Can my F-250 pull a 3500 BH?

I have a 2001 F-250, 7.3 Powerstroke, automatic, super cab, short bed, single rear wheel, 4x4. I am looking at the Big Horn 3500RL. Will the truck pull this rig safely and within it's weight limits? :confused:
 

Gary F

Well-known member
Your GVW, Gross Vehicle Weight rating is 8800 lb. I suggest that you take your truck to a local CAT Cert scale and have it weighed with items that you travel with plus a full tank of fuel.
Subtract the truck weigh from your GVW rating of 8800 lb and the difference is what your trailer pin weight could be.
Your truck has a GCW, Gross combined weight rating of 20,000 lb. This is the truck and trailer max total combined weight that you should not exceed.

I've been down this road and can tell you that your 01 F250 will be extremely over on the GVW with the 3500 BH, and real close if not over on the GCW.

My set up, 04 F350 4x4 CC with 3200 RL Bighorn puts me at 19,880 lb GCW and I have the same 20,000 lb max GCW as you do, however I am under the GVW of 9900 lb, even with the heavy crewcab and four wheel drive train.

This is my set up.

Truck
4600 lb front axle
3180 lb rear axle
--------------
7840 lb total truck weight

Truck & Trailer
4500 lb front axle
6020 lb rear axle
9360 lb trailer axle
-----------------
19,880 lb total combined truck & trailer weight

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:

cdbMidland

Past Michigan Chapter Leader
Gary, your truck GVW is 10,520 (4,500 + 6,020) and you exceed your Ford's GVRW by 620#. The hitch weight has increased from 2,290# (brochure) to 2,680# or by 390#, and this is still under the 5er's GVWR of 14,000, since the 5er weighs 12,040# (19,880 - 7,840).

Is this the empty 3200 including its options, or do you already have everything you are taking with you and empty tanks?
 
S

Scott

Guest
2500 pulling a Bighorn

I'm just going to put in my two cents. Most of our Bighorn owners are towing them with 2500 series trucks. While your particular truck may not be rated to tow that kind of weight (14,000 lbs.) there are a number of 2500 models that will. Our truck is a Chevy Silverado 2500 with a duramax diesel and it is rated for over 15,000 lbs.
FYI

ST
 

Gary F

Well-known member
cdbMidland,

Thanks for pointing out the calculation error, I was having a brain contusion at the time of writing up my reply to profirefighter :rolleyes:
My posted weights are from a old CAT ticket that included a truck bed mounted tool box that I no longer have after discovering overage on my GVW. I sold the toolbox and below is the current traveling weight of my set up.

Truck & Trailer
4500 lb front axle
5345 lb rear axle
9360 lb trailer axle
-----------------
19,205 lb total combined truck & trailer weight.

I know that 620 lbs over on the GVW is marginal at best, however I like to play by the rules, besides I was looking for an excuse to ditch the toolbox anyway.


The trailer configuration has not changed. One day I will have just the trailer on the scale to know exact pin / axle / total weight.

Heading down I 95 to M Beach in two hours from this post, will be looking for LM's and BH's along the way.
 
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