Is the F250 enough truck

Iowacamper · 07-18-2013, 04:38 AM

We are looking at purchasing a 2013 Raptor (velocity) 300MP
advertised-- Dry weight = 11985 Hitch= 2690
Truck 2013 F250, SRW, 156"wb, 10,000# GVWR, 5,240# Frnt axle, 6,100# Rear, 3:55 gears , 6.7 scorpion power stroke deisel.
I did have remote controlled air bags installed when purchased.
Per Fords Website--- the chart shows 5th w trailer weight at 16,100# and allowable payload 3,250#
I have not had the opportunity to actually scale the combination yet, but I intend to do so before signing the check.
I am curious if anyone has a similar combination or has an opinion on this combination. We are weekenders and although once in a while, travel up to 500 miles, most of the trips are within 150 miles.

scuba0331 · 07-18-2013, 07:12 AM

Sorry I do not have that setup but you are within the towing capabilites for sure.

I'm sure a dually would be better but for the limited amount of time you tow I'm sure you will be fine.

Worse case scenario you trade your truck in for a F450 or F550!

stevem4134 · 07-18-2013, 07:17 AM

What does the driver's door pillar tag say is the allowed payload for the F250?

tanman32225 · 07-18-2013, 07:37 AM

No problem. I tow a Voltage 3200 which is probably similar in size and weight. It tows like a dream. I have been all over the the mountains of NC and the flats of Florida. It will perform well.

MarkS · 07-18-2013, 07:44 AM

My guess is you will be way over on rear axel weight. It may work, but watch your rear tires like a hawk.

Iowacamper · 07-18-2013, 07:53 AM

rears tires are load range E -- 3740 rated pounds.

Rear axle loading is 6100 --(no specific payload on door tag) Fords website says 3250 payload.

MarkS · 07-18-2013, 08:21 AM

Again guessing. If you have a crew cab, I think you are probably at 3500 rear axle with just you and a full tank. Diesels are heavy. Add 2960 hitch weight, most of which goes on the rear axle, you will be over. You will also be over the 10,000 lb limit.

You didn't say what cab you have, so it may be a little less.

Toy haulers are more difficult to predict. Depends on how you load the trailer.

Don't want to rain on your parade, but you asked. It may be worth driving over a CAT scale with your truck just to check empty weights.

People pull amazing stuff with 3/4 tones.

Javi · 07-18-2013, 08:23 AM

There will be a tag like this and it will have payload...

stevem4134 · 07-19-2013, 06:19 AM

I have found that the data on Ford's website has conditions. Such as only taking into account a standard equipped F250 and a 150 lbs driver. The tag on the pillar takes into account the actual weight of truck you have.

For example, my truck weighs in at 8100 lbs. I have a 2011 with almost the exact specs as yours (F250 SB, Diesel, Crew cab, 10K package) . Per my door pillar my max factory recommended payload is only 2080 lbs. That is a far cry from the info that I found on the ford website and publications.

After factoring in hitch weight (actual fifth wheel hitch, about 300 lbs), passengers, cargo, and fuel, and if I stay with the factor recommended max payload, I only have room for a 1300 to 1500 lbs trailer hitch weight. What an eye opener.

Recommend you weigh your truck before determining what trailer to get.

**JRTJH** · 07-19-2013, 04:02 PM

Steve,

My new F250 is much the same. On the Ford website, it's "touted" as having a payload of 3350. On the door sticker, its payload is listed at 2747. That's 603 lbs less than advertised, a significant difference, in my opinion. Mine is a 6.2L gas engine, so it's not only the diesel trucks that have "reduced below advertised payload" issues.

Iowacamper · 07-19-2013, 07:54 PM

scaled the truck today
Front axle = 5,140#
Rear axle = 4,040#
total weight = 9,180#

Tag on truck payload 1,940#

GVWR= 10,000# --- guess I can not haul a fith wheel at all...

For sale - 2011 Wildcat! --JUST KIDDING

Iowacamper · 07-19-2013, 08:00 PM

Thanks for the tip on the 3200 -- we took a road trip today to check out a 2013 V3200... Weights are very similar. But after you mentioned having one, I looked it up online then we took our road trip today. Glad we went to look at one. Now we are leaning toward the 3200--- LOL

rhagfo · 07-19-2013, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowacamper

We are looking at purchasing a 2013 Raptor (velocity) 300MP
advertised-- Dry weight = 11985 Hitch= 2690
Truck 2013 F250, SRW, 156"wb, 10,000# GVWR, 5,240# Frnt axle, 6,100# Rear, 3:55 gears , 6.7 scorpion power stroke deisel.
I did have remote controlled air bags installed when purchased.
Per Fords Website--- the chart shows 5th w trailer weight at 16,100# and allowable payload 3,250#
I have not had the opportunity to actually scale the combination yet, but I intend to do so before signing the check.
I am curious if anyone has a similar combination or has an opinion on this combination. We are weekenders and although once in a while, travel up to 500 miles, most of the trips are within 150 miles.

Well my math puts you in question, 10,000 GVWR - the 3,250 payload = a 6,750# curb weight TV, not likely with a 2013 F250! Don't forget that 3,250 includes everything you put into the truck! That is you your passengers, the hitch, firewood, tools etc. 3,250 - 2,690 = 560# for all that stuff, and that pin weight is DRY, not loaded.

Just an FYI Air Bags do NOT increase Payload, they just level the load and make you think you are OK! That is the #1 reason I don't run them, if I need air bags I must be overloaded.

Hansel · 07-24-2013, 07:07 PM

I'm not an expert, but I think your pushing it with the F-250, I'd look into a F-350 or a smaller 5th wheel.

T11ravis · 07-25-2013, 04:03 PM

I have pretty close to the same set up and just went through this last fall.

First time I weighed I wanted a "worst case" number so I loaded it up. Wife, son, dog and luggage in truck, filled the water tank completely, had 2 bikes in the back, etc. Rear axle was 6360... not good.

Next time I rearranged some things from the basement to the garage, only had about 40 gals. of water and was by myself in the truck. Rear axle was 5780.

I've towed it about 4K miles and have learned that 60 mph is the limit. Anything over that and the steering starts to feel vague.

I'll be getting a F350 DRW in the next year or two.

Jim Dow · 07-25-2013, 06:05 PM

I tow a Montana High Country with my F250 crew cab, and it works fine even with an extra 45 gal of diesel in an extra tank in the bed. I do pay attention to the tires.

billstuart · 07-28-2013, 12:06 PM

I know some of you purests probably think I'm crazy, but I tow a big fiver with an F250 and feel very safe. I've added Timbren springs and Goodyear Wrangler Pro Grade tires. From what I've been able to learn, the biggest difference between an F250 and an F350 is the emblems - same power train, same axles, same brakes, maybe an extra leaf in the rear springs of the 350. If I were going to buy a new truck, I would go with a 1 ton. That said, since you already have an F250, I'd try it and see if it feels safe to you before I took a loss on it.

dave-g · 08-06-2013, 02:17 AM

"Just an FYI Air Bags do NOT increase Payload, they just level the load and make you think you are OK! That is the #1 reason I don't run them, if I need air bags I must be overloaded."

I all most agree- when you load any pick up - the rear springs compress-( this is normal) the head light go out of adjustment. and the *** end sits lower- all normal with out being over loaded.

But I agree 100% they do not increase payload.

Also a 2011-2012 250- and f350 srw are 100% the same except for springs. I'm sure other years are also but I have not researched those.

tanman32225 · 08-06-2013, 05:07 AM

I am with you IowaCamper... I also have a F250. I tow a 3200 Voltage. It specs out about the same as yours. I have towed it all over the south US without any problems through rain, up and down hills and through the mountains. No airbags just OEM vehicle save for an exhaust change and it performs exceptionally well. I have had the rear loaded with two Goldwing m/c and the camper packed out. It was not scaled but I am guessing in the 15K range or more. Not a problem.

Dont let the naysayers get your down, your vehicle will perform just fine. Sure a 350 or even 450 would have been better but we go with what we can afford and what we have. Sorry guys not digging at anyone just presenting my situation also. Happy Camping.

**JRTJH** · 08-06-2013, 07:21 AM

tanman and Iowacamper,

As a recent "convert" to F250 fifth wheel towing, I came from the "old school" where I towed a smaller fifth wheel with an F150. There were countless members here (and in other forums) who said I was "unsafe" or "overloaded" not by weights, but because I was towing with an F150. I weighed my rig before I bought it (empty of course) and then weighed my rig fully loaded and ready for camping (on the way out of town the first camping trip). My weights were all well within the GVW, GCWR, RAWR and FAWR. I felt safe towing the rig because the numbers were right. All the "heavy duty truck towers" were telling me that numbers were the only way to know if I was safe or not.

Now, if I hear you correctly, tanman, you're saying that numbers don/t matter as long as you "feel safe" because you guess it's in the 15K range? I'm not criticizing your logic, but trying to understand it.

Somewhere there seems to be a "disconnect" in the thinking between "having to weigh an F150" and "feeling safe without weights in an F250." Could someone (annyone) please explain why it's OK to tow with "guessed weights" in one truck and "unsafe at any weight" in a lighter one? Somewhere, I'm not following the relative safety comparison.

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