Question f250 pulling 11,000lb 5th wheel

[DennyF]

Hey guys, I have an '04 f250 that I want to use to pull a 11,000 lb tplple axle 5th wheel. I moved it once and the truck did fine but I noticed the rear tires sagged. They are 6 ply load range E light truck goodyears. Should I upgrade to a heavier duty tire? Am I overloading this truck? Any useful comments would be appreciated.

 

[DaveBen]

There is a sticker on the drivers door frame that will give you the rating of the truck. Then you can figure if you are overloading it. Run 60 to 65 psi in the tires. I run 60 psi in mine all the time.

Dave

 

[BIG JOE]

Hey guys, I have an '04 f250 that I want to use to pull a 11,000 lb tplple axle 5th wheel. I moved it once and the truck did fine but I noticed the rear tires sagged. They are 6 ply load range E light truck goodyears. Should I upgrade to a heavier duty tire? Am I overloading this truck? Any useful comments would be appreciated.

First off.. Welcome to SDD

Second, and in answer to you question ? : Your F-250 rated to [tow] 10,000 pounds, MAX. Tow an 11,000 pound 5r.... add the "Toys" ? and yer going to be Way over the Max towing weight. (GVWR)

And FER SURE those 6 ply tires are NOT enough tire.... to tow that 5r. 10 ply minimum, 12 ply preferred.

In short: you have enough Engine.. But Not enough suspension or tires.

 

[WD40]

Hello Danny and welcome to SSD. If you have Load range E tires they are 10 ply and you need to run 80 psi in them pulling a load. I am going to go along with what Big Joe said because he and I both pull big fifth wheels with our trucks.
Your truck will pull it and do a very good job of it, but will it stop it going down a large hill in MO, or AR when some dumb @ss pulls out in front of you? You need duels and a 4'10 gears to pull this trailer.
Doug

 

[Scooter]

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2004/2004RVTrailer_Packages_Equipments.pdf

Here is the Ford guide. Evidently, our trucks are rated for a lot more than most people thought. Also, a trailer should be able to stop itself without the truck, if it is set up properly.

 

[DennyF]

again f250 towing 11000 trailer.

Ok thanks guys, next round of questions... What will it take to make this truck a dually? It is a short bed but if the wheel wells can be added and will fit on the short bed then thats the route I would prefer to go. Also what about air bags? Will these be worth it?
Thanks again guys...

 

[ponyexpress94]

DennyF, I have a few questions for you:

1. Is the 11,000lbs weight of your trailer the max gross weight of the trailer (ready to go out and play with all your gear loaded) or is this the empty weight of the trailer? There is a sticker on your trailer (usually on the tonque of the trailer or the front left corner of the body of the trailer) that states the Max GVW.

2. What is the cab and bed configuration of your truck?

3. What is the loaded weight of your truck with all of your gear in it ready to go camping (don't forget passengers)?

If the tires on the truck say they are a Load Range E they are sufficient for your truck. On the drivers door jamb of the truck is a sticker that has the VIN #, GVW, Max GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Ratings) and tire pressure for the front and rear axles. Look up the tire pressures on this sticker and I'll bet they say 55 psi for the front tires and 80 psi for the rear tires. This is what your tire pressures should be set at to comply with Ford's ratings for the truck.

First....Since your truck is a 2004 F-250, it has a Max Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 8,800 lbs. Weigh your truck on a scale, preferably with it loaded (don't forget your fifth wheel hitch!!!) as you would for your trips. Quarries, feedstores, metal recycling yards, and truck stops all have a scale you can use for free or a small fee. Take the scale weight of your truck and subtract that number from your truck's GVW. This will tell you how much payload you have left in your truck for the hitch weight of the trailer.

Now you need to get your trailer weighed preferably empty and loaded so you know how much gear you have on your trailer for wiggle room and so you can calculate your hitch weight of the trailer. You should have 20-25% of your trailers total loaded weight on the hitch. This hitch weight will cut into the amount of payload you can carry in your truck.

Now, moving on....Your truck has a Max Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 20,000 lbs. This means your truck, trailer, cargo and all occupants of the truck should not exceed this weight.

This should help you make a decision about the limits of your truck and whether you need more truck. My personal opinion is that if you need more truck for that trailer you will be better served finding a nice dually instead of converting your existing truck unless you really like you truck and want to go through the hassle of the conversion.

Here is a link from Ford that helps you figure things out, just scroll down to the 5th wheel table on the bottom.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2004/2004RVTrailer_F250_350.pdf

 

[BIG JOE]

In my opinion:

A Very informative and concise Post there Patrick

Covered all the issues concerning Towing with SAFETY in mind

Joe

 

[DennyF]

Wow thanks Pony and Big Joe. Theres a lot to consider here. I have had the truck for 2 years and just acquired the trailer on a trade. I took it by flying j scales on the drive home and thats how I found out the weight.
I have previously weighed the truck and know it weighs 8600 lbs. It is f250 super cab 6.0l powerstroke, with automatic.
When I looked at the scale ticket I saw that the gvw was 19200 lbs. It showed 5400 lbs on the rear axle
I should say that of course the trailer was empty. We're in the process of outfitting it and will look at the weights again when we are done.
The biggest reason I wanted to keep this particular truck is because it is paid for...
Thanks again
Denny

 

[BIG JOE]

I hear ya on the Being Paid For part.

There are things that can be done to increase the towing/weight capabilities on your 250.. things like Spring sets, Air bags.. even putting a DRW kit on. Many of the SDD members have done this soooo.. Maybe they will jump in here and "Hook you up" (Pun ? Yes )

Joe