Zinger Z-1 ZT252TD too heavy for F-250 6.2 Super Duty

[cactuspete]

Purchased this particular trailer August 2014 and loaded it up with two bagger Harley's and headed for Sturgis from Calgary. Pulled the unit with a 2011 F250 6.2 gasser, 3.73 crew cab short box 4x4. Truck pulled the trailer okay (8 mpg loaded) but sagged in the rear. I had Firestone airbags installed when I got home which I hoped would raise the rear. For Labor Day weekend, we loaded two touring edition quads on the front toy deck and put all of our gear in the box of the pick up under the canopy and loaded four people into the truck. Put 80 lbs per side in the airbags and headed across a local CAT scale checking each axle before making the drive to Cranbrook. I learned the following on this trip. Rear axle rated for 6100 lbs GAWR, tires rated for 3460 lbs each and the factory Class IV hitch rated for 1250 lbs max tongue weight with weight distribution bars.

What I learned from this experience was:
1. I exceeded the rear axle GAWR by 1500 lbs
2. I exceeded the receiver hitch max tongue weight (trailer hitch is 670 lbs + 750 lb quad #1 and 750 lb quad #2)
3. I exceeded the rating on the side of the tires on the rear axle by 350 lbs (rating on factory Michelins is 3640 lbs)

Everyone tells me not to worry that the truck should handle the load fine. Well it did, but I'm scared of what could happen should I be in an accident. On paper, this truck is not heavy duty enough and my research shows that only a 1 ton dually is sufficient for this tongue weight.

I thought about going to a sled/atv deck and getting a shorter trailer but I've decided to purchase a used 2011 F450 crew cab 4x4, 4.30 rear with the 6.7 L diesel. I pick it up later this week.

I am installing a Class V receiver that is rated for the 2200 lbs of tongue weight I will be hauling. It's made by Curt hitches.

I wanted to share this as my personal experience. Safety of my family and those around me is paramount hence the decision to swap out trucks.

[1L243]

I can guess that two big quads weighing in the neighborhood of 600 lbs each is dropped right on the tongue. I suspect the trailer must have at least 300/400 TW unloaded at least so OP could have 1600 to 2000 lbs of tongue weight on the back of his truck.

[N-Trouble]

I would sell that trailer in a heartbeat before even considering having to buy an F450 to tow it with. Never have been a fan of those front load so called THs.

[1L243]

Same realization came to me when I weighed my trailer when it was new. I was close to my rear axle limit but over on my OEM hitch I upgraded to a Curt also... 1700 TW and 17000 gross. My TW ended up being 1350lbs. I suspect OP is more than that with the weights he gave....

[301TBS]

Check out the crossroadsowners forum. There is a thread now with the same issues. Seems the large front deck allows for some heavy hitch weights.

[souraider]

Cactus,
Some of your numbers don't quite add up. You claim that you are exceeding the axle rating by #1500, that would be putting your drive axle weight #7500:E

Your trailer's GVWR is only #9270, that would mean a #900-#1500 tongue weight if loaded. If anything I would double check your trailer loading, or the way you are weighing it.

You do not need an F450 to tow a #9270 trailer. An f250 would be sufficient.

[Old-Biscuit]

Max Ratings are there for a reason.

Exceed them at your own risk---------which may place others at risk.

I'll exceed a vehicles GVWR BUT I will NOT exceed a tires max load rating.

I wish every RVr would take a trip across the scales, admit when they mis-calculated and fix it.

Real eye opening ain't it!

[DownTheAvenue]

Exceeding the hitch tongue weight could be disastrous but you are correcting that issue. LT tires can handle that very slight overload. Exceeding the rear axle weight rating will not be a problem in the near term. You may expect earlier failure of some axle components, but we are talking about 100,000 miles plus!