Looking at 2013 F250 to tow a Sprinter 311BHS

[DaveD]

Hello - is anybody on this forum towing a Sprinter 311BHS with a new Ford F250?

I'm looking at a 2013 F250 XLT, 4 door crew cab, 6.2L gas with 3.73 rear end. The window sticker says it has a "12.5k trailer hitch" and the "10000# GVWR Package".

If I'm reading the chart right, Ford's spec says that this truck has a 12,200 lb Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR). That sort of sounds like the 311BHS may be up to (or over) the limit after adding traveling cargo, fuels, water, etc.

Any feed back will be appreciated.

Thanx.

[JRTJH]

You are confusing "Max Trailer Weight" and 'Gross Combined Weight Rating" GCWR.

There is a slight difference in the 2WD and the 4WD version of the truck, but essentially, here's the specs:

GVW: 10,000
Payload: MAX 3540 (Don't believe it) my supercab is 2747 and lists at 3350
MAX TLR WT: 12,200
GCWR: 19,000 (Don't belive it) To meet the 12500 TLR weight the truck would have to weigh 6800 lbs. It's closer to 7000.

Trailer hitch rating is 12,500 lbs, the Sprinter max GVW is 10,995 with a 13% tongue weight at GVW of about 1430.

I'd say it's doable, but you will need to watch your tongue weight/hitch rating. Going to a F350, you'll see the same hitch installed, so getting a "bigger" truck won't help with the weight rating on the hitch unless you upgrade to a diesel engine or a dually with gas engine, then you'll get a 14K hitch.

[allmi01]

If you can afford the extra $, go diesel. You'll get better fuel mileage towing for sure and better running empty than the gas 6.2.

Axle's will affect towing also. My 03 Excuresion has 3.73's with a 6.0 diesel. my TT is a 10K gross. It handles it OK and yes, I'm a bit over GVW wiht a loaded TT on the hithch. I've pulled many miles this way and it workes OK and I feel safe. I've done the overloaded thing before with a 8K TT on a 99 Expedition with a 5.4 gas engine. The current combination feels a lot safer and works well for me. if you get a choice go for the 4.10's as it will help reduce some stress on the drive train. easier to get started with the shorter axle but you will lose some MPG's over 60 MPH.

All in all, you cant' go wrong going bigger.