Is GCVWR just a reccomendation?

newbury · Nov 3, 2012

fabsroman said:
<snip>
here is a list of towing capacities for Ford:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/default.asp

Are these "suggestions"? I think they are more like guidelines. Exceed them at your own risk.

They must be "suggestions", for the 2002 model F350, at the bottom it states that the 12,500 lb limit is due to the factory hitch rating.

yellowdogsvc · Nov 4, 2012

I was just looking at the 2012 towing recommendations for Ford Superduty.
My 2005, F350, 6.0 PS, DRW 4x4 is rated for 15k trailer and 23,500 GCWR. A 2012 F350 SRW, 6.7 PS 4x4 is rated for 14k bumper and 23,500 GCWR. I feel more stable in the DRW F350 versus when I towed with a SRW F350.

I think the manufacturers play with the numbers. I currently tow about 12k to 12,600 lbs with the factory class V hitch. I used a pintle combo rated for 16k on both mount and ball, crossed safety chains, and breakaway on a trailer rated at 13k. Though I'm sure a SRW will tow that weight easily, I like the stability of the DRW but the numbers tell me that they are about the same.

Pics of my setup. I recently purchased a newer trailer. I weighed everything, too, to be sure where I was at.

slowzuki · Nov 7, 2012

Even the new (2010+) guide says max of 100 lb perm installed hardware, max 600 lb of removable headgear and plow on a diesel. Whats a boss V with all the gear and mounts weigh, 900+ lb?

The older 250/350 like mine have the reduced 5200 lb axle rating vs the new 6000 lb rating, I remember reading the diesel version of mine plow weight ratings and they basically limit you to a snow bear or something silly.

Even the dealers ignore this info, they will sell you a new truck c/w plow off the lot that exceeds the ratings.