Using my truck and trailer to move other people's equipment

[Diamondpilot]

You have it right. Weigh the truck and subtract that from 12,000# and you have the tow rating. For example my F-350 weighs 7,600# with me and 3/4 tank. Its GCWR is 24,000# so the math looks like this 24,000-7,600=16,400# for towing/cargo.

Chris

 

[Builder]

I think you've got it right Builder.

The trick for me is sorting out just what my truck can pull, according to the book, with the 3.55 rear end and 3 speed automatic tranny, she's rated at around 12000 lbs GCWR (1986 Ford F250 with the 351 gas), I'm thinking that leaves not a bunch for the trailer? I don't know the truck's weight, it's an 8600 GVWR.

I disagree with the post above. I don't think that sounds right.

That's really low on GCWR. I would think that truck should be able to handle a 10K trailer safely. Do you have a sticker that says "12,000 lb GCWR"? I would think it would be ~19K. I remember having an '89 F-250 4x4 w/ a 460 and I think it was 18-19K GCWR.

My 1992 GMC 3/4 ton with 350 Gas 4 speed auto (with 4.10's though), pulled 15000 lbs relatively securely. I'm not sure my Ford could handle that. Is there something I'm missing or am I limited to 12000lbs minus truck weight, which would leave me the amount I could tow?

Thanks,
Joel

I don't have the spec sheet in front of me, but it almost seems like you've got "GCWR" mixed up with "max tow rating". I would think the '92 GMC should be able to legally handle a 12K trailer, easily on a 5th wheel. Might be a borderline case on a bumper pull on a 3/4 ton.

12,000lbs GCWR is too low. If you took 12,000GCWR and subtracted your truck's empty weight (let's say it's 7,000lbs) that would mean you could only pull a 5,000lb trailer. That's much too low-even for an older 3/4 ton gas truck.

To give you some perspective, I used to pull a dual axle 10K trailer with a 6K Kubota L-285 4x4 backhoe on it behind a 83 F-150 4x4 with a 302. It pulled it OK.

You would have to think that a newer F-250 or GMC 2500 would be even more capable of pulling a trailer like that, not be limited to 5,000lbs.

 

[JoelD]

Thanks for the replies, when looking in the owner's manual, page 142 has a table titled Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)

5.8 Liter motor, 3.55 gears (of which there is only one lower ratio of 4.10), max is listed as 11,500lbs, the 4.10's with the 5.8 gets 13,500.

The 460 with 4.10's is the highest at 18,500.

I am a little shocked at the low numbers, does not seem logical. My Dad's 1970's chevelle with 307 pulled more weight with our loaded down travel trailer.

Joel

 

[em14]

Joel - I agree with Builder about doing small local stuff where the DOT guys don't bother you as much ... But, and there is always a but, I have seen FDOT pull over local guys here, not often, but it has happened. As I travel from Florida to Alabama where my farm is I do see lots of DOT activity on occasion. The fines are high and are not worth the possible cost to move, yes, my own stuff! And don't think these guys aren't watching in the weight stations you may encounter on a inter-state trip. You owe it to yourself to read the DOT requirements ..

 

[Builder]

Thanks for the replies, when looking in the owner's manual, page 142 has a table titled Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)

5.8 Liter motor, 3.55 gears (of which there is only one lower ratio of 4.10), max is listed as 11,500lbs, the 4.10's with the 5.8 gets 13,500.

The 460 with 4.10's is the highest at 18,500.

I am a little shocked at the low numbers, does not seem logical. My Dad's 1970's chevelle with 307 pulled more weight with our loaded down travel trailer.

Joel

Yeah, that's pretty pathetic. According to Ford their 3/4 ton 4x4 truck would be overloaded with a 5K trailer.

Doesn't seem right.

What does the GMC owners manual say?

 

[JoelD]

Sorry, I don't have the GMC nor the manual any more. The frame basically rusted to pieces and I went to the ford. The GMC was the strongest vehicle I've ever owned. It is amazing what a little old 350 chevy motor is capable of.

Joel

 

[Diamondpilot]

It still is that way with Ford and GM. Take a late model F-150 with a 5.4 and the good towing stuff then match it up to a F-250 with the 5.4 and the same good towing stuff and the F-150 will out tow the F-250 on paper. Same thing with GM and Dodge. Not sure about the real new stuff but 4 or 5 years ago we were looking for a plow truck/marina truck and while I know the F-250 would do a better job the F-150 with that motor had better specs.

I Just looked at a 2005 GMC Yukon XL 2500 with a 6.0L and 4.10 Gears and the tow rating was 8,200#. Got into the owners manual which also had 1500 series and the 1500 series with the 5.3L could do more than the 2500 with the 6.0L. The 8.1 was a whole other story but finding one of them is like pulling teeth. Really would like a Excursion with the V-10 that has not been beat to death or all dented up from a Soccer Mom trying to park it.



Chris

 

[JoelD]

I can't imagine my truck having trouble with anything around 10000lbs, but on paper it looks, as you've said, pathetic. My truck is sprung strong, has the plow package, etc. Should tow 10K I would expect, and I would not expect that to be dangerous?

Joel

 

[Builder]

I can't imagine my truck having trouble with anything around 10000lbs, but on paper it looks, as you've said, pathetic. My truck is sprung strong, has the plow package, etc. Should tow 10K I would expect, and I would not expect that to be dangerous?

Joel

Which one?

 

[JoelD]

Ford, I sold the GMC.

Current truck is 1986 F250.

Thanks Builder,
Joel