Need some honest info

[CJFOUTDOORS]

Have an opportunity to purchase a 3650RK at a greatly reduced price. I presently have a 2003 F250 Crew Cab King Ranch PSD with air bags.
I am unsure if I will be exceeding the towing capacities of the truck. Anyone out there with the same set up or something similar and will this rig be ok to tow?
Appreciate any responses and input.

[Fordzilla]

You will be exceeding the GVWR of the truck with the trailer hooked up to it. the '03 F250's are rated @ 8800 lbs max and I would bet it weighs nearly 7k+ if it's a 4x4. Meaning you only have 1800 lbs yet for tongue weight, hitch, tools, etc... Don't take it wrong. It will pull it fine and with air bags it will hold up the weight. But you will exceed the recommended limits. Many here have towed with the same truck including myself with thousands of trouble free miles. Just be a little more cautious when traveling.

Ron & Melinda Rosewall
Marcus, Iowa
'06 F350 DRW King Ranch 4x4, diesel pulling machine.
'04 3685FL, Fireplace, Cent Vac, Fantastic Fan, Safety Glass, 2nd A/C, Slide out awnings.

http://www.picturetrail.com/fordzilla

[Bill and Ann]

Not a Ford owner but a lot of MOC members are. I know the truck (F250) will do the job but you should post the engine size as I am sure you will be asked.

If you can't play a sport....Be one.

Bill and Ann
Napanee, Ontario, Canada
2004 3670RL Big Sky
2003 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 Short Bed
20K.Reece Hitch
Duramax/Allison
Prodigy Controller

[sreigle]

Bill, the "PSD" part is Power Stroke Diesel so in 2003 it's either the 7.3 or the 6.0.

I'm not sure about the 2003 but the 2005 F250 uses the same axle, brakes, etc. as the F350. The only difference is the F350 comes with an overload leaf on the springs and a rear stabilizer bar. And maybe a higher spacer to make it sit higher. If yours has the Camper Package meant for the slidein camper then it has the same overload and stabilizer bar as the F350. I added air bags to accommodate for mine not having the overload spring so feel despite the numbers, realistically my F250 can handle the same payload as the F350 in same configuration. Some here will argue but I have yet to find anything to convince me otherwise. I'm towing about the same weight, maybe a bit more than you will be and the F250 does an outstanding job. It now has just under 65k miles.

If you want to check yours, the overload leaf sits on top of the spring pack and looks like it is upside down, curving upwards on the ends, like a smile. The 3650 has one of the lighter pinweights, which is to your advantage. Keep in mind you will technically be over the rated GVWR/payload so the airbags may be necessary to keep things level.

On edit -- disregard my suggestion about airbags. I see yours already has them. Enjoy the 3650RK. It's a beautiful model.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'07 3400RL
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

[Cat320]

It'll pull any Montana, towing is not the problem, but as mentioned earlier, will be over GVWR when you add the pin weight. The 2006 3650 lists an empty pw of 2030, loaded it will be considerably more. All the helper springs, air bags and other gizmos cannot change the GVWR. To find the true cargo capacity for your truck, check the sticker on the left rear door or pillar of the drivers side of your truck. The sticker, entitled "Tire and Loading Information," will have a section that says, "The combined weight of cargo and occupants should never exceed ____ pounds." That's all you can carry and stay within GVWR.

Bert and Betty
Fort Smith, AR
2007 Silverado Classic 3500, DRW, D/A, CC
2007 Montana 3400RL