F-250 and 5th Wheel's????

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Hansel

I had a 2000 F-250 2WD that was totaled and it weighed in at 6500lbs meaning that truck could carry more, granted I need too weigh my 01 which is a 4X4 so I'm guessing it's probably over the 7000lb mark making it carry less I'd love a new truck, and I'm not as in love with my 01 as I was my 2000 F-250. I've been kinda looking at a used GMC with a diesel I'm not touching Ford new diesel just yet, but my brother let me use his Chevy 2500HD because my truck was wrecked a week before camping, and I loved it!!! It was hard keeping it under 75mph towing my Laredo 284BH it was a beast too say the least.

I thank you guys for the imput, and keep it coming if anyone can shed some light on a light weight 5th wheel manufacture.

I remember when your 2000 got totaled.
Even if you look at the GMs look 2011 or newer. 2011 is the year they changed the frame and springs, it added a lot to the payload/GVWR. I've owned two 2011 Dmax's now (2500 and 3500), personally I would look at 2012. The 2011 was the first year with DEF and they had a few problems with NoX sensors that seem to have been ironed out in the 2012 and later. They are a beast though. Unfortunately for new buyers they hold their value well so it'll be a couple years before the prices drop much. My 3500 LTZ with 70k miles still has an NADA retail over $47k, it doesn't help that the new ones are starting to jump over $70k.

[Rex1vt]

Originally Posted by Hansel

So basically anyone with a F-250 or equivalent really can't tow a 5th wheel this really STINKS!!!!

I have a 2004 F250 diesel and the brochure for 2004 has a page with towing and payload criteria for hauling fifth wheels .I would suggest you go to a Ford website or dealer to get the straight story for your truck.

[Hansel]

Originally Posted by Rex1vt

I have a 2004 F250 diesel and the brochure for 2004 has a page with towing and payload criteria for hauling fifth wheels .I would suggest you go to a Ford website or dealer to get the straight story for your truck.

I looked up the book on the F-250 in the 7.3L supplement book and found this:

F-250 with 3.73 gear
GCWR 20,000lbs
Max trailer 10,000lbs.

Then this statement, that confuses me

1 Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting the GVW from the GCWR.

So know I'm even more confused

[Hansel]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

I remember when your 2000 got totaled.
Even if you look at the GMs look 2011 or newer. 2011 is the year they changed the frame and springs, it added a lot to the payload/GVWR. I've owned two 2011 Dmax's now (2500 and 3500), personally I would look at 2012. The 2011 was the first year with DEF and they had a few problems with NoX sensors that seem to have been ironed out in the 2012 and later. They are a beast though. Unfortunately for new buyers they hold their value well so it'll be a couple years before the prices drop much. My 3500 LTZ with 70k miles still has an NADA retail over $47k, it doesn't help that the new ones are starting to jump over $70k.

What I'm looking at is a 2012 3500HD dually 4X4 with 141,000 miles for 32K

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Hansel

I looked up the book on the F-250 in the 7.3L supplement book and found this:

F-250 with 3.73 gear
GCWR 20,000lbs
Max trailer 10,000lbs.

Then this statement, that confuses me

1 Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting the GVW from the GCWR.

So know I'm even more confused

That is a typical "Max" trailer weight calculation. Take the GCWR, subtract your GVWR and it tells you how much is left as a maximum for trailer weight. That does not factor in payload, GAWR, options, etc. It just simply says if all conditions are right, your trailer "could" weigh this much. The manufacturers cannot account for everything from cargo, to pin weight, just to many factors. They just say you could tow this much, but it's up to you to make sure all of the other parameters are within tolerance.

[Rex1vt]

Originally Posted by Rex1vt

I have a 2004 F250 diesel and the brochure for 2004 has a page with towing and payload criteria for hauling fifth wheels .I would suggest you go to a Ford website or dealer to get the straight story for your truck.

The 2004(3.73) brochure shows max trailer weight for F350 @12,700 (crew,4x4,srw).The F250 footnote reduces the max trailer weight to 10,400.I was told by the Ford service manager that the difference was because of 350 vs 250 breaks, but trailer breaks bring the max back up,also bringing the GCWR to the 20,000 shown on the chart.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Rex1vt

The 2004(3.73) brochure shows max trailer weight for F350 @12,700 (crew,4x4,srw).The F250 footnote reduces the max trailer weight to 10,400.I was told by the Ford service manager that the difference was because of 350 vs 250 breaks, but trailer breaks bring the max back up,also bringing the GCWR to the 20,000 shown on the chart.

I find that statement very interesting since most states require trailer brakes on anything over 3k lbs (some less). Makes me wonder why Ford would "lower" the towing capacity down to 10,400, but say if you have trailer brakes you can tow more. Every state would require trailer brakes on anything that heavy. Sounds like an "opinion" of service manager to me.

[sourdough]

For OP

Below is a link that gives numbers for your 2001 F250. You have to really read the categories at the top, the type of truck etc. You will have to look at about 3 different tables to come up with payload (cargo in Ford's terms), towing, 5th wheel etc. Your issue will be payload. There is a table for 5th wheel towing and the trailer weights are higher than the 10000 you found. GCVW at 20000 does not change. Some of the F250 diesels have a payload as low as 1200lbs or so.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...1/campercd.pdf

[Hansel]

Originally Posted by sourdough

For OP

Below is a link that gives numbers for your 2001 F250. You have to really read the categories at the top, the type of truck etc. You will have to look at about 3 different tables to come up with payload (cargo in Ford's terms), towing, 5th wheel etc. Your issue will be payload. There is a table for 5th wheel towing and the trailer weights are higher than the 10000 you found. GCVW at 20000 does not change. Some of the F250 diesels have a payload as low as 1200lbs or so.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...1/campercd.pdf

Thanks for the link

If I read it correctly my truck a 156" wheel base 4X4 diesel can only carry 1159lbs. so if I think back it can't even take the pin weight of a 1/2 ton towable 5th wheel. THIS STINKS!!!!!!!

[sourdough]

Unfortunately that's what it says. I found a keystone x lite at about 26' with a pin weight of about 1125 if I recall but by the time you load the trailer and install a hitch even that would exceed your payload. Maybe an upgraded TT? If not, maybe an upgraded truck to go with your upgraded trailer (5ver)? I know it's not a neat option.

[Hansel]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Unfortunately that's what it says. I found a keystone x lite at about 26' with a pin weight of about 1125 if I recall but by the time you load the trailer and install a hitch even that would exceed your payload. Maybe an upgraded TT? If not, maybe an upgraded truck to go with your upgraded trailer (5ver)? I know it's not a neat option.

What really chafes my butt is that I have a Super Duty diesel, that can't tow a 5th wheel, it should be called a Super WIMPY!!!!!


Sorry for venting I'm just getting more and more pee'd off about my trucks capabilities.

Anyone heard of this line of 5th wheel's??

http://www.livinlite.com/camplite32rls-overview.php

[Javi]

There was a day not that far distant past that a 3/4 ton pickup was just that a 3/4 ton (1500 lbs) truck.. meaning that the base stripped down model had a payload of 1500 pounds and as you added accessories you deducted from that load limit.. Then one fine day... 1/2 ton pickups had payloads of 2500 pounds..

The world is an amazing place... now where is my class 8 tractor, I need to pick up the grandkids..

[sourdough]

You'r right Javi. As the truck manufacturers have gotten into the towing wars in the recent past we forget that the truck designations literally came from what they were meant to haul back when and a 3/4 ton truck was just that - 1500lbs. Now they can go up to about 4000lbs and are still called 3/4 ton. LOTS of change.

[Hansel]

Well here are some sad number's for me getting a 5th wheel with my current truck (F-250)

Steer Axle =4560lbs.
Drive Axle= 3180lbs.
Gross Weight=7740lbs.

So if ya take me out I'm 285lbs (but I'm done from 305lbs)

That makes the truck with a almost full tank of fuel 7,740lbs

So when I add back in me (285lb) and let's just say (300lbs.) for wifey and 5th wheel hitch, my truck is going too weigh in at 8,040lbs so that leaves 760lbs payload or pin weight roughly.

Looks like we will be shopping for a new travel trailer

[gtsum2]

Any decent sized trailer will be pushing your payload capacity. Might need to be looking at a new truck! Am what is the gvwr of ur truck? Less than 9k u r saying? How old is it?

[Hansel]

Originally Posted by gtsum2

Any decent sized trailer will be pushing your payload capacity. Might need to be looking at a new truck! Am what is the gvwr of ur truck? Less than 9k u r saying? How old is it?

It's a 2001 F-250 CCSRW 4X4 with a 7.3L powerstroke, total towing combined weight is 20,000lbs

[Festus2]

Hansel -
Have you checked into or considered an older 5th wheel? It seems that many of the older models were smaller and lighter than today's 5ths which appear to be larger and heavier. I'm talking about units that are 6-8 years old - Keystone as well as other manufacturers. There are probably some used 5th wheels that are on the market that have been well maintained and "look new" but even after looking you may find that you are still limited by your TV's payload - or lack of it.

[Hansel]

Originally Posted by Festus2

Hansel -
Have you checked into or considered an older 5th wheel? It seems that many of the older models were smaller and lighter than today's 5ths which appear to be larger and heavier. I'm talking about units that are 6-8 years old - Keystone as well as other manufacturers. There are probably some used 5th wheels that are on the market that have been well maintained and "look new" but even after looking you may find that you are still limited by your TV's payload - or lack of it.

I'm really not in the market for a used unit, too find out someone gave me there problems, I've been bitten too much by that lately. I know Airbags will not change the 8800lbs GVWR but is that an option??? Atleast it won't look overloaded we are going too a big RV show this weekend in Atlanta so I'm hoping too find a ton of information about what we can get.

[C130]

Originally Posted by Hansel

I'm really not in the market for a used unit, too find out someone gave me there problems, I've been bitten too much by that lately. I know Airbags will not change the 8800lbs GVWR but is that an option??? Atleast it won't look overloaded we are going too a big RV show this weekend in Atlanta so I'm hoping too find a ton of information about what we can get.

I understand not wanting to buy used but there are very nice used units out there to be found and many of the issues new ones typically encounter have been fixed. I looked for several months and bought a 2 year old toy hauler that was just like new. The person that had bought it had already worked out the few issues and I didn't have to deal with them. My first prerequisite was that it had to have been stored inside, no exceptions. It had only been used about 3 times, never had anything hauled in the garage, never cooked in. I saved around $18,000-$20,000. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a new one but my next one still may be a slightly used one if I find the right one and they are out there. I'd like to have the automatic leveling system, that's really the one thing I'd like to have that my 2011 Fuzion doesn't have. I also don't even think Fuzion makes a 35 foot toy hauler any more. I believe the new ones start out around 37 feet so a slightly used one may save some weight.

I still keep it in a fully enclosed storage unit and it looks better than most that are one or two years old. I'm just not convinced new is the way to go in RV's though for me to buy used I have to get a heck of a deal. It also takes time and patience which some don't have. I basically bought mine for what they had just been offered by an RV dealer.

[Hansel]

Originally Posted by C130

I understand not wanting to buy used but there are very nice used units out there to be found and many of the issues new ones typically encounter have been fixed. I looked for several months and bought a 2 year old toy hauler that was just like new. The person that had bought it had already worked out the few issues and I didn't have to deal with them. My first prerequisite was that it had to have been stored inside, no exceptions. It had only been used about 3 times, never had anything hauled in the garage, never cooked in. I saved around $18,000-$20,000. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a new one but my next one still may be a slightly used one if I find the right one and they are out there. I'd like to have the automatic leveling system, that's really the one thing I'd like to have that my 2011 Fuzion doesn't have. I also don't even think Fuzion makes a 35 foot toy hauler any more. I believe the new ones start out around 37 feet so a slightly used one may save some weight.

I still keep it in a fully enclosed storage unit and it looks better than most that are one or two years old. I'm just not convinced new is the way to go in RV's though for me to buy used I have to get a heck of a deal. It also takes time and patience which some don't have. I basically bought mine for what they had just been offered by an RV dealer.

You make some very good points. Maybe I will start looking around for some used camper's