2012 F250 Powerstroke towing

[yellowdogsvc]

I've never owned a 3/4 ton. I've been hauling with F350's for my entire career but lately I'm tired of my 6.0 and 6.4 for running around so I started looking at the f250 with 6.7 for doing bids and occasionally pulling my 13k trailer. My question is, will the f250 handle the weight of a Bobcat and trailer that weighs about 12,300 lbs without squatting too much? It's a short bed f250 4x4 crew cab and the trailer is 18'. I also would need to occasionally pull a 12,600 chipper but not very often. I know the truck is rated for that weight but I've not used a short bed or 3/4 ton in business.

Thanks!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Check the GVWR. Ford used between 8,800# & 10,000#

I used to bumper pull 15,600# boat with my 04 F250. No problems but my suggestion would be spend the extra $600 to step up to a F350 SRW with a GVWR of about 11,500#. That's what I have now and it handles it much better. The 250 squatted about 6" & the 350 maybe 2"


I notice less tire wear on both the truck and triple axle trailer, especially the front axle of both.

Chris

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I've got two F350's. One 6.0 and one 6.4. I'm looking for a short bed and can't find it in F350. The GVWR of the 6.7 F250 is 10k. It's rated for a 14k bumper pull but I was curious about real world since I've never owned anything but 1 ton trucks. Thanks for the specifics on the squat. My chipper is tongue heavy.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I've got two F350's. One 6.0 and one 6.4. I'm looking for a short bed and can't find it in F350. The GVWR of the 6.7 F250 is 10k. It's rated for a 14k bumper pull but I was curious about real world since I've never owned anything but 1 ton trucks. Thanks for the specifics on the squat. My chipper is tongue heavy.

My F350 is single rear wheel SRW. You will be happy you went this route and yes, its a short bed.

Order what you want if you can't find it.

Chris

 

[HHR]

Ford softened the springs on the F250 in 2011 and they sag much more than the prior generation. Bring your heaviest trailer to the dealer and hook it up to the truck you are looking at to know for sure if the truck can handle it.

 

[vrmnthntr]

If it were me, I would consider the F 350 unless you are going to add extra springs or air bags.

A friend of mine bought a 2012 250 and he hooked up to my trailer with 11,000 lbs and it dropped the rear bumper probably 6 or 7 inches. But it rides great because of the soft springs. His father also has a new 250 and pulls a 43 foot toy hauler that is around 15,000 lbs I think. He added air bags and it pulls great.

I used to have a 08 250 and with 10,000 lbs on the trailer, the rear would sag more than I liked. It pulled great. With a ton in the bed it would also sag.

I now have a 2012 Ram 2500. 12,000 lbs on a trailer and it just levels out. And 2,500 in the bed doesn't tell it anything.

 

[dondc]

I would suggest you use an equalizer weight distribution hitch. My 2011 F350 states on the hitch that it is rated for only 5000 lbs trailer 500 lbs hitch weight unless you use an equalizer hitch then it is rated to 12.500 lbs and 1,250 on the hitch. This also reduces or eliminates any rear end sag. I just pulled an l35 TLB 6500 lbs on a 10,000 lb equipment trailer from Calgary to Vancouver Island over 3 mountain passes and it handled it easily.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I was in same spot as you and went with a 2012 f350 srw cc and it does great. Most I have put on it so far was about 18k and seemed to handle it better than my 97 f450.
My father in law when with a f250 and had to add air bags to handle 11k camper.
On a side note don't get the snow plow package unless you are putting a plow on it. His f250 rides alot harded than mine due to the snow plow package.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I was in same spot as you and went with a 2012 f350 srw cc and it does great. Most I have put on it so far was about 18k and seemed to handle it better than my 97 f450.
My father in law when with a f250 and had to add air bags to handle 11k camper.
On a side note don't get the snow plow package unless you are putting a plow on it. His f250 rides alot harded than mine due to the snow plow package.

I have to disagree with ya on the plow package. My 06 has it and I believe you get a even bigger rad and tranny cooler than the tow package. It also gives you dual alternators and bigger batteries along with heavier front springs.

I can see doing without the heavier springs but the 05 and later Super's ride so much better with coil springs versus the previous generation with front leaf springs.

Chris

 

[powerstroke444e]

You may be right on tranny cooler I have not compared them but both trucks have single high output alt. Not dual alt's.
The only other difference is I have 17" wheels on my f350 he has 20" on the f250. I guess that could be part of the ride issue.