Is this 5th wheel just right or too big?

[mcguirehg]

2011 Sandpiper 300fb, the dry weight of the 5th wheel is 11,028 and 13,873 total gvw. I will be towing with a 2002 f250, 7.3. I will be doing some upgrades, including a larger tranny cooler, already upgraded to a BTS tranny valve and plan on installing DP tunes for towing. This is our first purchase and just looking for some independent thoughts. I have be researching for a few years and decided to take the final plunge!

[Bunklash]

Add a tranny cooler, gauges, and air bags in the back. Rehab your brakes, pack light, and drive sensibly. See the set-up in my signature. My 5er weight ratings are similar to yours. I have been very satisfied with the results.
Research, research, research!

[newk]

I have a 2000 F250 much like yours. GVWR on it is a scant 8800 lbs. Mine weighs in at around 7500 without 5er. In those years they were not designed to carry much weight.

That's not to say they can't be beefed up. A neighbor of mine (with a 2000 F250) got axles, wheels, rear end, springs and the bed off of a wrecked F350 dually and made the switch for about $2K. You might also need to beef up the tranny, as has been suggested.

With our trucks, a 10K lb. 5er will put them over the GVWR.

[mcguirehg]

thanks for the feedback guys. I think I'm going to search for something a bit lighter. I will keep searching for a 5th wheel with a bunkhouse.

[losmt21]

mcguirehg wrote:
2011 Sandpiper 300fb, the dry weight of the 5th wheel is 11,028 and 13,873 total gvw. I will be towing with a 2002 f250, 7.3. I will be doing some upgrades, including a larger tranny cooler, already upgraded to a BTS tranny valve and plan on installing DP tunes for towing. This is our first purchase and just looking for some independent thoughts. I have be researching for a few years and decided to take the final plunge!

I have a 2012 f250 Diesel Truck and my trailer specs are #9760 Dry and GWVR 12,145. I am not sure what the total is as I have not weight the unit completely full and as I am camping on a regular basis. I personally wouldn't go over anything 11,000 GVWR with that truck. Thats a great engine however wouldnt recommened it.

[azdryheat]

What does the owner's manual and truck stickers have to say?

[tickman]

I recently purchased a 2014 sandpiper 32QBSS 37' long 10500 ew 13600 gw towing with 2002 F250 crew cab 7.3 4x4 it has 1900# pin weight. I had an extra leaf added to rear springs added 500# and raised truck 2.5 inches. Truck is stock and pulls trailer fine. It does the best around sixty-five mph. It was about 300.00 for the springs.

[Retired_JSO]

Might be a little heavy.
My 04 Sandpiper was a wee bit heavy on the Pin at 3,300 lbs. 8,800 0n the axles. Towed with an 07 F350 DRW and squatted about 3".

[thecampingman]

You didn't mention tires, suspension or brakes. You could take your truck to a truck spring & frame shop to have those checked.

If the Sandpiper only has magnetic drum brakes I''d definitely get an exhaust brake on the 7.3. The vented kind that won't blow your head gaskets.

With a pair of one-ton rear tires and some minor suspension upgrades I'd guess you'd be good to go.

Braking will be your weakest link, then suspension. You already had enough torque to get it moving. Unless you wanted to run in the fast lane.

[N6761U]

I have an early 99 PSD with 6 sp manual and I have pulled a 13k 40ft with no problems (no weight police here is there) I do run the superchip on the 110 hp setting, (my ford trained mechanic told me to, and so does he). Also have 4 in exhaust with US Gear exhaust brake and gauges. I run 18 in Firestone TransForce with a rating of 3675 lbs each.

[ontariofarmer]

My 03 is rated for a max weight of 12,500. As said, the engine will be fine it all has to do with the pin weight, and I know that's just over.

[Old-Biscuit]

Allworth wrote:
If it were a new 250 it would probably be OK, but an 02 ?????

You really need a 350/3500 for that weight. My trailer has a GVWR of 13,805 and is MUCH more comfortable on the 3500 than it was on my 2500 Ram.

X2

Pin weight is going to be too much for an 2002 250

My pin weight comes in at 2900# and I am at max for my '07 3500

[C_Schomer]

My 5er is 1000lbs heavier and I'm glad I have duals. I wouldn't have tried it when I had a 3/4t. Craig

[xPIXx]

Max trailer weight for that truck is anywhere from 12500 to 13900 depending on auto or man tranny and 2 or 4wd.

[Allworth]

If it were a new 250 it would probably be OK, but an 02 ?????

You really need a 350/3500 for that weight. My trailer has a GVWR of 13,805 and is MUCH more comfortable on the 3500 than it was on my 2500 Ram.