F250 and a 38 ft Raptor tri axel.

[hdloride69]

We have been given a 2005 Raptor 3512ss and I'm having second thoughts on my tow vehicle. It's a 1999 F250 S/D with a 7.3 Power Stroke Auto trans .Everyone say's I'm fine and should have no problems but Im a major worry wart. Any one have the answer??? Thanks Scott

[hoffbrew]

What is your 3512 weight say on sticker? You should be fine.

[johnnyrose]

I don't think that it will be a problem unless your trailer weight is over 13,100 pounds. You also have an available payload of 2,900 pounds. I think that you will be fine.http://www.keyperformance-raptor.com...pecs&year=2005
Looks like you are just under 14,000 fully loaded with about 800 pounds to spare on the hitch.

[jrp]

Based on the published weights & rated capacities of the two, you're borderline for sure.

The 3512 once fully loaded will be around 14,000 ; with a pin weight of 2400

Back in 99 the F250 SD was rated for max towing weight of 13,100 and a GVWR around 9000. The weight of the truck itself, with 7.3L engine, fuel, passengers and stuff; is going to be 7200-7600. That leaves less than 2000 for the pin weight

So both the gross weight and the pin weight of the 5'er are going to be above the ratings of that vintage F250.

Doesnt mean it can't be done, just means you have little margin for error when less than perfect conditions jump up in front of you.

The Raptor model I pull with my 2008 F250 SD is just within the weight limits. I added HD shocks & supplemental rear air bags. They dont change the official capacities, but they sure help keep the load level and more evenly distributed. I also swaped the stock pin box for an air ride pin box. big improvement in ride

[Hansel]

Well I have a 2000 F-250 CC with a 7.3L as you, but I think that your going to have a problem with that much trailer, I truly love my 7.3L I won't trade it for a new truck at all, I have a 2005 Laredo Travel trailer that weigh's just under 9,000lbs dry, and everything else (camping supplies) it's just at what I believe is my trucks limit.

Wish I had some encouraging thought's but I think you need more truck personally.

[hdloride69]

Well I realy appriceate all the info but I'm torn..I dont plan on filling the fuel tank or the fresh water holding tank I'm wondering if thats caculated into the final weight? Thaks again Scott

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by hdloride69

Well I realy appriceate all the info but I'm torn..I dont plan on filling the fuel tank or the fresh water holding tank I'm wondering if thats caculated into the final weight? Thaks again Scott

If you think a full fuel tank or a full water tank will put you in the danger zone, you're already way overloaded. Tow vehicle capacity should be planned around full everything, not "I promise never to tow with any water in the tanks."

Too much trailer, too little truck.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by hdloride69

We have been given a 2005 Raptor 3512ss and I'm having second thoughts on my tow vehicle. It's a 1999 F250 S/D with a 7.3 Power Stroke Auto trans .Everyone say's I'm fine and should have no problems but Im a major worry wart. Any one have the answer??? Thanks Scott

You MIGHT be fine, but stretching the limits for sure, is the 7.3 a NA or turbo? Is the truck totally stock or any improvements?
Tires D or E rated?
Our 05 Copper Canyon 293 loaded with three adults put our weight at 18,100#, which is 2,100# over the rated CGVW for my 2001 QCLB 4X4 5 speed Cummins 5.9 turbo. That said it came with Tow and Camper package, sits level with the 5er on the truck, and I can pull hills at 60. I am not worried as the standard cab LB is rated for 20K#, the layout of the cab should not affect the CGVW only payload ! It is stable and steers and tracks well, would not want to go much larger.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by hdloride69

Well I realy appriceate all the info but I'm torn..I dont plan on filling the fuel tank or the fresh water holding tank I'm wondering if thats caculated into the final weight? Thaks again Scott

I owned a 99 superduty supercab 7.3L diesel 4x4 and towed a 93 HR travel trailer with it. I had added a hypertech chip and had more than enough power as well as "tuggability" for almost any trailer being built at that time. However, the truck weighed 6800 lbs empty with a GVW of 8800. So, with a pin weight where you're anticipating, you'll be at or over your limit.

Actually, with the RV fuel tank in the rear (I don't know where the water tank is located) filling the fuel tank will lighten the pin weight and actually make you "less overloaded" when you tow.

To answer your question about whether the fuel/water weight is calculated into the final weight? The quick answer is "NO". To further explain, from the factory, the weight on the yellow tag is the weight of the EMPTY trailer with empty propane tanks (you must add propane weight as cargo) no battery, no water, no added cargo and nothing in the holding tanks.

Just another thought to consider.....

[hdloride69]

Well I want to thank everyone who commented on my question.We're going to test it and see how she pull's and rides. If there any issues I talked to my local spring work guy and he said for around 400.00 to 500.00 he can add enough to basically make it a 350 suspension! Cheaper than a new truck.Thanks again and see you on the road!!!Scott

[Hansel]

Originally Posted by hdloride69

Well I want to thank everyone who commented on my question.We're going to test it and see how she pull's and rides. If there any issues I talked to my local spring work guy and he said for around 400.00 to 500.00 he can add enough to basically make it a 350 suspension! Cheaper than a new truck.Thanks again and see you on the road!!!Scott

Another thing you want to change is that stock tranny cooler, its about the size of a compter keyboard alot of guys including myself have swapped out the 7.3L cooler for the one that came with the 6.0L, it's huge compared too the stock 7.3L. You can go to Tousley Ford and get a great price on the 6.0L cooler.

PM me if you need more info

[JRTJH]

You say that for a price a suspension shop will make your F250 basically "the same as a 350" It's already dog gone near that and adding the extra suspension won't change the tire load rating nor will it increase (substantially) the pin weight capability of your F250. You're still going to be "under-trucked" and "over-trailered."

Tell ya what: When you get this oversized and under rated rig ready to roll, post your itinerary here so the rest of us can avoid that stretch of roadway until after you've dragged that rig through the area.......

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by hdloride69

Well I want to thank everyone who commented on my question.We're going to test it and see how she pull's and rides. If there any issues I talked to my local spring work guy and he said for around 400.00 to 500.00 he can add enough to basically make it a 350 suspension! Cheaper than a new truck.Thanks again and see you on the road!!!Scott

Scott, improving the suspension will only go so far. At some point, it all comes down to the tires. No matter how beefy the vehicle is, you can not make the tires carry more weight than they are rated for. (Well, you "can" put more weight on them than they are rated for, but sooner or later, that is a recipe for a disaster.)

E rated LT tires in 16" sizes are rated from 2680# to 3042# at 80 psi in an SRW vehicle. If you lower the psi, the weight rating falls. So, regardless of what you do to the truck and suspension, your rear axle is going to be rated between 5360# and 6084#. That's a maximum at 80 psi.

Consider that the difference between most 2500 and 3500 trucks is almost nil when it comes to drive train, frame, suspension, and brakes. The specs on SRW (single rear wheel) trucks will be virtually identical. Look closely at the rear axle ratings on the SRW 3500's (or 350's) and then look at the DRW ratings (duallies). The rear axle rating for the DRW's will be nearly double the SRW rating. It's all in the tires.

That's we talk so much about payload ratings, especially with fivers. The pin weight is what it is, and when you calculate a TV's capabilities, it uses up payload capacity on a SRW truck in a real hurry, especially on our Keystones.

My duallie is rated at 7,500# on the rear axle at 50 psi. (LT235/85R16-E Michelins) If I jack the pressure to 80 psi, the rating rises to just over 11,000#.

Maybe this will explain everyone's concerns a little better.