skipnchar
Google Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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It's a product of many peoples false believe that the POWER to tow a trailer means it's OK to tow a trailer. Since 250/2500 trucks have the same power plant as the 350/3500 trucks they will tow the same weights but they DO have different weight ratings (GVWR and GAWR) so SHOULD not be towing the same weights. A LARGE number of 250/2500 trucks towing larger RVs are actually towing over their weight ratings. The SAME logic that says it's OK would tell you that a Corvette would make a great tow vehicle.
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
OR 2004 F-150 HD (85,000 towing miles)
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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Joined: 08/23/2005
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TXiceman wrote:We can try to help people that are ignorant, but you can't cure stupid....
Ken
Very True.
In addition, many don't know how poor their combination truly is. Furthermore they don't realize they are a hazard to others or how much better and relaxed their towing combo could be with the right size TV.
While finances are an issue, in many cases there is a lack of knowledge more so than a lack of money.
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VintageRacer
Dundas, Ontario
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Joined: 04/02/2005
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I don't think it's lack of knowledge or not understanding the numbers, i think it's people just don't give a hoot. Their attitude is if I don't get caught it's not wrong, if I don't kill someone I must be fine, and I'm a manly man, I don't need to follow no stinking rules made up by someone who just doesn't understand what a manly man I am. Manly men can do anything they want.
A little tongue in cheek, but there is a large grain of truth in there.
Brian
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab, Hemi, 5 speed manual, 3.73 gears, Tow Beast hitch with 24" extension.
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Aridon
SE Florida
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Honestly people don't care. So long as they feel that they can drive it safely (regardless if it really is safe or not) many will do it.
I've driven X way for Y number of years and never had a problem. Fill in the variables however you wish and there is someone that said it.
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grampachet
West Coast
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Joined: 12/14/2006
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When a 250 has the same part numbers for the brakes and bearings, and same 6 leaf spring package as the 350 along with vin number stating it is between 6,000 and 10,000 gvwr there is room for a lot of discussion. When you carefully look at all the numbers in the Ford spec sheet and find the only difference between 20,000 and 17,000 towing capacity is the gear ration in the differential, how can a person say it is a safety hazard?
2004 F-250 KR,CC,SB,SRW,4x4,V-10,3.73
2008 Montana 3000RK
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WTTCS
freedom , U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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"When you carefully look at all the numbers in the Ford spec sheet and find the only difference between 20,000 and 17,000 towing capacity is the gear ration in the differential, how can a person say it is a safety hazard?"
I will take for granted you are speaking facts. However, how many miles would it take to wear out the rears on the 17k vs the 20K? That is where I see safety. You may be ok for the first 50-90k miles, but what about the next guy that gets it, or you keep it till everything gives up at 65 MPH coming down the 2 lane and no escape route?
Towing specs are not made up in the mens room. Gear dif affect the engine, trans, brakes, etc.
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SuperdutyII
AZ
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The 3/4 ton vs 1 ton question comes up over and over. But one has to really dig into the manufacturers specs. Generally a 1 ton will tow more than a 3/4 ton but not always. If just considering towing capacity a 2003 F250 had a higher towing capacity than a 2003 F350 Dually. But other specs need to be considered such as payload(pinload) capacity where the F350 would have much better specs. But that is much more important for a 5th wheel than a travel trailer. Now comparing the 2003 F250 to a 2003 F350 SRW configured for towing specs gets really interesting. If the Rear End ratio is the same on both trucks the only difference between the two trucks is an added leaf spring on the F350 giving it slightly more payload capacity. Other wise same engine, transmission, drive train, brakes, load range E tires, etc, etc, etc. So one has to be very careful about generalizations between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton. The devil is in the details. But..... generally a 1 ton will have better capacity(specs) ratings than a 3/4 ton but..... not always. Study the specs and sales literature in detail against your TT or 5th wheel requirements.
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steelpony5555
Copperas Cove Texas
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That is the case with Dodge, just add 2 leaf springs to a 2500 and you got your 3500. As long as you don't overload your tires or axles the 2500 is just as safe and capable as the 3500. There is nothing else on a 3500 that makes it safer then the 2500. Ya'll need to come on down and watch these boys down here haulin hay and other goods on trailers weighing more then 20,000 lbs if you want unsafe. A 10 to 14,000 lbs 5er is no problem for a properly equiped 3/4 ton truck. After that it's not if it's a 25 or a 3500 but if it's a dually.
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Earl E
Where the RV is parked (formerly OR)
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steelpony5555 wrote:That is the case with Dodge, just add 2 leaf springs to a 2500 and you got your 3500. As long as you don't overload your tires or axles the 2500 is just as safe and capable as the 3500. There is nothing else on a 3500 that makes it safer then the 2500. Ya'll need to come on down and watch these boys down here haulin hay and other goods on trailers weighing more then 20,000 lbs if you want unsafe. A 10 to 14,000 lbs 5er is no problem for a properly equiped 3/4 ton truck. After that it's not if it's a 25 or a 3500 but if it's a dually.
This is also true of my 2007 Chevy. The only difference is the springs. Nothing else. Period. Don't overload the springs or add a spring or air springs. I know others will argue with this. But there is not one item different other than the springs.
2007 Northwoods Arctic Fox 32 5S Fifth Wheel
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Sluggo54
Madison, SD
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Across the road from me, in south Texas, sits a three-axle Teton, 39' long. It came down here from Oregon on the back of a 3/4 ton truck. I think that is one combo you could look at and tell it's overweight and past capacity.
Three years ago, in north Texas, I was passed by an F150 with it's nose looking skyward. It had a NuWa Hitchhiker, Champagne Edition, in tow. He had to be pushing 75. I expected to find him up the road, in the ditch - but didn't. We both got lucky.
Sluggo
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