Maiden Voyage Tow Issue

[Jollymon]

I have a 2016 F350 with the 6.7. Should I be concerned about this issue? I have a 3400RL and usually don't exceed 15 pounds of boost. Haven't done any mountains yet, though.

[saber707]

Jullymon, If you want to satisfy your mind, put 2016 Ford Truck Towing Chart in your internet search engine (Google) and you will find the guidelines for all types of towing. Fifth Wheel Towing has it's own section. Good luck.

[AJ&S]

I've F350 SRW with Lariat option and it tows 3791LR fine. I looked at dually, but rougher ride empty, and SRW meeting specs to tow was my choice. I test drove both RAM (very rough ride) and GMC Denali. Lower power was deal breaker. Also considered fuel economy and F350 with 6.7 l was a winner.

It is not only, what you can pull, consider brakes. GMC breaks are a question. Same issue for F250,,, your brakes are most likely marginal for your total weight.

[Mark N.]

Once again, the confusion about cargo capacity rears its head. Because a truck will pull the weight of a given trailer over the road, doesn't mean it can carry the pin weight of that trailer, plus all the added cargo weight of that trailer, plus the cargo weight added to the truck. The pin weight of that empty trailer will exceed the rated cargo capacity of any F-250, without adding a single lb of additional weight to the trailer or truck.

[laverdur]

Even a 1 ton (350/3500) SRW can be overloaded with some of the larger Montys. It's all about the weight. Don't trust the truck dealer or the RV dealer. Do your own homework. Know that the RV weights are dry weights so one has to add for what one wants to take along. While I would hate to drive a dually solo very much, there are times when I wish I had one when towing. As it is, I have to watch weights and make sure the DW doesn't pack the kitchen sink from the house. Oh, and I always go to the scale when packed for a trip.

[AJ&S]

Agreed Mark,,, you are 100% correct. One must consider hitch weight.
We newer tow with full tanks. Only empty ones except fresh water, when we know that there will be no water on our next stop.

With our 3791 RL we can do some balancing with our rear storage compartments.

Most RVs except Toyhaulers don't have that option.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by beeje

-First off, I do not consider myself as the weight police at all.
-And you are correct, I did change the topic (but felt compelled to for good reason)
-Many of us INCLUDING MYSELF will occasionally tow a few hundred lbs over.
-There is a vast difference in a few hundred lbs VS 3000lbs over weight.
-Those of you that knowingly tow WAY overweight and choose to bury you head in the sand and pretend that you are not, put everyone on the road with you in potential danger.
-The facts are the facts and if you choose to ignore them I guess there is nothing I or anyone can do about that.

Now back on subject;

I have had 4 Duramax trucks.
None of which have had any turbo hose blow off issues.
I only know of one that has had this issue and it was an 2008 ? ford 6.0

My Trucks
New -2002 2500 cc SRW 4x2 Traded at 195k (Had utility body to haul tools around)
Used (20k) -2005 3500 cc dually 4x4 Traded at 100k (Had larger utility body)
Used (25k) -2011 3500 cc SRW Traded at 40k ( No more need for utility body, needed tow fifth wheel, Not enough truck)
Used (24k) -2014 3500 cc Dually (current truck)

IMHO we are all here to help and learn from each other and sometimes an off topic response is necessary.

Totally agree with you! This forum should NOT be so restrictive as to keep anyone from bringing up a valid safety point when observed regardless of what the actual topic of the specific thread is!! Being so OCD as to restrict the discussion to such an extreme extent would NOT be in the best interest of anyone.

To that end, my two cents worth is "A Volkswagen can get the wheels rolling on a 5th wheel BUT good luck when it is time to take a curve or stop it"!! You don't need a Kenworth to tow a Monty but at least get the next size larger than the minimum! You wouldn't jump out of an airplane with a parachute that was just barely enough for your weight now would you??

[vipermanden]

OK, I will chime in. I have towed our 2017 Monty 3820FK over 30,000 miles in the last 2 years with my 2016 RAM 3500 long bed dually 4x4 with Cummins HO turbo and Aisin tranny and 4:10 gears and auto leveling airbags, and no hose pop offs for us. I am concerned with my weight carrying capacity, and have a question. The max cargo on my yellow sticker says 5,247 pounds. Does this take into account the 266 pounds of a full diesel tank, or is this empty weight, and a full tank knocks off the 5,247 to a usable 4,981 pounds? If so, if you add me and my wife, and our two Golden retrievers, and my 55 gallon diesel tank, and the B&W hitch and accessories, we have about 1,237 pounds loaded into the truck before we drop the pin weight into the back of the truck. The auto leveling air bags give you a false sense of security, but what I really should pay attention to is the GAWR for the dual rear axle? My pin weight was around 3,200 pounds with the Monty, that we just sold two days ago, and the new pin weight of our next 5ver is going to be around 4,000 pounds??? So even in my dually, I will be right at the total cargo carrying capacity?

[mlh]

Originally Posted by Jollymon

I have a 2016 F350 with the 6.7. Should I be concerned about this issue? I have a 3400RL and usually don't exceed 15 pounds of boost. Haven't done any mountains yet, though.

All turbo engines are susceptible. Yours is no different than any other engine. Get a set of aftermarket hoses and have them installed double clamp where possible then carry your OEM hoses and clamps with you. Pulling a heavy camper only makes the problem worse because your engine is under more boost for a longer period of time and it’s hotter under the hood.
Lynwood

[Bob and Jeannette]

I love the ride of a 3500 SRW as opposed to the bumpy ride of an empty Dually but my wife keeps wanting larger 5W's so I buy the truck to do the job of towing safely. I always remember the phrase "will tow up to..." when thinking about trucks.

Glad it was just your hose!

[vipermanden]

Bob, I agree. I go with 75 psi in the front towing or not, and 65 in the rears when towing and 58 when not. I wish there was a way to air up and air down the 4 rear wheels quickly, so you could do it at every RV park you visit. Since we only stay 2-5 days at every park, I don't air down, and it is rather bumpy back there without the Monty hanging on the back.

[beeje]

Vipermanden, You very well could be over weight (some) with that set up (rear axle/payload capacity) with what you describe. Unfortunately, the only way to be sure is to get the new rig weighed (loaded ) how you are going to tow it. This is near impossible to do since you have to buy it first. Hate to say it, but some of the newer/larger/heavier rigs are beyond a 3500 duallys towing specs. Think a DRV at 20,000 lbs GVRW. Now you are into a 450/4500 + tow vehicle.

[vipermanden]

Only problem with 4500 and 5500's, is they give you much more payload capacity, but they give you a de-tuned Cummins engine with much larger rear end gears like 4:88 So your mileage and high revving on the highways sucks! Yep the DRV we ordered is 21,000 GVWR They won't tell you the pin weight. You have to weigh after you put the generator in and things you store in the front etc. I'm guessing around 4,000 lbs.

[Ed C]

Gentlemen, I have been humbled. Everyone who chimed in on the weight issue is absolutely correct - too much trailer for the truck. I mentioned I double checked, but I should have triple checked. I used the Ford technical specifications which showed a payload capacity of 3,250, in which case I was fine, with 10 lbs to spare. Unfortunately, I should have checked the yellow sticker, which indicates 1950 cargo capacity, including passengers. Ugh! Even though I have air bags, and upgraded to a 50 gallon fuel tank, I might be in the market for a new truck very soon.
Thank you Beeje, Don, Texan, and others who set me straight on the weight! In the meantime, I have removed the F250 from my signature, so that others won't see it (yes, rather embarrassing!) I will add my new truck to the signature once I get it!