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Old 05-06-2019, 08:11 AM   #1
CruiserMB
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Please help convince me.....

Hello,
New to the forum, happy to be here for all the education I can absorb !

I am needing help convincing me that I didn't buy enough truck.

Long story short, my wife and I will be retiring in 5 years, and have decided together that we want to full time rv and not buy a house, we rent now. We made this decision over a year ao and have created our plan, 1st buy the truck check !, 2nd buy a chunk of land for home base and have a place to live in our rv (in the works) 3rd buy the rv (still learning all we can, however we have narrowed our mfg and it will be a Montana.

The idea is to get what we want as far as truck, land, and rv and still work for the next 5 years before retiring to pay for it. (That's the plan anyway)

Anyways here is my concern, I keep reading that for safest, and most towability capacity you should get a 1 ton and preferably a dually.
Now I'm wanting to purchase a 38 to 40 ft trailer for comfortability but I know it all depends on not what you can pull, but rather what you can stop !

So I would like to list my truck I bought with sticker weights asking you to please help me determine how big of an rv and max weights that I can tow so I do it right the first time.
Did I buy enough truck for my wants ?
Thank you all so much,

Truck = 2019 Ford F250 6.7 Powerstroke short bed
Tire sticker = Combined weight passengers & Cargo = 2275 lb
Truck sticker = GVWR 10,000 lb
Front GAWR = 5200 lb
Rear GAWR = 6340 lb
 
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Old 05-06-2019, 08:36 AM   #2
Last2Die
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is the truck Crew Cab, regular cab, 4x4, or 2wd....? what's the Dif gearing ?
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Old 05-06-2019, 09:00 AM   #3
CruiserMB
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More truck specs

Hi,
More truck specs

Truck is a 4X4, crew cab
Gears are 3.55 electronic locking axle
Tires are Michelin LT275/65R20E
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Old 05-06-2019, 09:06 AM   #4
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You can probably do a small Cougar or other Fifth Wheel, but a Monty is out of range for that F250. If you want a Monty, you'll need a bigger truck.


Some info here that may help: https://fifthwheelst.com/2018-three-...ck-towing.html

https://rvtowcheck.com/
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Old 05-06-2019, 09:11 AM   #5
Last2Die
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max pin weight at 15% would be 2250 seems really low for a 250 but ill put in the link from Ford. Max towing is 15000lbs

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content...DtyPU_May4.pdf
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Old 05-06-2019, 09:37 AM   #6
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A lot of people tow larger Montanas with F250 trucks, even older ones. And say they have no problems at all. That doesn't necessarily make it right. Or wrong.

An F350 SRW would work for many of the larger Montanas. The pin weight of the Montanas varies quite a bit depending on the particular floor plan.

If my truck were intended primarily for towing, I would probably get a DRW. But if my truck were more for daily driving with occasional towing, and the weights were right, I would opt for an SRW.
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Old 05-06-2019, 09:52 AM   #7
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The article had a link for one ton trucks. Chevy had a GVWR of 11100 instead of the 3/4 ton at 10000. Fords and Rams were comparable, I think.
Most people (including me) think 20% pin weight is closer to right. I have a Mountaineer that Keystone said had a 2000 lb pin weight, but it is around 2400 or 2500 and the total trailer weight is around 13,500 (specs say max is 14K or 14,500).
Just FWIW.
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Old 05-06-2019, 10:49 AM   #8
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Early in 2018, I purchased a Venture SportTrek 327VIK travel trailer (840lb dry tongue weight, 9600lb GVWR) that I was pulling with my 2016 F250 with a 10,000lb GVWR. I ran it across the scales with the trailer loaded, fuel and DEF tanks full, all my travel accessories in the truck bed, and people in the cab of the truck and the F250 weighed in on the CAT scales at 9700lbs, giving me 300lbs of headroom on the F250’s 10,000lb GVWR. So, I decided I wanted to increase my headroom and purchased a 2018 F350 SRW with the 11,500 GVWR, which gave me about 1,800lbs headroom. The rig hauled like there was nothing behind it and I could put all I wanted in the truck when going down the road without any problems.
Well, after a few months in the 327VIK, we opted for more space and upgraded to a 2018 Montana High Country 385BR 5th wheel with a rated pin weight of 2660lbs. When I hook the 385BR to my F350, the F350’s actual GVW is 11,420lbs with me in the driver’s seat, nothing in the bed, a full tank of fuel and DEF, and the trailer loaded with our normal gear. I now have only 80lbs of headroom to the GVWR and must keep the truck empty to prevent going over the F350 SRW 11,500lb GVWR. The current configuration pulls great, is very stable on the road even on windy days and stops with normal brake pedal force. But I am now looking at the 14,000lb GVWR F350 in 3.55 DRW to pick up the additional headroom so I can load up the truck if necessary.
Knowing the actual weights of your vehicles and doing the math is my recommended course of action. Start with the GVWR of your tow vehicle off of the sticker on the door pillar, weigh it on the scales with the normal gear you would carry on the road, full tanks, 5th wheel hitch in bed or weight distributing hitch attached, people in the seats, without any trailers attached and then subtract that actual weight from the GVWR of your truck and you will know how much tongue weight or pin weight you can haul. Find a trailer that matches these numbers or start looking at a higher rated tow vehicle.
I know that if you add up the axle ratings, you get a higher number than the GVWR. My truck is: 5990lb Front GAWR + 7230lb Rear GAWR = 13,220 lbs which is 1,720lbs higher than the 11,500lb GVWR, but I opt to use the manufacturers most limiting ratings (GVWR) on setting up my rig.
CAT Scales has a Smartphone AP that allows you to pull on the scale, weigh, pay, and get a PDF of the weight ticket emailed to you. You cab do all of this from the cab of your truck and get accurate weights of your tow vehicle and trailer. This is a highly recommended part of setting up your rig. Knowing your actual weights is key to the performance of your rig.
Do the math and everything will work out. SAFE TRAVELS!
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Old 05-06-2019, 11:27 AM   #9
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2275 is less than on the 2015 F50 I had, 2447#. It pulled our Cougar great and was under all numbers. Today I have a 2016 F350 SRW with a CCC of 3550 pulling a 2019 Montana 3761FL. This model has tons of storage in the rear. With only batteries and sewer stuff in the front compartment and a tv in the passthrough I'm barely making CCC although lots of cushion everywhere else. I pulled a HC for 2 years (370BR) with full FW at the rear and had only slightly better CCC numbers on the 350. Loved our Cougar and believe that will be your category as it will be hard to find a Montana or HC that will make your numbers.
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Old 05-06-2019, 01:47 PM   #10
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Welcome to the MOC Forum. Weight and tires are always hot topics.
If I read your post correctly you already have the truck. This puts you in the position to know what you can not tow. Montana’s are heavy and tall and if you’re full time you’ll carry more than a weekend warrior.
A 40’ most likely is out. There are lots of folks out here full time in smaller Montana’s look around and you’ll find you home.
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Old 05-06-2019, 02:09 PM   #11
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Don't get all caught up on the weight hype...... fact is 250 & 350 are almost the same truck, brakes etc all the same, you can buy more weight for the trucks you just have to pay... Alot of people on this forum and others focus on the weight and provide advise that isn't fact.

Fact is you can buy more weight for the truck, the weights are about commercial licensing, in most States/Provinces recreation trailers are exempt........

Relax your truck will pull a Monty fine.......
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Old 05-06-2019, 04:59 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by speedster100 View Post
Don't get all caught up on the weight hype...... fact is 250 & 350 are almost the same truck, brakes etc all the same, you can buy more weight for the trucks you just have to pay... Alot of people on this forum and others focus on the weight and provide advise that isn't fact.

Fact is you can buy more weight for the truck, the weights are about commercial licensing, in most States/Provinces recreation trailers are exempt........

Relax your truck will pull a Monty fine.......

Please provide a link to this info so I can believe it.
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Old 05-06-2019, 05:02 PM   #13
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And here we go...
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Old 05-06-2019, 05:04 PM   #14
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Go look it up, I've already purchased extra weight for my 3500hd and did so for my 2500hd as well. Need it to tow around Backhoe's & Dozers...

Just pay the MTO /DOT as most who do commercial work already knows...
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Old 05-06-2019, 05:16 PM   #15
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Here's on more thing to consider. Whether it's a 250 or a 350 and a single rear wheel it may still not safely pull a Montana. Many Montanas will put enough weight in the bed that you can't buy tires that can handle that weight. You can guess how I know. If you overloead the tires, buldges in the sidewall and cracked beads are in your future, regardless of what it says on your door.
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Old 05-06-2019, 06:32 PM   #16
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If your already concerned about it why not just go ahead and buy the dually one ton so you don't have to worry about it?????????????????????????


This isn't rocket science folks. A dually 1 ton assures you have enough truck no question about it. And if you can't handle the slightly wider rear end on one then why on earth are you even thinking about hauling a 40' 5th wheel down the road? Geezzzzz. If you can't drive any better than that do us all a favor and take a cab to your motel room!
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Old 05-06-2019, 06:43 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by speedster100 View Post
Go look it up, I've already purchased extra weight for my 3500hd and did so for my 2500hd as well. Need it to tow around Backhoe's & Dozers...

Just pay the MTO /DOT as most who do commercial work already knows...
I’m confused?
Buy more weight? Yes you can license your vehicle with heavier tags.
That still doesn’t change the sticker on the truck!
You can add heavier spring packs and air bags still doesn’t change the sticker.
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Old 05-06-2019, 07:06 PM   #18
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Tires?? Mine on the f350 are rated at over 4000# each, about 8500# total. Some are rated even higher. Talk to your tire dealer.
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Old 05-06-2019, 07:07 PM   #19
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Very touchy subject.
Lets do some math.
GVWR = 10,000lbs
From that number you need to subtract the weight of passenger, gear, hitch, etc, to find out what your remaining Cargo Capacity will be.
The following numbers are for examples sake...truck weight = 7,000lbs (my '06 F250 weighed more than 8,000). Passenger weight = 300lbs. Hitch weight = 75lbs. Not knowing what else you plan on carrying, I will not even guess a weight.
10,000lbs
- 7,000lbs
- 300lbs
- 75lbs
_________
2,625lbs


For this example, 2,625lbs will be the max pin (hitch) weight.
Using the 20% pin weight mentioned earlier (although I believe 21% or 22% is a better real world number) your future RV should not exceed 13,125lbs GVWR.
Your actual numbers may vary but based on this example I don't believe a big Montana is in your future with your F250.


A lot of people will tell you your F250 is fine. A lot of people will tell you that you need an F350 SRW. And others will tell you that you need a dually, PERIOD. I'm not here to tell you what to buy or what not to buy. That decision is entirely yours. Just do the math.


Also, for the life of me, I don't know how paying a government agency will change the factory ratings of your truck. (just saying)
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Old 05-06-2019, 07:08 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by MidMOTraveler View Post
I’m confused?
Buy more weight? Yes you can license your vehicle with heavier tags.
That still doesn’t change the sticker on the truck!
You can add heavier spring packs and air bags still doesn’t change the sticker.
Thank you! If that worked I'd buy a Mobile Suites and tag my f350 like a Freightliner.
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