Can a 2500 Duramax tow 2016 355TS

[JRTJH]

All the charts, from every manufacturer are "Single situation" calculated. They are intended to make their brand "best" and "one-up" the competition.

Examples. Payload is xxxx calculated with nothing in the truck, no passengers, no hitch, no optional equipment. Some even remove the spare tire, jack and lug wrench (since it's optional). Who tows that way.

GCWR is calculated with the "lightest weight, stripped" truck model. There is no cargo, no passengers and no optional equipment.

Max Trailer Weight is calculated the same way. Sure, with a truck weighing 7000 pounds, a 10K GVW, and a GCWR of 19000 pounds, the truck can tow a trailer weighing 12000 pounds with a pin weight of 2800 pounds, and have room to spare. BUT: add 3 passengers, a sliding (not the lightest hitch available) some cargo and a generator to the truck, get the weight up to 9000 pounds, and suddenly you can't add that trailer to the mix. Gone is the 2800 pound pin weight, and to stay below GCWR, since the truck now weighs 9000 pounds, the maximum trailer can only weigh 10000, and stay below the 19000 GCWR.....

Every chart I've looked at gives the "best case scenario" for every calculated value. You won't find a chart that lists the "real world" maximum trailer weight because the manufacturer NEVER takes into consideration anything that we would "regularly" add to the mix. Things like a tool kit, passengers, cooler, camping gear, extra fuel tank/tool box, heavier hitch, etc.... Not to mention, heaven forbid, we order the truck with a "luxury package", diesel engine, upgraded seats, leather, sliding rear window, running boards, mud flaps, wheel well liners, or "bigger wheels/tires" or even four wheel drive.... All of those things are NOT included in the "beat the competition's numbers" game that all the manufacturers play......

If anywhere, the term "BUYER BEWARE" applies to the yellow sticker. Many people talk about "sticker shock" when looking at the price of a new truck. If you really want a "disappointing surprise" look at the "real capabilities" of any new truck. None of the "samples on the dealer's lot" will come close to those charts, unless you want a "plain Jane, work truck in 2WD, single cab configuration"...........

[gtsum2]

I have to say when I ordered my ram 3500 srw, I went off their charts (with trim package and config I wanted) and my finished truck was only about 200lbs light on the payload (4074 vs 4300 I think).

On another note I have now found myself looking at the yellow sticker on any new truck or suv friends and neighbors have been buying...for a laugh that my wife's new Durango citadel (loaded with every option) had over 1200lbs payload vs my 2013 ram 1500 that had 1061!!!! (The REAL sticker shock as noted above!!)


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[Outback 325BH]

I have a new F250. Knowing that F250s and F350s (SRW) are virtually identical, and knowing the 10,000 GVWR of the F250s are a "paper" limit, I pay more attention to my rear GAWR and actual rear axle weight.

I would weight your rig on a CAT scale and see how your axle weights come out. Sounds like that trailer is real big and heavy.


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[BlueThunder34]

I'm not sure the F-250 and F-350's would be considered indentical, when I compared the two I found my payload was almost 1,000lbs more with the 1 ton vs the 3/4 ton similarly equipped. GVWR of 11,500

[chris199]

That toy hauler requires a dually 1 ton. No question.

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[Outback 325BH]

Originally Posted by BlueThunder34

I'm not sure the F-250 and F-350's would be considered indentical, when I compared the two I found my payload was almost 1,000lbs more with the 1 ton vs the 3/4 ton similarly equipped. GVWR of 11,500

Depending on the years, they are virtually identical. This is especially true for the new ones. Yes, the "ratings" (door stickers) say differently, but if you look underneath the bed and compare actual parts, they are the same except for blocks under the springs.

My point is: when folks are trying to decide if their truck can handle a given trailer, there are other factors to consider other than the door stickers. One must know your truck though.

Different brands, models and years can play a role.

I'm not saying one is better than any other. Just trying to provide more info.

[1jeep]

Been there done that, last year we bought a carbon 327, had a f250 with air bags, it towed it just fine, but I knew I was over my GVWR. Also let me add that the F250 and F350 srw are the same minus the overload spring.

I am now in a f350 DRW and it does a great job of towing, so much better that even my wife noticed how much better it even rode.
My point if you haven't bought the truck buy a DRW for that trailer and don't worry about your weight anymore.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by Outback 325BH

Depending on the years, they are virtually identical. This is especially true for the new ones. Yes, the "ratings" (door stickers) say differently, but if you look underneath the bed and compare actual parts, they are the same except for blocks under the springs.

My point is: when folks are trying to decide if their truck can handle a given trailer, there are other factors to consider other than the door stickers. One must know your truck though.

Different brands, models and years can play a role.

I'm not saying one is better than any other. Just trying to provide more info.

Not that it is likely to happen, but what is your plan when you have wreck and a starving lawyer figures out you were overweight?
I didn't work for 40 years to give my life savings away.

[Model A Driver]

Something else to consider. Overloading a tow vehicle places you in jeopardy of legal action if an accident occurs due to it. The U-connect in Ram will alert you that you are exceeding vehicle capacity. The dealer will see the message before the unit sends you one. Insurance companies and law enforcement can/will subpoena these information. I am sure Ford and GM will do the same.

[BlueThunder34]

Like it or not we are legally limited to that "yellow sticker" on the door jamb. You can certainly do as you please and yes these trucks are capable of far more than their ratings but nothing you add to the truck (airbags, stronger tires, springs,etc) will change the sticker rating and what you can "legally" carry. I can tell you from personal experience in my many years in the fire service that when there is a major accident involving injuries and or high property value loss there is always an investigation done and I am willing to bet fingers are quick to be pointed at the operator by the insurance and manufacturers if there is any hint the blame can be passed. In the case of the OP original question, it definitely warrants a DRW TV.

[PerryB]

If you research the technical specs you'll find the 350 srw has a bigger axle shaft, bigger wheel bearing and a higher spline count than the 250 axle, hence the 7000 lb rating vs 6000.

[1jeep]

its a known fact that that is a misprint on fords pdf, the f250/350srw are the same axles. call a dealer and get the part numbers, they are the same.

Why it hasn't been changed by now baffles me.

[JRTJH]

Every 4 or 5 months we get into the discussion about 3/4 and 1 ton trucks being identical, can/can't tow the same, should/shouldn't be used to tow the same, will/won't get their owners into situations the same, legal/illegal operation, insurance will/won't pay, and the list goes on and on.

According to the Parts List located at http://www.tascaparts.com/ the part numbers for the rear axle shafts for the 2015 F250 are (right) BC3Z-4234-D and (left) BC3Z-4234-C. The axle housing is BC3Z-4010-D

Same parts on the 2015 F350 are (right) BC3Z-4234-D (left) BC3Z-4234-C and the axle housing is BC3Z-4010-D

The parts are identical in the single rear wheel rear axle in both the F250 and the F350.

Physically, there's very little difference between the trucks and the F250 can be ordered with optional spring packages that will make it even "stronger" than the "standard order" F350. Those spring packages are parts of the Snow Plow Package and the Camper Package. Essentially the only significant difference is the GVW and PAYLOAD stickers on the door.

I don't believe anyone here is claiming the "PHYSICAL" capacity or "PHYSICAL" limitations of the two trucks. It's the "LEGAL" capacity that is different.

As an example, if you're licensed to drive a rig "up to 25,000 pounds" on your current drivers license, You should be "PHYSICALLY CAPABLE" of operating an "IDENTICAL" truck and fifth wheel weighing 26,000 pounds. The "rub" comes only if you have an accident and the first request from the police officer on the scene is, "May I have your driver's license, insurance and registration, please?" At that point, the "PHYSICAL CAPABILITY" is no longer a consideration, but what the "PAPERWORK" says that's important.

If you're involved in an accident (that's why we all pay for insurance that we hope we'll never use) and some "shyster lawyer" can prove that your truck was overloaded, the "facts" of the "physical capability and similarity" won't really matter as the "illegal weight and overload" will become the "star witness" at your trial.

If you're willing to risk all you've worked for, then by all means, attempt to tow with a Yugo if you choose, but be ready for the likelihood of a significant court battle should anything happen. As others have stated, "I worked too long and too hard for my retirement to risk it all by using a truck that's "PHYSICALLY" the same, but I let the "PAPERWORK" bite me in the butt if anything happens. To me, the benefit doesn't outweigh the risk. Others may "opine differently"..................

[Model A Driver]

"If you're willing to risk all you've worked for, then by all means, attempt to tow with a Yugo "
JRTJH: I know you were making an exaggeration but it reminded me of a RV show we attended. We were in a 31ft TT with another prospective buyer. She asked the salesman if her Hyundai Sante Fe would pull it to which he replied.. YES. She saw my reaction and questioned me, I set her straight quick while getting hate looks at the same time. I still cannot believe his dishonesty.

[SmittysRV]

Originally Posted by Model A Driver

"If you're willing to risk all you've worked for, then by all means, attempt to tow with a Yugo "
JRTJH: I know you were making an exaggeration but it reminded me of a RV show we attended. We were in a 31ft TT with another prospective buyer. She asked the salesman if her Hyundai Sante Fe would pull it to which he replied.. YES. She saw my reaction and questioned me, I set her straight quick while getting hate looks at the same time. I still cannot believe his dishonesty.

Ya that's bad! Back when we picked up our Raptor 4014 I had a 2002 F350 LB SRW and the dealership would let me tow it off the lot Long story short I now have 2006 F550 and can tow the 5er anywhere with confidence!!

[Kojak]

Originally Posted by SmittysRV

Ya that's bad! Back when we picked up our Raptor 4014 I had a 2002 F350 LB SRW and the dealership would let me tow it off the lot Long story short I now have 2006 F550 and can tow the 5er anywhere with confidence!!

I know I'm not the only one that wants to see a picture of the truck!