Ford F250

[Bob n Lee]

Hi Folks new to the site. We arecontemplating purchasing a 36rl. Problem is we have a 2012 Ford F250 diesel 6.7 I have beefed up the rear end with extra springs and two helpers not sure if I still have enough truck to pull the trailer. Ford says I can pull 16,000lbs but that is what Ford says. Anybody with any info<div id="isChromeWebToolbarDiv" style="display:n&#111;ne">

[Dave&Ginny]

[QUOTE=Bob n Lee]Hi Folks new to the site. We arecontemplating purchasing a 36rl. Problem is we have a 2012 Ford F250 diesel 6.7 I have beefed up the rear end with extra springs and two helpers not sure if I still have enough truck to pull the trailer. Ford says I can pull 16,000lbs but that is what Ford says. Anybody with any info[/QU

A lot depends on how the trailer is equipped. The diesel itself has plenty of torque to do the job but now you have to worry about the tires since you've already beefed up the springs. You should be able to keep the weight down on the RL to the 16000 lb limit of your truck as long as you load up the RL with options like the generator, dual pane windows and keep the fresh water tank empty.

[Bob n Lee]

Thanks Dave and Ginny

[mhs4771]

Looks like you'll be on the hairy edge. Pulling isn't the problem with any of the newer Diesels. What does Ford say about the cargo capacity? That's an area for many of the 250/2500s fall down, that and the rear axle and tires as already mentioned. Our RL is pretty well loaded and left the Factory empty at 13700 and that was less any propane, our combo washer/dryer, and sat dish. So they do run heavy, but nothing compared to a Mobile Suit. And remember all the holding tanks are in the front of the unit.

[Dave&Ginny]

I'd be more worried about the pin weight than I would the gross towing capacity. If your F250 is a crewcab 4x4 your load capacity ranges from 2210 to 2430 depending on the length of your bed. That weight includes you, your hitch and everything else you put into your truck.

The Redwood "RL" has a 20% hitch weight. People are usually drawn to the Redwood because they like luxury and unfortunately luxury equals weight. I have seen people beef up their trucks to handle more than what the manufactures recommend but I don't think it's a good idea. Even if you get a stripped down RL I think you'll still have an empty weight at around 13000 lbs which would put your pin weight at 2600 lbs.

The good news is that the F250 and the F350 share the same differentials. The differences are the torsion bars, and springs so they can be beefed up until you threaten your tires. I'm not sure about the brakes. Don't take overloading your truck lightly if you're planing on pulling the trailer any distance at all.

Good Luck

[Adamsvr]

Bob n Lee, our 2012 36RL came in at 13150lbs empty. We added a washer/dryer and the Onan 5500 Gold Generator. Fully loaded it now weighs 15850lbs. As for the F250, 350, and 450, all have the same diesel 6.7 powertrains. Much of the differences between them are listed above, with the exception of the transmissions. On our F450 dually, we selected a 4.3 gear ratio for the extra torque. It also has an integrated break controller, which has really come in handy. Other than adding airbags, you have just about done almost everything to beef up the suspension.

My recommendation is to go to your RV dealer and see if you can successfully pull and stop a demo 36RL before signing on the dotted line. Good luck!

[Bob n Lee]

Thanks everyone for your help. I was going to add air bags if we get the Redwood but I was curious if the truck would handle it. It is a 4x4 extended cab (not 4 doors) box is the 6.9 feet. 18 inch Michelin tires (that I would like to get rid of) Ford did say that the 250 could handle a 5th wheel trailer at 16000lbs but we have a 30 ft 5th wheel 2011 Cougar and I didnt like the sag (not that it was very much) but I'm a bit anal and added the extra leaf. I was then given the parts for the helpers and added them in as well. Our trailer now isnt even sitting on the helpers. I still have the brochure around somewhere that gives the towing pin weight finding it may be the problem. I think we may be out of the game if we have to replace the truck as well.

[TravelinAnderson]

As you mentioned, it looks like you're 2012 Supercab is good up to 16,000 pounds according to Fords chart.
What surprised me was the towing capacity for the F350 SRW was 100 pounds less than the F250 SRW... look for yourselves..
http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...DtyPUnov17.pdf

[Dave&Ginny]

I understand your problem, I started out with a 2011 f350 SRW 4x4 which I loved but after I ordered the RL loaded up, it was too heavy for the truck. I was getting screwed over by all of the local dealer when I learned about WhiteHouse Ford in Nebraska from "KR2012" here on this forum. They are the largest Ford dealership in the country and they had on hand 181 F350's when I called. They gave me such a good deal it was worth the drive. They told me that they ship trucks all over the world so they might be able to help you. I ended up with a F350 4x4 Laret dually and it tows my trailer fully loaded without a problem although I am putting bags under it to eliminate the chucking.

My advice to everyone is this; buy as much as you can afford and enjoy life.....life is short

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by TravelinAnderson

As you mentioned, it looks like you're 2012 Supercab is good up to 16,000 pounds according to Fords chart.
What surprised me was the towing capacity for the F350 SRW was 100 pounds less than the F250 SRW... look for yourselves..
http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...DtyPUnov17.pdf

Not only that, the F450 has less carrying capacity than the F350 although the F450 can tow more

Edited by: Dave&Ginny

[mhs4771]

Just a thought, is it because the F450 is much heavier than the F350 that it cuts down on it's cargo capacity?

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

Just a thought, is it because the F450 is much heavier than the F350 that it cuts down on it's cargo capacity?

I think you're right. My wife loved the ride of the F450 because it seemed more solid during the demo ride. I think they have a thicker torsion bars.

[5th_Time]

Just remember, most insurance companies consider anything over 350, 3500, etc to be a "medium duty" and charge much higher rates if they'll write it at all. Plus, many states require you to register these trucks as Commercial even though they know they're only used for towing camping trailers.

You might find there is a substantial increase in expense for only a small increment in capacity.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by 5th_Time

Just remember, most insurance companies consider anything over 350, 3500, etc to be a "medium duty" and charge much higher rates if they'll write it at all. Plus, many states require you to register these trucks as Commercial even though they know they're only used for towing camping trailers.

You might find there is a substantial increase in expense for only a small increment in capacity.

Good point

[rcflame]

It may take a little shopping around for the right insurance, but there are companies out there that are into the medium duty haulers. Up until last fall when we downsized because our travels have changed, I used a Freightliner FL60 for 10 yrs. to pull our trailer. When I first went looking for insurance, there were some that wanted to charge us commercial insurance but an insurance agent that is RV knowledgable can write it. The insurance cost on the Freightliner was comparable to our 3500 Chevy now.

As to the truck capacity, there is one more thing to keep in mind. All trucks come with a manufactures recommended GCW, GVW, and GTC. If you excede these figures, no matter what additions or changes you have made, and get into an accident, a lawyer can have a hayday. It won't matter if it is your fault or not, once you exceed the limits for the truck, you are in the wrong.

[RollsRoyce]

rcflame Roger, yousaid dor 10 years you pulled wirh a FL90 What are you towing with now and what trailer or coach do you own?

[rcflame]

We now pull with a Chevy 3500 long bed crew cab drw. Since we aren't bouncing around as much as we use to, and we are also staying more in the center of the US we decided to sell the F/L and downsize. The wife likes driving the Chevy better than the F/L, and since the towing capacity on the Chevy is well over what I tow, it has worked out fine. If you check out Trailer Life's Towing Guide you will see the Chevy has one of the highest towing capacities of the big three. We used to pull a Carriage Cari-lite XL5, but traded for a Redwood 36 RL this summer.

[butch&ann]

i dont know about a ford, but my dodge 2500 handles my 38rl just fine

[jlandon13399]

Butch,



I have a 2010 F250 diesel crew cab. I purchased a new 2012 RW34SK and for safety reasons am having Air Lift air bags and compressor kit installed this Thursday. I will then pull the new RV on the highway for the first time. I did hook-up at Lazydays and pulled it to their campground and my truck did sag in the rear. The air bags will aleviate this problem.

[butch&ann]

I HOPE YOU HAVE OVERLOAD SPRINGS, BUT EITHER WAY I AM SURE YOU BE FINE. DONT FORGET YOU HAVE ADJUSTMENTS ON BOTH TRUCK AND TRAILER SO THAT IT WILL PULL LEVEL