Upgrade to 5th wheel

[Taxman2436]

I have a 2019 Ford F-250 6.7l diesel. I’m looking at a Grand Design 320MKS but want to make sure my truck can haul it. According to the brochure the trailer is 10,721 UVW. According to Fords towing guide the truck will tow 14,800 lbs. I’m thinking that if it will I may need to beef up the rear suspension. Also, I’m not sure how “UVW” relates to the actual weight I will be towing. Also looking for hitch recommendations.
Thanks for any help provided.

Lenny

[Lantley]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Lantley wrote:

2112 wrote:
I calculate it this way:
6340-2840=3500lbs. This is your rear axle limit
3500-200=3300lbs. Subtract 200lbs for the hitch
12000 X 0.25=3000. Guesstimated pin weight if the 12,000lb trailer is loaded to the max

3300-3000=300. You have 300lb margin on your rear axle.

I thought the pin weight was taken at 20% of gross weight not 25%.
12000 x .20= 2400 3300-2400=900

Have you ever actually weighed your 5er fully loaded? Many are 25% pin as my last two DRV's have been.

You and I know DRV's are very nice rigs, however they are also heavier than most. I don't doubt DRV's have 25% pin weights but the OP was not referring to a DRV. I also imagine DRV are at least 5% heavier than most comparable size RV's.

[Cummins12V98]

GVWR is ONLY their licensing and to keep the truck in a certain classification. Stay at or under your axle ratings and all will be fine. Be sure your trucks tonnage covers the weight on it's tires.

If you add to over 12k you most likely will need bags.

[Cummins12V98]

Lantley wrote:

2112 wrote:
I calculate it this way:
6340-2840=3500lbs. This is your rear axle limit
3500-200=3300lbs. Subtract 200lbs for the hitch
12000 X 0.25=3000. Guesstimated pin weight if the 12,000lb trailer is loaded to the max

3300-3000=300. You have 300lb margin on your rear axle.

I thought the pin weight was taken at 20% of gross weight not 25%.
12000 x .20= 2400 3300-2400=900

Have you ever actually weighed your 5er fully loaded? Many are 25% pin as my last two DRV's have been.

[Cummins12V98]

Taxman2436 wrote:
OK, so the rear GAWR is 6340 and the RAW is 2840. So, it appears the 12000 for the loaded trailer would be OK, but would I be pushing to the limit?

I towed a 12k Loaded 5er with my 98 2500 CUMMINS/RAM with NO air bags for modifications to the suspension. You will be just fine!!!

[JIMNLIN]

Taxman2436 wrote:
OK, so the rear GAWR is 6340 and the RAW is 2840. So, it appears the 12000 for the loaded trailer would be OK, but would I be pushing to the limit?

AS another poster says the truck will have a 3500 lb in the bed payload (6340 minus 2840 = 3500 lbs over the rear axle. I assume the 2840 lb number is a actual scaled weight.
Just stay under rawr that way your legal from a dot ticket nor will you face any civil lawsuit for exceeding a gvwr/payload sticker. Some rv folks like to scare others with civil lawsuit theory for exceeding a gvwr payload sticker.

Short bed truck ?
Depends on trailers front corner profile...and placement of the hitch in the bed. Newer trailers have a notched/rounded front corners made for short bed trucks and eliminates the need for a sliding hitch.
Also pin placement zero over the trucks rear axle will help make more cab to trailer front cap distance while turning.

[Grit_dog]

Didn’t even get through 2 pages before the liability lawsuit paranoia came up.
Nice work team!

[rhagfo]

Taxman2436 wrote:
Thank you all for your help! I’m told that I should have a sliding hitch with the short bed. Is a gooseneck hitch a possibility?

Goose Box is the only Lippert approved goose neck hitch.

[rhagfo]

Taxman2436 wrote:
I have a 2019 Ford F-250 6.7l diesel. I’m looking at a Grand Design 320MKS but want to make sure my truck can haul it. According to the brochure the trailer is 10,721 UVW. According to Fords towing guide the truck will tow 14,800 lbs. I’m thinking that if it will I may need to beef up the rear suspension. Also, I’m not sure how “UVW” relates to the actual weight I will be towing. Also looking for hitch recommendations.
Thanks for any help provided.

Lenny

Taxman2436 wrote:
OK, so the rear GAWR is 6340 and the RAW is 2840. So, it appears the 12000 for the loaded trailer would be OK, but would I be pushing to the limit?

Well here are your specs for the trailer.

UVW1 10,721 lbs
Hitch Weight1 2,104 lbs
GVWR 13,995 lbs
Carrying capacity 3,274 lbs

Well, the unloaded weight is 10,721 lbs, and the carrying capacity is 3,274 so if just weekending and vacations likely not going to use all that carrying capacity. I will say an estimate of 1,300 lbs of stuff is a bit light. Lets say you get to 12,500# for the 5er. Now 20% of that is 2,500 lbs.
Now rear axle GAWR 6,340 and GAW 2,840 (is this with all normal camping stuff in the truck?) 6,340 - 2,840 = 3,500 now 3,500 - 2,500 = 1,000 lbs of remaining axle capacity.

Now the catch all what is the payload on the door sticker of your truck? About 2019/2020 Ford and GM increased the GVWR of labeled F250 / 2500 so you may have enough payload.

If you don't have enough payload, you put yourself in legal limbo. Not likely to get a ticket, but could be sued by hungry lawyer even if not your fault in a crash. I towed 1,200# to 1,700# over GVWR for several years, but within axle ratings. I just got too nervous and got a Ram 3500 CTD DRW.
Totally your choice.

[Grit_dog]

Taxman2436 wrote:
OK, so the rear GAWR is 6340 and the RAW is 2840. So, it appears the 12000 for the loaded trailer would be OK, but would I be pushing to the limit?

You’re not pushing anything to any limit with that trailer.

[MFL]

No, you don't need a heavy/expensive sliding hitch. The newer FWs are designed for the newer standard bed trucks, such as the Ford 6' 9" bed.

If you can turn your TT short/ back it in tight spaces, a FW will be just as easy.

If you mean a gooseneck adapter added to your pinbox, not a good choice.

Jerry

[Taxman2436]

Thank you all for your help! I’m told that I should have a sliding hitch with the short bed. Is a gooseneck hitch a possibility?

[Lantley]

2112 wrote:
I calculate it this way:
6340-2840=3500lbs. This is your rear axle limit
3500-200=3300lbs. Subtract 200lbs for the hitch
12000 X 0.25=3000. Guesstimated pin weight if the 12,000lb trailer is loaded to the max

3300-3000=300. You have 300lb margin on your rear axle.

I thought the pin weight was taken at 20% of gross weight not 25%.
12000 x .20= 2400 3300-2400=900

[Lwiddis]

Ok with a 300 pound margin on the TV rear axle with a 12000 pound 5er? Not me!

[Grit_dog]

Zero capacity or towing concerns with that setup. Essentially a perfectly matched combo on all accounts.

[MFL]

Your truck will work for that trailer. Your springs will likely be your weakest link, but still within spec. If your truck seems to squat more than you like, you can add aftermarket support, to restore to level.

If your truck has the FW prep kit (puck system) a B&W 3300 is a great hitch choice for your truck.

Jerry