Need bigtime help on trailer decision

Diamondpilot · Mar 23, 2008

His tow rating is 10,100# according to my data for a 2004 2500 gasser, both GN and bumper pull. The 4 speed and the gas engine kill the tow rating. If you had the diesel you could tow about 5,500# more. Its a common problem with all 3/4 and 1 ton trucks with gas engines except for the V10 Ford. A F-150 can actually tow more than a F-250 with the 5.4L gas engine for example because the truck weighs about 1,500# less.

The reason it only gives one rating is you are allowed x amount of wight and with your setup you can not gain anything with a GN over bumper pull due to that limit. If you had a diesel you would be limited at 12,500# on the bumper, and 15,600# with a GN.

Chris

Builder · Mar 23, 2008

Diamondpilot said:
His tow rating is 10,100# according to my data for a 2004 2500 gasser, both GN and bumper pull. The 4 speed and the gas engine kill the tow rating. If you had the diesel you could tow about 5,500# more. Its a common problem with all 3/4 and 1 ton trucks with gas engines except for the V10 Ford. A F-150 can actually tow more than a F-250 with the 5.4L gas engine for example because the truck weighs about 1,500# less.

The reason it only gives one rating is you are allowed x amount of wight and with your setup you can not gain anything with a GN over bumper pull due to that limit. If you had a diesel you would be limited at 12,500# on the bumper, and 15,600# with a GN.

Chris

In '06-07 it increased to 10,300lbs. I don't know what year truck he has.

It's amazing how lame the tow rating is on the F-250 5.4 Triton. Only 8800lbs.

Man that's weak.

Builder · Mar 23, 2008

jk96 said:
Here's a good link with tow rating info for anyone else who needs it. Gives ratings by engine size, 4wd vs 2wd, model, etc.

Trailer Life Magazine: America's Number One RV Magazine

You will also want to check your GCWR. I re-checked the rating for my 05 F250 (reg cab long bed) and shows 15,900 for a goosneck max but the GCWR is 23,000 lbs. So if you do the math that leaves me with only 7,100 lbs for the truck and and additional cargo (including passengers). I think the dry weight of my truck is around 7,200 lbs before adding fuel and driver/passenger. This would also put my load at twice the weight of the truck and again I stress you have to be able to stop.

jk

That's the whole point of my "brochure tow ratings" beef. They give you these amazing tow ratings, but none of their trucks can possibly acheive them. Once you put a realistic payload in the truck which includes 35-40 gallons of fuel, tools, passenger(s), tow hitch, etc? My last F-350 supercab 4x4 weighed 8,000lbs empty. The "all important" brochure listed my 5th wheel rating at 15,300lbs, but with a GVWR of 22,000lbs, I could really only 5th wheel 14,000 lbs legally.

Farmwithjunk · Mar 23, 2008

LabLuvR said:
I'm going into the food plot business and will need to haul as much equipment as possible at one time. Being almost to the point of stupid about trailers I'm in dire need of some suggestions if you will.

Here is the deal. I have a 2500 HD 4x4 GMC with the gas six liter engine.In the worst case scenerio with my plot business I see me needing to haul the following at one time "if possible".

37 hp 4x4 Kubota around 3,000 lbs. 12 ft. long
Six foot deep disc around 1,000 lbs.??
6' chisel plow 3' deep around 1,000lbs
2 row JD Flex 71 planter 800 lbs????????

All of those pieces come up to me needing around a length of 21-22' of load space.

Can this be done safely with one trailer? I think it can but need someone that knows to advise. Second, while I do recognize a gooseneck would probably be the best, it is almost essential that I keep the pickup bed free to haul a four wheeler, fertilizer etc.etc

My grand plan is to back the disc onto the trailer, then back on the planter and then have the tractor with the chisel plow attached, facing foward on the trailer as that would be the first implement I would probably need. I can with no problem switch things around if suggested but need to get two piece of equipment near the front of the trailer with tractor being last.

All opinions welcome. Thanks again!!

What are you going to do to a #71 2 row planter to get it to weigh 800lbs? Individual row units are 115 lbs each, (#70's are 105 per) Figure 150 lbs for an outrageously heavy duty toolbar hitch and you're still under 400lbs.

Get a Looooooooooong trailer.

Diamondpilot · Mar 23, 2008

Builder said:
In '06-07 it increased to 10,300lbs. I don't know what year truck he has.

It's amazing how lame the tow rating is on the F-250 5.4 Triton. Only 8800lbs. Man that's weak.

He said his truck was a 2004 with a 4 speed automatic and 4.10 gears. He said its a short bed but did not say what cab but according to my data it really does not make 100-200# of difference.

Not sure where you got your data on the 5.4L towing rating but its actually 12,100#. I just confirmed my data on Fords web site. The Ford and Dodge gas trucks have the same problem as the GM that the bumper and GN rating are the same because of its limited power you can not gain anything from a GN over bumper pull as far as pounds go. I 100% agree that its no great tow rig but it is what it is, entry level 3/4 ton truck. Around here all you see driving anything gas 3/4 ton or bigger is service vehicles like delivery trucks, apartment maintenance, school maintenance, ect.

Chris

LabLuvR · Mar 23, 2008

FarmWithJunk,

I was guessing to the high side. Thanks for the more accurate numbers. Was I right on the 6' chisel plow at 1,000lbs and the six foot disc weighing 1,000lbs.?

Builder · Mar 23, 2008

Diamondpilot said:
He said his truck was a 2004 with a 4 speed automatic and 4.10 gears. He said its a short bed but did not say what cab but according to my data it really does not make 100-200# of difference.

Not sure where you got your data on the 5.4L towing rating but its actually 12,100#. I just confirmed my data on Fords web site.

Says right here that a F-250/350 crewcab with a Triton 5.4L and 3.73's is 9,100lbs. If you upgrade to 4.10's you get a lusty 11,100lbs tow rating.
Ford Vehicles: Super Duty - Specifications

Diamondpilot · Mar 23, 2008

Ford offers 3 different GVWR packages and 2 rear axles on the 5.4L. If you go to 4.10's on a 4x4 automatic regular cab short bed like the truck in question its much higher. His truck is automatic 4x4 4.10 gears regular cab so lets keep things on a even playing field.

Chris

Builder · Mar 23, 2008

I'm looking at crewcab. I thought he had a crewcab. Lists ford 5.4L auto w/ 3.73's as 9,100 and 4.10's at 11,100 for '08 trucks.

Not exactly fair to compare an '04 GMC to an '08 Ford, either. GM has raised tow ratings 1,000lbs since '07.