Hi Gilles,

That 2800 lb pin weight is an estimate for an empty trailer as it leaves the factory. A better number to prepare for is 23% of the 16,800 lb GVWR . . . which would be about 3800 lb pin weight. If you look at just the rear axle capacity of the truck, you will see that you should be considering a one ton dually.

Rob

GM recommends using 15% of GVRW for travel trailers and 25% for fifth wheels. Using these number will guarantee success since folks tend to keep loading over time or even purchase a truck that is at the unladen values that is posted by the trailer manufacturer. There is an exclusive club for those folks.
GDRV should post the acceptable range from "As Delivered" to fully loaded values so folks can make an informed decision on a truck purchase. Also how the loading is placed in the rig is important where some will load in the back to lighten tongue weight. This technique could adversely affect handling. The majority of loading should be placed close to or over the trailer axles.

Jim

Good Morning Gilles.Rob and Jim have some good information. Let me add some more.

Using the 3,800 pounds of pin weight that Rob posted, lets also add in the weight of the fifth wheel hitch that typically runs 120 pounds. Then the driver and passenger weight - assume 300#. And any cargo such as generators, dogs, etc. So add another 125 pounds.

Using these numbers, you'll be placing 3,800# + 120# + 300# + 125# for a total of 4,345 pounds! This is how much weight you will be placing on your truck. In truck talk, that's called payload. Now, if you look at the door placard of your F250, you'll see a placard that looks like the one below. The number circled in red shows the maximum payload for the example placard. What is your 2020 F250 rated to haul?

If it's less than the estimated payload numbers I've calculated above, you're going to be over weight. If you're okay with the payload, then you also need to weigh the fully loaded truck and trailer and make sure you're not exceeding any of the following: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) which is the maximum the truck can weigh, Front and rear axle weight ratings (GAWR) which is the maximum weight any axle can weigh, Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR) which is the maximum the fully loaded truck and trailer can weigh in combination, and finally the maximum tire weight rating.

Will anyone pull you over and weigh you? It's not likely. The biggest concern is always can your truck safely and comfortably handle the load that it is subjected to.

Gleourdais I agree with comments above. The F250 isn't made to tow heavier 5th wheels and you will be over capacity. I have a 2020 F250 with a high capacity towing package (basically puts a 1 ton rear end on a 3/4 ton truck) and have a 3100# payload capacity. Even with the high capacity towing package I would likely be over my trucks payload capacities by 1000 pounds or more. Sorry for the bad news :(

My 2020 F350 srw has a payload capacity of 4164 pounds.

thanks for all the replies, Ted is your 350 gas or diesel, also dually or not ?
Thanks

Gleourdais, diesel, single rear wheel(srw), long box.

Look for the F350 SRW with 12,400# GVWR and you should be well within your capacities.

My F350 is rated 12,400 lbs. GVW. Ford had a recall for an error with the original 4585 lbs. payload on the pillar sticker.

Trucks tend to have the highest payload in a gas work truck for each category, F150, F250, F350 1500, 2500 and 3500 and so on. From there everything that is added, diesel, 4x4, moon roof, electric running boards, power seats, sub woofer and much more will degrade that payload limit. So for those that like the creature comforts, it may be best to move into the next higher category.

Jim

There are a few exceptions. For example the F250 has a high capacity towing package which increases the GVWR to 10,800# this option is available only with diesel engine option. Gas engine F250's have only 10,000# GVWR....which gives the diesel as much (or more) payload capacity than gas trucks (this applies to 2020-2022 models. in 2023 they have a 10,600, 11,100, 11,200 and 11,400# GVWR option for F250's with diesel engine....gas engine F250's have 10,400, 10,500 and 10,600# GVWR option available).

This is also the case with the F350. The 12,400# GVWR is only available with the diesel engine (this is only available with the 4x4 crew cab with 176" wheel base). The highest GVWR available for the gas F350 is 11,900#.

Chevy does the same thing with their 2500. With a gas engine, the highest available GVWR is 10,850#, however with a diesel an 11,550# GVWR is available. With the 3500 SRW the highest available GVWR for gas is 11,500# and the diesel has an available12,250# GVWR. However with the 3500 DRW, both gas and diesel have available 14,000# GVWR.

I noticed this trend begin with the 2020 year models with Ford and GM. Ram sticks to 10,000# GVWR for all 2500 regardless of engine option. My guess is laws may have changed to reclassify the 3/4 ton or something.

Looking into the GMC 2021 towing guide as an example the 2500 payload max for 6.6 Duramax is at 3715lb in a two wheel drive long bed. For the 2500 6.6 gas in two wheel drive long bed the payload is 3979lbs. Sometimes there are exceptions in what is marketed but the base chassis is designed to handle only so much weight. From there anything that is added to that chassis will reduce its workable payload.

https://www.gmc.com/trailering-towing/charts

Jim

I saw that with Ford as well. But, I think that is "worse case scenario" and you should really look at your door label.

For example, the below chart is for my specific truck. Notice it shows payload to be 2,518#. However my door sticker shows 3,166# which means my truck weighed 7,634# when built. It would make sense that a optioned version could weigh 650# more than mine (mine is a crew cab XL with the STX and convenience packages.

Bottom line is I think you should always look at your door sticker and use CAT scales