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tunatundra's avatar
tunatundra
Explorer
Feb 17, 2016

Tow with what I have.....I need your experience..

I just bought a 2015 F-250 diesel 6.7 with very low miles. I will not consider buying a bigger horse but will consider mods to increase the towing capacity a wee bit. I don't have a hitch as yet.

From the stickers on the door and looking at my VIN Number from Ford:

GVWR 10,000
Front GAWR 5,200
Rear GAWR 6,100
Weight of Occupants and Cargo 2,229 lbs.
LT275/70 18" @65 lbs
3.73
GCWR 19,000
5th Wheel Max Trailer wt - 12,100 .on the door sticker or VIN.

I am looking at two 5th wheels.
Length UVW GVWR F Water Dry Hitch
1. 36'11" 10520 12200 48 gal 1880
2. 38'1" 10372 12465 60 gal 1990

So, I am at the limit or a little over. We have a spring manufacturer/installer just a few miles from me that has a great reputation for adding towing capacity to trucks.
They recommend adding "helper" springs that go on top of the racks. They only compress when weight is applied and do not effect the ride while not towing. They also gave me an alternative of adding more leaves to match a 350. The helper springs and 1000 lbs to 3000 lbs to the towing capacity depending on which set I purchase. $169 a set.

What do you think of the my alternatives.

Side note: 5th wheel #2 has a 60 gal water capacity (500 lbs} that I will never ever carry so if I would carry 200 lbs I would save 300 lbs on GVWR. Should I think that way?

Thank you for you response and time.
Tow Vehicles

29 Replies

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  • rcjunkie's avatar
    rcjunkie
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2016
    It is my understanding that if you exceed the manufacturer's GVWR and other ratings and are involved in an accident you may be found liable for an accident even if you weren't at fault. Your insurance company may also "dump" you and not cover you for towing above manufacturer's rated capacities.

    This is why I just bought a F350.
  • blt2ski's avatar
    blt2ski
    Moderator
    Feb 17, 2016
    GCWR is ONLY a warranty weight rating. IT is NOT a legal rating. So if towing over, you are still with in warranty, Ford may deny you any warranty fixes if that is the cause for a breakdown.

    GVWR on the other hand, is a warranty, and some states legal, others like here in Wa state, we ALL pay tonnage on the truck. It is the next higher ton by taking net truck wt, times 1.5. So if your truck weighs 7000 lbs, 1.5 times = 10500, next higher ton is 12K. You buy a 12K plate, you are LEGAL to 12K lbs gvwr! My sons have 15 series trucks with 6500-7200 factory gvwr's, they both had to buy 8K plates, they are legal to 8K!

    With this in mind, if you are ooking to keep the truck level. All of the above items work. My last truck, a SW3500, I went from a 5pack with a single overload at the bottom, to a 6 leaf/single lower overload with all the leafs about 1/16" thicker, gave me an 8500 lb setup vs the stock 6400 lbs setup. Still rode smooth etc. Went from 300 lbs off the fa with a 1500 lb pitle hitch trailer, to 200 lbs off the fa. It does help to have heavier duty springs at times. My axel itself was good to 10-11K lbs. Tires, springs and rims were limit.

    marty
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Feb 17, 2016
    Old-Biscuit is right, you can't change the capacity rating. Adding springs or air bags will help keep the truck level.

    Your payload is limited, due to the heavy diesel, and the 10,000 lb GVWR. IMO, your truck is capable of handling those FWs. Yes, you may need some suspension enhancement.

    I would always want to be able to fill my fresh water tank, and not worry about it, so I would not subtract that wt.

    Your truck is more capable than some of the numbers indicate IMO, but still your decision.

    Your combined rating is higher than you posted. My 6.2 gas is rated for 19,300.

    Jerry
  • ChooChooMan74's avatar
    ChooChooMan74
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2016
    Back in the 90's, I use to tow a 42' race car trailer with my 91 F350. 10,000 was what a DRW truck grossed back then. Towing with the 7.3 IDI, E40D, and 4.10 gears was at 10,500lbs. Transmission couldn't handle the torque of the diesel and the banks turbo. Air bags kept it level. Your truck is built better than that old dually. Be safe and tow smart.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Feb 17, 2016
    I just bought a 2015 F-250 diesel 6.7 with very low miles. I will not consider buying a bigger horse but will consider mods to increase the towing capacity a wee bit. I don't have a hitch as yet.
    (snip)
    I am looking at two 5th wheels.
    .....Length UVW GVWR F Water Dry Hitch
    1. 36'11" 10520 12200 48 gal 1880
    2. 38'1" 10372 12465 60 gal 1990

    The truck won't have any problems towing either of those trailers.

    Your trucks specs you posted doesn't seem correct for a 5th wheel trailer.
    Looking at Fleet Ford spec website shows a F250 6.7 diesel has a 3.31 or 3.55 gears has a 16k lb tow rating for a Gn or 5th wheel trailer.
    GCWR is 23500 Lbs.

    The F350 DRW gets the 3.73 gears.
    Also the 12100 lb trailer weight is for a bumper pull. ford towing specs


    I wouldn't add any thing to a trucks suspension till you load it up and make a short drive down the road. Then is the tie to make that decision.
  • drittal's avatar
    drittal
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2016
    Another thing to consider is the GCWR. Your cargo, occupants, and accessories on/in the truck will count against your tow rating.

    If the GCWR is 19,000, and per sticker your truck weighs 7771lbs. That means 11,229 left for trailer, cargo, passengers.
  • abc40kids's avatar
    abc40kids
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2016
    Add a pair of Firestone Ride-Rite air bags to the back of your 250, they will keep your truck nice and level while hooked up.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Feb 17, 2016
    Nothing will 'increase towing capacity'

    You either tow within the trucks mfg. ratings or you justify going over.


    Either one of those 5vr right off the get go will put you over on trucks payload (cargo capacity) as they will have 2200# (+) wet pin weight.
  • CampingN_C_'s avatar
    CampingN_C_
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2016
    Yes, you'll be over on your cargo rating but not your RAWR. I personally wouldn't hesitate to pull it with my truck. These trucks are capable of carrying much more than what they're class weight restrictions keep them at. I've had around 2K lbs or more on mine between cargo and hitch weight and it still wasn't squatted level. You could easily be closer to 3K lbs. Maybe look at Timbres or airbags.
    Some will tell you not to go one pound over your rating though.

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