F250 - Montana Owners Club

Montana_3184 · 03-19-2005, 04:03 AM

I have a 2005 F250 PSD 4x4, Im looking at getting the 3295RK and was wondering how your trucks handle the weight of the 5th. This truck is supposed to tow around 15,000lbs but seens like it is limited by hitch weight. Will this combo be ok? Thanks.

scrowba · 03-19-2005, 11:19 AM

Hey tdager,
I had the same concerns when I went to purchase my tow vehicle. The Ford spec hitch weight was very close to the trailer pin weight. I went with a F350 just for mind.

Montana_3184 · 03-19-2005, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the reply, the only reason I didnt go with the F350 was the ride height. I thought it would be too high for my present 5th wheel. I think the difference between the 250 and 350 on the '05 model was only about 100lbs.

Searchers · 03-19-2005, 12:30 PM

Tdager,

I've got the '05 Ford Payload/Towing specifications in front of me. Maximum payload rating depends on the wheelbase, cab configuration, engine/transmission combination, gear ratio and gross vehicle weight rating of the truck. GVRW should be listed on the data plate which is probably located on the driver's door jamb. Give me the info and I'll look it up for you.

Montana_3184 · 03-19-2005, 12:41 PM

Its a 2005 F250 Lariat, PSD, 4x4, CC ,longbed. I think others have weighed in about 8000lbs with fuel and passengers.

Searchers · 03-19-2005, 07:14 PM

Tdager,

Specifications indicate 10000 lb. GVWR/2600 lb. payload. 5th wheel towing maximum loaded trailer weight 15,400 lbs. You might want to pick up a copy of the specs for verification at your Ford dealer.

Wordsmith · 03-20-2005, 10:41 AM

As you can see from my signature, I have pretty much what you are suggesting, except I have a shortbed supercab. I took it out this weekend and it towed well, but I will confess that it was not overly loaded.

As an aside, doesn't Steve Reigle have the exact same set up you are mentioning? You might want to check some of his posts in the forum about fulltiming in his 3295RK and 2005 F-250. According to what he has said on this forum and in e-mails we exchanged, he has not had any difficulty. I know he said he would be away from the forum for a while as they are moving up the east coast, but you might be able to get an e-mail to him.

Montana_1945 · 03-21-2005, 04:52 AM

Tdager,
I dont think you will have any problems. I have a F-250 2004 psd 4x4 crew cab that I use with my 2004 Big Sky 3295 and it handles it pretty easily. Sqats it about 2" but does not engage the helper springs. I think some people use the air bags but my local dealer said to save my money.

sreigle · 04-09-2005, 05:55 AM

Tdager, we tow with a truck very similar to what you are considering and we're towing a very heavily loaded (13,980 lbs) 3295RK. I am VERY pleased with how this truck handles this load. The ONLY consideration is I'd recommend you order the "camper package" in addition to the tow package. The camper package is intended for applications where you would use one of those slidein campers in the bed. It increases the payload, in other words, by adding the additional leaf in the rear springpack, same as the F350 has. In Savannah this winter we had a neighbor with a truck just about identical to ours and he had the camper package and we do not. I got a slight (no more than an inch) sag in the rear so added airbags to eliminate the sag. Other than that the truck is stock. We've towed this Montana with this truck between 2,500 and 3,000 miles with grades to 8% up and down. It's terrific.

Our previous tow vehicle was a 2003 F350 with the 6.0 and torqshift, same as this truck. It also was an awesome tower. Both are 4x4. The ride height of the F350 was higher. The Montana rode level. In the F250 I raised the hitch in the bed one hole to bring the ride of the Montana up to level. On both trucks I had plenty of clearance over the bed. We put 51k miles on the F350, about 20k of that towing this Montana. So I can tell you either the F350 or F250 will work just fine for you. Both ours are single rear wheel.

Native Tex · 04-10-2005, 06:02 AM

Tdager - Steve is corrent in his suggestion of getting the Camper Package. I have had it all my Fords and it really helps with the handling and driveability. I don't think you will have any problem pulling you new rig with the F-250. I just got a new one myself and stayed with the F250. We have made four long pulls already and the new truck does a wonderful job.

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