Serious Thoughts About Safe Towing - G-Series Nautiques

[nyryan2001]

GC, no he is right... 8500 is the limit for a "weight carrying hitch" tow on the Super Dutys... a boat connected to the frame mounted hitch as you refer falls into the weight carrying hitch category.

Now, with that being said... I think the low ratings we see in the weight carry hitch category... are that low because the truck/SUV manufacturers assume big sway issues(not really seen with Gs on trailers) and no brakes... like you might see with a big Uhaul type trailer. Worst case scenario, electric brakes not calibrated properly etc etc.


And to GM's higher weight carrying ratings for all their trucks/SUVs... thats only because they have not adopted the SAE J2807 tow ratings like the others manf have. Give them a few more years till they comply, and they'll be like the others.

[NautiqueJeff]

I would totally agree with being sure that the hitch used does not affect the surge brakes. In fact, I am planning to get electric brakes on my trailer next year. As Ryan stated, the Equal-i-zer hitch works fine with surge brakes. That's one of the reasons I am ordering another one of those. I used it before with no issues.

As for the F-450, all I can say is read the towing guide. That's what it is rated for without weight distribution.

[NautiqueJeff]

Interesting info on the GM ratings. I wondered how they could be that much higher.

[GCSuper]

I would totally agree with being sure that the hitch used does not affect the surge brakes. In fact, I am planning to get electric brakes on my trailer next year. As Ryan stated, the Equal-i-zer hitch works fine with surge brakes. That's one of the reasons I am ordering another one of those. I used it before with no issues.

As for the F-450, all I can say is read the towing guide. That's what it is rated for without weight distribution.

So is that the payload number ( 8500 ) or the actual weight on the hitch itself, not the amount of weight being towed.

[nyryan2001]

GC no brother.... its ugly. Lets flip it the other way:

Bottom line: unless you use a weight distrbuting hitch.... or a 5th Wheel hitch.... the max you are spec'd to tow with a Super Duty is 8500lbs.

Chevy's and GM's ratings are higher because they arent use the same standards Ford, Ram, Toyota and Nissan use. Its apples and oranges.... which is why I am skeptical about it and why I wouldnt get too bent out of shape, I think that rating is for a no brakes 8500lb trailer with massive sway issues. SAE J2807 tow ratings are more stringent, terrible scenarios actually... Chevy and GMC have refused to adopt them. Ford waited 4yrs and just finally did. Its not like GM 2500s are 5000lbs more capable than a F250, not even close.

[GCSuper]

Ok I think I get what you're saying. The 8500 is the limit without any kind of WD hitch or a 5th wheel. I just retired and we've been looking at Toy Haulers so I've been crunching a lot of tow numbers. One thing for sure, a lot of people are running way over the limit. I've seen several F250's towing a trailer that we've looked at and is approx 13K dry and probably closer to 16 or more loaded. The front ends are pointing at the sky. We concluded that a one ton or more is really needed to tow most of these big toy haulers legally and safely. Dry weights are grossly misleading.

[Kenv]

GC....to take it even further in the breakdown.....There are Travel Trailer Toy Haulers and Fifth Wheel Toy Haulers. Plenty of people are pulling both...with NOT enough truck. You are correct when you say one ton or more...and I think a single wheeled one ton versus a Dually One Ton is sometimes not enough. You need the stability of those 4 wheels back there. A F250 and F350 single wheel are so close it wouldn't matter...the 350 just gives more payload. And very few towers even care about the payload since the 5th wheel plate is back there. If they are pulling a TT, then maybe a couple hundred extra pounds can go in the bed if they have the 350 over the 250. I guess it gives a slight advantage to the tongue weight to have a 350 over a 250. I think the basic thinking for Campers and boats has been....."Can it pull it...YES" Can it pull it safely....YES....until you have an accident. Can it pull it legally, based on numbers.....NO.

[sstexan]

I have something even more crazy for you all to think about. My 2013 Ford 250 Super Duty Crew Cab Platinum 4X4 with 6.7 diesel can only pull 6,000 pounds from the hitch. Yep, you heard me right. Ford switched to a larger receiver. I have a 2.5 receiver hole, so I have to use the supplied spacer so I can use a typical 2" mount. I have not been able to find a 2.5 mount anywhere. I currently use a B&W adjustable mount that is rated at 12,000 pounds. Unfortunately, my hitch is only rated at 6,000 pounds. Pretty pathetic considering the towing capacity in 5th wheel is over 20K pounds for my truck. If you see anyone towing a G with a newer Ford 250, its illegal unless they are using a weight disti hitch. My old 1/2 GMC actually was legal to tow higher loads with my current setup. Pretty funny.

[nyryan2001]

doesnt compute ^^^.

If you are saying the 2013 F250 hitch reciever... ie the 2.5" hitch reciever from the factory is only rated at 6000lbs... a WDH isnt going to increase that. Do you mean your ball mount is only rated for 6k?

[sstexan]

So here is the limitation sticker from my hitch. You will see it states it can only pull 6,000 pounds with the sleeve or adapter as they call it.

[nyryan2001]

Hahaha looky there. so a 1/2ton Chevy is more capable than a new F250? lol I say this with much sarcasm. weight capacities are all across the board depending on config and manf, its all about a manf avoiding a lawsuit, not about real capability. a sticker or a manual rating is no susbstitue for common sense. Exhhibit A ^^^^.

[beach]

I would totally agree with being sure that the hitch used does not affect the surge brakes. In fact, I am planning to get electric brakes on my trailer next year. As Ryan stated, the Equal-i-zer hitch works fine with surge brakes. That's one of the reasons I am ordering another one of those. I used it before with no issues.

As for the F-450, all I can say is read the towing guide. That's what it is rated for without weight distribution.

When you say you're ordering electric brakes, do you mean electrically actuated brakes or electric over hydraulic brakes?

[Kenv]

Ok ....let's see if I have this straight or someone please set me straight. I have a 2011 F250....so it has the 2 inch square hole on the receiver as opposed to the 2.5 mentioned. So I use NO adaptor. Receiver is rated at 8500 per the discussion and pics above...but my b&w turnover ball...with 2" and 2 5/16 balls shows online rated at 10,000 pounds GTW. So am I limited to only 8500 due to the hitch rating or can I go 10,000 per the B&W ball rating? I will be pulling a G21 so I'm not too worried....but I would be if I were pulling a G25!!!!

[chrisschweda]

The truck companies cover their butts by stating the numbers they do My f250 gets worked when I bought my G from Indianapolis I pulled it through the mountains like it was not there. I pick up a ton of feed and pull a 10,000 lb trailer at the same time an hour+ away every week with no problem. I have had a gooseneck I had to pull to a steel mill 15 miles away and when I ran across the scale truck and trailer was 38,000 not something I like to do but it did it no problem. As long as the trailer has breaks I feel ok I just take it easy. When it comes to lifting hooks the are rated to handle 3 times what the number on the hook is and I feel they do the same thing with trucks for safety measures. By the way I am not recommending overloading you vehicle I do not like to yet have had to out of necessity especially after Katrina..

[NautiqueJeff]

Ok ....let's see if I have this straight or someone please set me straight. I have a 2011 F250....so it has the 2 inch square hole on the receiver as opposed to the 2.5 mentioned. So I use NO adaptor. Receiver is rated at 8500 per the discussion and pics above...but my b&w turnover ball...with 2" and 2 5/16 balls shows online rated at 10,000 pounds GTW. So am I limited to only 8500 due to the hitch rating or can I go 10,000 per the B&W ball rating? I will be pulling a G21 so I'm not too worried....but I would be if I were pulling a G25!!!!

You should go by the lowest-rated piece of equipment in the mix. In your case, it sounds like it is the receiver.