Towing questions

[radryan2030]

Hopefully someone out there can explain to me how to figure out the towing capacities. I am a builder in Idaho and we have a 2001 F350 crew cab diesel and we own a couple of forlifts and heavy equipment that weigh around 24,000 lbs. We also have a couple Chevy Duramax's but they are all 3/4 ton. We have always had our excavator transport them for us in the past. I belive this is too much weight to haul with the F350 but I have never understood how the capacities work. Is there anyone out there that can tell me what the max I can tow with the ford on a 5th wheel trailer and how to make sense of it. Thanks.

[Leader]

Are you asking what Ford recommends, what is legal, or what can it haul?
Fords recomandation... I believe is 20,000 lbs. GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) That is the weight of truck, trailer, and anything loaded in or on them. Depends on engine size, transmit ion, & axle ratio.
Legal.... You would have to check with your state on that one. Most states you have to register your truck for the weight you will be hauling. Many HotShot drivers use F350's to haul loads in the range you are talking about.
What will it haul... Depending on how it was loaded & on what...... I would guess well over 100,000 lbs. But I sure wouldn't do that on a public road.

[dieselman]

No. The F350 will not be able to safely tow 24 000lbs. At most, with the weight of the trailer (fifth wheel configuration) it will safely tow 16,200 (4x4). That's with a 4.10 rear axle ratio (you should be able to find your axle ratio posted in the glove box). If you have a conventional trailer (king pin configuration), you can tow a maximum of 12 000lbs. The towing capacities are rated by the strength of the trucks frame.

You can tow more with a fifth wheels as the weight is distributed directly over the rear axle, as a conventional trailer hangs off the end of the frame, decreasing capacity. To safely tow 24K lbs, you will require a class 7 or 8 truck.