Opinion on weights for TV/5th wheel combo

[pwrplay]

Hi everyone,

We are looking into getting a new 5th wheel and are considering one that has the following specs:
Dry pin weight: 1980#
Dry Trailer weight: 10653#
GVWR is 13995#.

We have 2009 F250 CC with 6.8L V10, 4.10 Rear end with the following specs:

Payload= 2550# (as per yellow sticker)
GRAWR=6100#
GFAWR=5100#
5th Wheel towing cap = 14100#


We would load up around 1500# of gear in the trailer. With this our pin weight would be about 2500#. Right at the payload limit of the TV as you can see.
We would have about 600# of weight in the truck when camping (2 adults 2 kids and a dog etc..). This brings our payload to about 3100#

So we would be about 600# over payload cap and pretty much right at the GRAWR of 6100# plus or minus, once the trucks curb weigh is added in.

My question is would you pull this trailer with this truck? I'm probably correct is saying this is too much trailer for this truck, but I wouldn't mind hearing some real-world experiences.

I know that the RAWR is the weakest link in this set up. An F250 has a Visteon rear axle MAX rated at 6200# and the F350 has a Visteon axle MAX rated at 7280#. So realistically no amount of suspension mods are going to actually increase the amount of payload this truck can carry due to the lower rated axle on the F250.

[Winged_One]

pwrplay wrote:
Hi everyone,

1) My question is would you pull this trailer with this truck?

I'm probably correct is saying this is too much trailer for this truck, but I wouldn't mind hearing some real-world experiences.

I know that the RAWR is the weakest link in this set up. An F250 has a Visteon rear axle MAX rated at 6200# and the F350 has a Visteon axle MAX rated at 7280#. So realistically no amount of suspension mods are going to actually increase the amount of payload this truck can carry due to the lower rated axle on the F250.

1. No.

You are in 350 territory. Consider you might have as much as 800 lbs additional on your pin from added stuff. We do.

Consider something 2000lbs lighter if your going to stay with the same truck.

[kennethwooster]

I have not pulled with a gas, but have pulled with F250s and they were always overloaded, no matter what trailer we pulled. I've had a F350 with single rear wheel which did a very good job. Now however; I have a F350 DRW, with all packages for towing more weight and hauling more weight.

[railtim]

I purchased a travel supreme 5th 3 axle 14000 empty, loaded 17000 and I pull it to Florida a couple of times and then around northern In. camping. I knew the trailer was too big for the truck, f-250hd diesel w/air bags, and asked the salesman if it was ok. I knew the answer to the question before I asked it. That's the problem when you purchase the truck before the trailer! The trailer pulls like a dream, but I'm very cautious how I drive and rest the truck every 2 hrs or so at rest stops. I need a F-450 HD dually diesel, but the problems they have with the 6.4's and 6.7's scares me to death. I know what I have, 6.0 w/187,00 miles, it pulls like there's nothing behind me.
Good Luck!

[goducks10]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
The GVWR of that 5vr is 14K......

I tow a 14K 5vr with my 3500 Diesel 4:10........I am right at RAWR/Rear Tire MAX Load Ratings and I would NOT tow it with a 2500.

Sorry...too much trailer.

Stick with a 5vr that has a GVWR of 12K or less if using 2500

There's only 200lb difference between the 2500 and 3500 on RAWR. Tires will cure that.

OP won't be towing 14,000lbs, at the most 12,000. Certainly within the 2500 specs.

GVWR's are useless. If a 5'er has a UVW of 10,000lbs and has GVWR of 12,500 that's okay. But if a 5'er has a 10,000lb UVW and has a GVW of 14,000lbs that's not okay? GVWR is only good for figuring out how much CCC a trailer has. My 5'er has a 4315lb CCC. I will never load that much stuff in it. But using the 11,500lb GVWR and 20% pin weight rule I would be over the trucks GVW before I even set foot in it. As it is the pin is 1800lbs because the GVWR doesn't come into play. 5'er weighs 9000lbs loaded, not 11,500lbs.

[pwrplay]

Dave H M wrote:
Me, heck yeah I would hook it up and not split and more hairs.

I do not know the V 10's but if that is as three valve things would even be better.

That stuff about not pulling over 10K with gas is pure urban legend.

And i am sure you know ahead of time those ponies under the hood are gonna be hungry.

Then again if you are not on a budget. :h

Ya its a 3v V10 so no worries about power. 360+ HP & 467ft/lbs torque @3250 RPM is plenty to pull a 14k rig. Just got to get the RPM's up into the sweet spot, that's when the torque starts to kick in.

[Dave_H_M]

Me, heck yeah I would hook it up and not split and more hairs.

I do not know the V 10's but if that is as three valve things would even be better.

That stuff about not pulling over 10K with gas is pure urban legend.

And i am sure you know ahead of time those ponies under the hood are gonna be hungry.

Then again if you are not on a budget. :h

[Old-Biscuit]

JustinJohnson wrote:
I have a 37' 10" length fifth wheel of Heartland brands. As we know that this is one of the most respected manufacturers of fifth wheels in the industry. I am happy about the weight of my RV.

That sounds like a sales pitch for a dealership that sells Heartland products.

[JustinJohnson]

I have a 37' 10" length fifth wheel of Heartland brands. As we know that this is one of the most respected manufacturers of fifth wheels in the industry. I am happy about the weight of my RV.

[Cummins12V98]

Bigpops wrote:
We had a F250 V10 towing a similar type 5er, and had no problems. I did add Airlift 5000 air bags so I could level the truck out. I simply hated the mileage I got whether I was towing or not. I did upgrade my truck this year to a F350 diesel, and what a difference. It cost me $800 less to tow to Florida this year and the ride was much better.

It can be done, you should try it and decide for your self, and see how you like it.

You did as everyone that has a 250/2500 should do instead of adding band-aids to try to make their underrated truck to what the proper truck will do.

As you said "what a difference" !

If you need air bags to bring the rear up to level you need a heavier duty truck.

[pwrplay]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
The GVWR of that 5vr is 14K......

I tow a 14K 5vr with my 3500 Diesel 4:10........I am right at RAWR/Rear Tire MAX Load Ratings and I would NOT tow it with a 2500.

Sorry...too much trailer.

Stick with a 5vr that has a GVWR of 12K or less if using 2500

Agreed. I have decided to look into the Prime Time Crusader 335BHDS. Very comparable to the other (Reflection 323BHS) but is a 12K GVWR (has 1 less deep slide). I think my truck will like this one better. 😄 .

[Old-Biscuit]

The GVWR of that 5vr is 14K......

I tow a 14K 5vr with my 3500 Diesel 4:10........I am right at RAWR/Rear Tire MAX Load Ratings and I would NOT tow it with a 2500.

Sorry...too much trailer.

Stick with a 5vr that has a GVWR of 12K or less if using 2500

[sail2liv]

Look at your GCWR....much over 10k would want a diesel....

[pwrplay]

Bigpops wrote:
We had a F250 V10 towing a similar type 5er, and had no problems. I did add Airlift 5000 air bags so I could level the truck out. I simply hated the mileage I got whether I was towing or not. I did upgrade my truck this year to a F350 diesel, and what a difference. It cost me $800 less to tow to Florida this year and the ride was much better.

It can be done, you should try it and decide for your self, and see how you like it.

I'd love to buy the trailer and try it our however I am not in the position to buy a new truck if it doesn't work out unfortunately .

[Bigpops]

We had a F250 V10 towing a similar type 5er, and had no problems. I did add Airlift 5000 air bags so I could level the truck out. I simply hated the mileage I got whether I was towing or not. I did upgrade my truck this year to a F350 diesel, and what a difference. It cost me $800 less to tow to Florida this year and the ride was much better.

It can be done, you should try it and decide for your self, and see how you like it.

[pwrplay]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Sorry but your pin will be at least 2,800# or more. Hitch and misc in bed adds weight. But hey you have already convinced your self it will be fine. Be sure to add Timbrens or air bags. 😉

Hey , like I said in my original post "I'm probably correct is saying this is too much trailer for this truck".

Not sure how that is convincing myself it will be fine?