration fee for it compared to someone with an F350..

Case in point.. My old 1997 F150 had a GVWR of #6250... I only had to pay for a #6000 tag (but I was actually good to #8000 actual GVW because of how my state tags trucks.)

My 2013 F150 has a GVWR of #7700.. I have to now pay for an #8000 tag. (about $50 more). But, I'm good for up to #10k of actual GVW! (go figure)

Would I take my truck to that weight? Heck no.... But, I could.. ;)

I ran that old 97 F150 about #500 over GVWR for over 11 years towing a #5000 TT and it towed great.. Towing the same TT with the 13 F150 and it's even better..

But, would I consider towing a #11,300 TT with my 13?? (what it's "tow rating" is)... Heck no... ;)

So, it's whatever you choose to do with your ratings and what your towing performance level is..

Thanks again and happy camping! :)

Mitch