Sure the question has been asked a million times and sorry for bringing it back up but as the title states, I got a headache from all the number floating in my head. Wife and I just put down a deposit on a used Travel Trailer, our first. We do not have a truck yet, had decided on trying to find a 2001-2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty with the 7.3 Diesel. So I don't have a official numbers, just what I've been trying to find in pdf files online.The place I bought the TT told me that F-250 can pull up to a 10,000 lbs. The numbers have me all confused as one RV place told me to look at the UVW. So do I need to pay attention to GVWR or UVW? Is there someplace online that I can find out if F-250 will put it fine? Or can someone here confirm whether nor not it would work? Do I need to be looking for a F-350? It's only a 27ft so I figured it wouldn't take much to pull it.I don't know. I'm second guessing myself and driving myself mad. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.Thanks,JeffreyEDIT:sorry forgot to post pic of weight sticker from trailer.

UVW or unloaded vehicle weights are meaningless. They are basically what the factory says it should weigh as it rolled off the assembly line. As for the trailer. Always look at its GVWR. While you may not hit that number, you sure as heck will never see a dry weight either. And by using GVWR figures you will have no surprises the first trip across the scales.As for your basic question, the 7.3L should be able to tow a 10,000GVWR trailer easily. Of corse rear end ratios play into the equasion so you need to do your home work there too. Or be prepared to shell out for a different gear set if it is not a good one.Next worry will be the hitch. Many trucks do not have a hitch rated for up to 10,000 pounds of towing capacity. So you will need to check that out too.

A friend uses an older F250 to pull his 5th wheel and has no problem. His 5th wheel weighs nearly 10,000 lbs loaded.You can expect 25 to 45 MPH up hills with 6 to 10% grades.

7400 lb tailer should do just fine with the truck you mention. The IMPORTANT numbers for you are the GVWR or your truck as it relates to the ACTUAL weight when ready to tow. If the Actual weight is under the GVWR that's a good thing. If it's a 5th wheel you'll probably also need to take into account the GAWR (axle ratings) and be sure your axles are under their rated weight when towing your trailer but most likely you WILL be under with a trailer that light.Maximum trailer weight is a warranty issue, NOT a safety number so unless you have a warranty to be concerned about it's probably NOT an issue.Good luck / Skip

Jeffrey99 wrote:Sure the question has been asked a million times and sorry for bringing it back up but as the title states, I got a headache from all the number floating in my head. Wife and I just put down a deposit on a used Travel Trailer, our first. We do not have a truck yet, had decided on trying to find a 2001-2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty with the 7.3 Diesel. So I don't have a official numbers, just what I've been trying to find in pdf files online.The place I bought the TT told me that F-250 can pull up to a 10,000 lbs. The numbers have me all confused as one RV place told me to look at the UVW. So do I need to pay attention to GVWR or UVW? Is there someplace online that I can find out if F-250 will put it fine? Or can someone here confirm whether nor not it would work? Do I need to be looking for a F-350? It's only a 27ft so I figured it wouldn't take much to pull it.I don't know. I'm second guessing myself and driving myself mad. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.Thanks,JeffreyEDIT:sorry forgot to post pic of weight sticker from trailer. I pulled that size trailer with a '99 Dodge 1500, 5.2L 4 speed auto,3.55 rear gears and did just fine. Towed it to the Black Hills and to Great Falls,Mt. If you get a Ford 7.3 you will have more than enough truck. JMHO

You should be good with a F250 7.3

Newb drowning in all the weight number, please help

donn0128
Explorer II
May 16, 2013
UVW or unloaded vehicle weights are meaningless. They are basically what the factory says it should weigh as it rolled off the assembly line. As for the trailer. Always look at its GVWR. While you may not hit that number, you sure as heck will never see a dry weight either. And by using GVWR figures you will have no surprises the first trip across the scales.
As for your basic question, the 7.3L should be able to tow a 10,000GVWR trailer easily. Of corse rear end ratios play into the equasion so you need to do your home work there too. Or be prepared to shell out for a different gear set if it is not a good one.
Next worry will be the hitch. Many trucks do not have a hitch rated for up to 10,000 pounds of towing capacity. So you will need to check that out too.
the_bear_II
Explorer
May 16, 2013
A friend uses an older F250 to pull his 5th wheel and has no problem. His 5th wheel weighs nearly 10,000 lbs loaded.

You can expect 25 to 45 MPH up hills with 6 to 10% grades.
skipnchar
Explorer
May 16, 2013
7400 lb tailer should do just fine with the truck you mention. The IMPORTANT numbers for you are the GVWR or your truck as it relates to the ACTUAL weight when ready to tow. If the Actual weight is under the GVWR that's a good thing. If it's a 5th wheel you'll probably also need to take into account the GAWR (axle ratings) and be sure your axles are under their rated weight when towing your trailer but most likely you WILL be under with a trailer that light.
Maximum trailer weight is a warranty issue, NOT a safety number so unless you have a warranty to be concerned about it's probably NOT an issue.
Good luck / Skip
john_bet
Explorer II
May 16, 2013
Jeffrey99 wrote:
Sure the question has been asked a million times and sorry for bringing it back up but as the title states, I got a headache from all the number floating in my head. Wife and I just put down a deposit on a used Travel Trailer, our first. We do not have a truck yet, had decided on trying to find a 2001-2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty with the 7.3 Diesel. So I don't have a official numbers, just what I've been trying to find in pdf files online.

The place I bought the TT told me that F-250 can pull up to a 10,000 lbs. The numbers have me all confused as one RV place told me to look at the UVW. So do I need to pay attention to GVWR or UVW?

Is there someplace online that I can find out if F-250 will put it fine? Or can someone here confirm whether nor not it would work? Do I need to be looking for a F-350? It's only a 27ft so I figured it wouldn't take much to pull it.

I don't know. I'm second guessing myself and driving myself mad. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeffrey

EDIT:sorry forgot to post pic of weight sticker from trailer.
I pulled that size trailer with a '99 Dodge 1500, 5.2L 4 speed auto,3.55 rear gears and did just fine. Towed it to the Black Hills and to Great Falls,Mt. If you get a Ford 7.3 you will have more than enough truck. JMHO
45Ricochet
Explorer
May 16, 2013
You should be good with a F250 7.3
goducks10
Explorer
May 16, 2013
I towed that size TT with an 10 F150 5.4 and a 12 Ram 2500 CTD. You'll do better than my F150 but not as well as the Ram CTD. I got to where I was going with either one. You should too. don't worry hitch up a go.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
May 16, 2013
Any modern 3/4 ton truck will pull the 7400 GVWR TT without issue. It would not have to be a diesel either which will give you many more options.
Jeffrey99
Explorer
May 16, 2013
Thanks guys. I thought it'd be fine but was just getting all confused on the numbers.
bimbert84
Explorer
May 18, 2013
Most modern, properly-equipped 1/2-tons will pull that trailer. A 3/4-ton diesel will obviously do it, too, but it'll be overkill.

-- Rob
ependydad
Explorer
May 20, 2013
In my opinion, you shouldn't exceed a truck's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

For planning, you plan on a worst case scenario and you look at the trailer's GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) which is 7,400 pounds. Since it's a travel trailer, you will have a tongue weight of 740-1,100 pounds (10%-15%).

The truck that you buy needs to have available payload for you, your passengers, any add-ons you add to the truck (bed cover, topper, etc.) and anything that you carry (firewood, bikes, foods, coolers, activities, car seats, booster seats, electronics, etc.) in addition to the 740-1100 pounds of tongue weight.

For instance, my wife, two kids (one in an infant seat w/ base and the other in a booster), our truck adds on (hard/roll-top cover) and hitch all weigh about 1,200 pounds. To pull the travel trailer you're considering, we would need payload amounts in the range of 1,900-2,300 pounds.

Forum Discussion

Newb drowning in all the weight number, please help

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Arbitrary numbers?

Weight doubters..

Onan part numbers

Vin number location???

Very sad at number of useless posts