HI!
Someone suggested I use the ford.com/support/towing-calculator in order to determine if the trucks I'm interested in will my pull my RV.
A Ford dealer suggested I use ford-trucks.com/forums/vindecoder to get the exact details on the truck.
Anyone else use these sites? I'm asking, but the info is different.
The towing calculator says max tongue weight is 1875#, the vin decoder says: 3750, 3125lbs 3050.0 min 4750.0 max, any idea why the info is different?

 

The VIN decoder from FTE is generic in nature. Hence, the ranges given.

 

Well that explains the differences!
Thanks!

 

Forget tow ratings. They don't mean much with 1/2 ton trucks. Look at the yellow sticker on the driver's door for the truck's payload rating. Every truck is different; you won't find that anywhere online nor in a brochure. You have to physically look at each truck. I've seen F150's with as little as 1100 lbs and some closer to 2100 lbs. The GVWR is the same on all of them. They subtract the actual curb weight of each individual truck from GVWR to determine payload. The heavier the truck the less payload.

High end trim packages like the King Rance or Platinum will have a lower payload than an XL or XLT. 4X4's will have a little less than 4X2's. Regular cabs and Super cabs have more payload than SuperCrews.

Most XLT 4X4 SuperCrew trucks will have 1700-1900 lbs of payload. A platinum may only have 1500-1600 lbs.

Determine the max weight of any trailer you plan to pull then figure 13% of that as tongue weight. Lets say you want to pull a 7000 lb trailer. That would eat up about 900 lbs of your payload. Then figure another 100 lbs for a weight distribution hitch. If the truck you buy has 1800 lbs of payload that would leave you about 800 lbs for you, passengers, and cargo in the truck. My wife and I are 360 lbs combined so I'd be under 500 lbs for other passengers and cargo if I were driving. Pulling 7000 lbs would be doable with 1800 lbs of payload for me. But I'd have to pack carefully. If I needed to carry more than 1 other passenger then 7000 lbs might be too much.

The tow rating may be 13,000 lbs, but the only way that's going to happen is with an empty truck and a skinny driver. Tow ratings tell you how much weight the drivetrain will PULL. Not how much weight the trucks suspension will handle. And with 1/2 tons payload is almost always the limiting factor.

Realistically around 7000 lbs is about as much as most 1/2 tons should be pulling. If you had a 2wd regular cab XL with over 2000 lbs of payload you could handle more weight because the truck is lighter.

3/4 ton trucks tow ratings are very little, if any more than 1/2 tons. The difference is 2500-3000 lbs of payload meaning their suspensions can handle the weight better.

 

Correct on payload but not on the GVWR comment. Depending on how the truck is equipped (drivetrain, frame, axles, wheels) the GVWR could be as low as 6800# or as high as 7700#.

 

Thanks but I cannot look at the truck's door sticker because I'm trying to determine if I need a F250 or a F350 to pull our Pilgrim Legends 32' 29MK3SLF-M 5th wheel with a dry weight of #9965. I know my F150 won't be able to handle it...that's why I was asking about the information differences. I'd prefer not to go as big as an F350, but if that's what I need to safely pull the RV, that's what I'll look for.

Why is this so hard to determine, ugh! I really appreciate everyone's help.

 

Check out the fordpro.com website, relatively speaking there is better value with the super duties. My brother in law recently bought a King Ranch F-150 for $80K. Out of curiosity I looked at this website and found a 26' F-350 Crew Cab 3.73 locking rear axle with the camper package for $70K. This is literally twice the truck capacity wise, with a longer bed which would be better for 5th wheel setup.

 

IMO, I have read and heard the srwd F350 is far superior over the F250, transmission for one. For the difference in money, it would be a no brainer. Keep in mind, brochure numbers generally under report weights. Also keep in mind the wind forces are rarely taken into consideration, never just barely get by if you don't have to. Good luck, hope you get the perfect setup.

 

I suppose you'd have to define "far superior". Transmission difference now is negligible as they all have the 10 speed. 6.8 and 7.3 get the 10R100 and the Diesel gets the 10R140. I think the Tremor 7.3 gets the 10R140 too. In any case you won't notice a difference from the drivers seat as oppose to the past when the 6 speed was still offered.

The payload on a F350 SRW vs F250 is several hundred pound difference.

To me the biggest reason for a F250 is if you want to get the derate option for below 10k GVW.

Price difference if all else is the same is about $1300 so yea, it would be worth it to me.