Posted 2008-01-16 7:27 AM (#74512) Subject: Can my truck pull a larger trailer?
Member
Posts: 6
Location: Cypress, TX
I currently use my Dad's F250 Powerstroke 3/4 ton truck for trailer hauling. My current trailer is an Exiss Sport, 3 horse, 7ft wide, 8ft SW. I'm really wanting a slightly larger trailer - 8 ft wide and maybe 10 ft SW? Would this truck still be able to pull safely? I'm not sure I'd be able to convince him to get a larger truck and I have to keep my Tacoma for my weekly work commute.
Posted 2008-01-16 7:39 AM (#74513 - in reply to #74512) Subject: RE: Can my truck pull a larger trailer?
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
What model of F250? Different models have different capacities. You need to know the weight ratings of your truck and axles (GVWR, GCVWR, GAWR), then add up the actual weights you'll be hauling and see if you are within them.
I just went through this with my '04 PSD buying a 3H GN steel trailer. I'm guessing pin weight will probably be the bottleneck since that will often max out the GVWR before you get close to the GCVWR.
Posted 2008-01-16 9:09 AM (#74521 - in reply to #74513) Subject: RE: Can my truck pull a larger trailer?
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
Welcome to the forum .. Toofoo has given some good advice. ( I added the bit about the rear axle)
Originally written by Towfoo on 2008-01-16 6:39 AM
... I'm guessing pin weight will probably be the bottleneck since that will often max out the GVWR (of the rear axle) before you get close to the GCVWR...
Posted 2008-01-16 9:41 AM (#74529 - in reply to #74512) Subject: RE: Can my truck pull a larger trailer?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If your father has his owner's manual in the glove compartment, it will include a complete listing of the recommended weight that Ford provides. What you are interested in is the gross combined weight of the truck and the trailer. The manual will give you the weight of the truck, you will have to determine the weight of the trailer.
The trailer manufacturer publishes the empty weights of their equipment. Also on a data tag affixed to the trailer are numbers that indicate empty and maximum weights. The minimum trailer weight added to the weight of your truck, plus your load, will have to be within the maximum combined weight limit that Ford recommends.
This is confusing because the load that you will carry, IE; horses, occupants, fuel, tack etc often varies. The added empty weights of the trailer and truck, subtracted from the max combined weights that Ford recommends, is the load that you are allowed.
It may be that on a lighter truck, when you add its weight to the weight of a trailer, there will not be enough difference in a load value to carry what you need. Then you have exceeded the gross weight capabilities of the truck and will need a larger truck or you will have to carry/pull smaller loads.
Posted 2008-01-16 12:32 PM (#74554 - in reply to #74521) Subject: RE: Can my truck pull a larger trailer?
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
Originally written by hosspuller on 2008-01-16 9:09 AM
( I added the bit about the rear axle)
I guess that's probably the case on most trucks, I don't know. On mine what happens is the rear axle's weight rating is 6084 and the actual unloaded GAW is 2860, which leaves 3224 of capacity on the rear axle. On the other hand, my unloaded vehicle weight is about 7240 (it's a diesel crew cab), so with a GVWR of 8800 of capacity I can only add about 1560 lbs weight, which is less than half the axle's carrying capacity. I had to go with a short GN to keep the pin weight down.
Posted 2008-01-18 3:47 PM (#74737 - in reply to #74512) Subject: RE: Can my truck pull a larger trailer?
Member
Posts: 6
Location: Cypress, TX
Ok, so according to Ford Fleet, the GSWR for my dad's truck is 8,501 - 9,000 lbs. This is the total amount it can pull, right? The GVWR on my current trailer is 10,040 lbs, which means for the last 3 years I've been pulling a trailer with less truck power than I should, which doesn't feel right. This truck hasn't had any issues with pulling or stopping this trailer. Granted, we don't drive in the mountains, but the roads aren't always flat. I'm confused. 16
Posted 2008-01-18 6:07 PM (#74743 - in reply to #74737) Subject: RE: Can my truck pull a larger trailer?
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by NickyPick on 2008-01-18 4:47 PM
Ok, so according to Ford Fleet, the GSWR for my dad's truck is 8,501 - 9,000 lbs. This is the total amount it can pull, right? The GVWR on my current trailer is 10,040 lbs, which means for the last 3 years I've been pulling a trailer with less truck power than I should, which doesn't feel right. This truck hasn't had any issues with pulling or stopping this trailer. Granted, we don't drive in the mountains, but the roads aren't always flat. I'm confused. 16
I suspect your 8501-9000 is the GVWR for the truck, not the trailer rating.
Im not up on all the Ford history, but I dont think there is much difference between those 2 years. It appears the max GN rating by the book is ~13,000 pounds, depending on cab config, 4x4.
Posted 2008-01-18 9:11 PM (#74756 - in reply to #74737) Subject: RE: Can my truck pull a larger trailer?
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
Originally written by NickyPick on 2008-01-18 3:47 PM
Ok, so according to Ford Fleet, the GSWR for my dad's truck is 8,501 - 9,000 lbs. This is the total amount it can pull, right? The GVWR on my current trailer is 10,040 lbs, which means for the last 3 years I've been pulling a trailer with less truck power than I should, which doesn't feel right. This truck hasn't had any issues with pulling or stopping this trailer. Granted, we don't drive in the mountains, but the roads aren't always flat. I'm confused. 16
NickyPick, first off, unless you are filling your trailer to max capacity, you aren't towing 10,040 lbs. You're just guessing at everything unless you actually weigh your truck and trailer, and know what your actual weight ratings are. You can't know your weight ratings unless you know what engine, transmission, and rear end gears your F250 has. Once you know the ratings, it's a simple matter of weighing your truck, then looking up the manufacturer's weight ratings and doing the math.
For example:
Assume you have a 6.8L auto with 4.30 rear end (best case scenario) and your truck's GVWR is 9000 lbs. Also assume your truck weighs 7500 lbs wet (carrying you, passengers, fuel, gear, etc). According to your owners manual, that engine, trans and gear combo has a max trailer weight rating of 10,000 lbs and a GCWR (loaded truck + trailer) of 18,000 lbs. If you fill your current trailer to its max capacity of 10,040, you will be OK on your GCWR because truck+trailer (7500 + 10,040) = 17540, which is under GCWR. Unfortunately, your trailer will be 40 lbs over the mfgr's max rated trailer capacity for your truck). However, if you just move 40 lbs of stuff from your trailer to your truck, you're ok.
BUT...you also must consider the weight that your trailer adds to the truck through the hitch. If you have a 15% tongue or pin weight, that's 1575 if your trailer is full to capacity, which will make your truck weigh 9075 lbs. Now your truck is 75 lbs over its GVWR.
Also assume none of my math is wrong, even if it is. :D
The problem with long GN trailers is that they put a lot of pin weight on the tow vehicle. It is common for the tow vehicle to hit the GVWR well before the max tow capacity is reached. if you really need to tow more than 10,400 lbs with an 8 ft SW, it may be possible that you'll need a newer F250 with higher ratings, or even an F350. But get the facts, weigh the truck and do the math to be sure.
Posted 2008-01-18 9:17 PM (#74759 - in reply to #74512) Subject: RE: Can my truck pull a larger trailer?
Member
Posts: 6
Location: Cypress, TX
Got it. There's a Love's travel stop down the road and I'll be hauling a full load (3 horses) past it next weekend, so I think I'll pull in and see if I can weigh my truck & trailer. That should give me a good starting point.
Posted 2008-01-19 9:12 AM (#74792 - in reply to #74759) Subject: RE: Can my truck pull a larger trailer?
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
Originally written by NickyPick on 2008-01-18 9:17 PM
Got it. There's a Love's travel stop down the road and I'll be hauling a full load (3 horses) past it next weekend, so I think I'll pull in and see if I can weigh my truck & trailer. That should give me a good starting point.
Thanks!!
Perfect. If possible use a scale with 3 platforms, with each axle on a separate platform. That'll let you compute truck GVW, front and rear axle weight, and trailer GVW (after you go back and weigh your truck by itself).
Can my truck pull a larger trailer?
