I am considering buying this vehicle which has only 12,000 miles on the odometer. The only concern I have is that the Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight rating is only 10,600 lbs for pulling a fifth wheel per the Ford Towing Guide. My 29' Sprinter fifth wheel has a dry weight of 9520# and a carrying capacity of 2,840#. I am worried that the F-350 may not be able to handle pulling the fifth wheel. What do you think? Does Ford build a great deal of safety margin into their ratings?

The new Ford F-350's are rated at 14,400 lbs. I am not sure why there was such a jump in the rating in 2005. Based on what I know it didn't seem like the improvements were enough to justify such a large jump. Do you think they just derated some of the built in safety factor? I really don't want to have to buy a new truck if I can help it. We only tow about four trips a year and I only plan on putting about 12,000 miles a year on the truck.

Any experts out there really know what the 2003 F-350 is capable of?

 

I have a buddy that has a superduty 1999 F250 V-10. He pulls a 5th wheel weight dry @ around 10,000. andthat dont include the gear,wife and two kids. He pulls his in the North carolina Mountains without a problen at all.

The F350 will handle your 9500 + gear. The V-10 is more than enough motor and the F350 is plenty of beefy enough on suspension. If you have a good deal on it, I wouldn hesitate. A diesel would be nice, but the V-10 has a plenty of power. If you are mainly towing in lower grade areas, that V-10 will carry it with ease. You should get some good replies here on your question .. take care

 

You might want to ask his question over at www.rv.net also. There's a lot of people towing under similar circustances as this and they would probably be able to cover any questions you have.