Okay, so here is an odd question that has be a bit perplexed. Looking at a new F250, and looking at the chart for ll the tow ratings, and this stands out to me. There are several cases where the 'conventional towing' weight rating is higher than the '5th wheel/gooseneck' rating?I was under the impression that 5th wheel towing always allowed for a larger/heavier trailer as the tongue weight was placed on, or even forward of the axle, rather than several feet behind it (Distance = Leverage).Anyone know what would cause this?

Class 2 ratings can be somewhat limited on paper, due to various reasons. The receiver hitch rating of about 12,500, was a previous limit, that I think has been increased on new models. In some cases, the higher conventional tow rating may be due to increased receiver rating, but RAWR may be more limiting for FW capacity. Maybe looking at class 3 (350), the ratings may show different, using same receiver, but higher RAWR, for FW use.Jerry

F250s have a lower payload. 5th Wheels place about 22% to 25% of their weight on the tow vehicle. Conventional towing places 12% to 15% on the tow vehicle. Just a math problem.

Payload and hitch weight. You use 1000-1500 lbs of payload for a 10,000 lb ball mount trailer. A 5w needs 2000-2500 for a 10,000 lb trailer. In a nutshell, one needs a truck with twice the payload to haul equal sized trailers. Been saying this this since I joined forum, no one takes it seriously.Marty

AS noted....simple mathWhere and how much weight is being placed on vehicle.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again Marty. It amazes me how many people want to get the absolute mimimum vehicle necessary for the job.

F250 Towing capacities? | Good Sam Community

Txsurfer
Explorer
Aug 18, 2017
IdaD wrote:
It used to irritate me when I'd see people say things like "that F250 is really overloaded, you need a minimum of a SRW F350." Anymore I'm getting to where I just shake my head and ignore it. If ignorance is bliss I guess I may as well let 'em be happy.

Yup - bag a 3/4 T for the same result. It's the axle and tire ratings that matter. Same on 3/4 and 1Ts. Ins and reg is cheaper on 3/4 in many cases. Reg is double in TX for a 1T for example. Not to mention in my area SRW 1Ts are not that common so harder to neg. on the price plus limited selection.
harmanrk
Explorer
Aug 18, 2017
donn0128 wrote:
I've said it before, and I'll say it again Marty. It amazes me how many people want to get the absolute mimimum vehicle necessary for the job.

Actually I'm looking at a F250 PDS to pull a 7600 pound hybrid, so hardly looking for a minimum vehicle. I was more looking at 5th wheel capacity for 'the next trailer', and found it odd the the 5th wheel capacity was less than the bumper capacity. But as it comes down to the amount of the trailer weight carried as tongue weight, that makes more sense.
valhalla360
Navigator
Aug 18, 2017
If you are buying new, almost no reason not to jump up to a 1 ton SRW. Both ride like trucks and the 1 ton will give you slightly higher ratings for almost no difference in up front cost.
IdaD
Explorer
Aug 18, 2017
It used to irritate me when I'd see people say things like "that F250 is really overloaded, you need a minimum of a SRW F350." Anymore I'm getting to where I just shake my head and ignore it. If ignorance is bliss I guess I may as well let 'em be happy.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Aug 18, 2017
^ I've said it before and I'll say it again.....Amazes me how many people don't realize that there isn't a dang bit of difference between an apples to apples F250 and F350 except the rear springs......

To the op, yes your answer likely lies with the reduced payload "capability" of the 3/4 ton.
donn0128
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2017
I've said it before, and I'll say it again Marty. It amazes me how many people want to get the absolute mimimum vehicle necessary for the job.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Aug 18, 2017
AS noted....simple math

Where and how much weight is being placed on vehicle.
blt2ski
Moderator
Aug 18, 2017
Payload and hitch weight. You use 1000-1500 lbs of payload for a 10,000 lb ball mount trailer. A 5w needs 2000-2500 for a 10,000 lb trailer. In a nutshell, one needs a truck with twice the payload to haul equal sized trailers. Been saying this this since I joined forum, no one takes it seriously.

Marty
Tiger02
Explorer
Aug 18, 2017
F250s have a lower payload. 5th Wheels place about 22% to 25% of their weight on the tow vehicle. Conventional towing places 12% to 15% on the tow vehicle. Just a math problem.
MFL
Nomad II
Aug 18, 2017
Class 2 ratings can be somewhat limited on paper, due to various reasons. The receiver hitch rating of about 12,500, was a previous limit, that I think has been increased on new models. In some cases, the higher conventional tow rating may be due to increased receiver rating, but RAWR may be more limiting for FW capacity. Maybe looking at class 3 (350), the ratings may show different, using same receiver, but higher RAWR, for FW use.

Jerry

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