Towing and Payload Rating Guide

[WreckMTech]

8,000-10,000 pound max trailer weight, not GVWR. Though GVWR is the safest number to use as it means you can max out the trailer without overloading the truck.

But yep, that's the max using manufacturer numbers. To actually utilize the goose neck/fifth wheel towing capacity, especially in a 250, you need to be running an essentially empty truck with only a driver and pin weight. Great for tradespeople, not so much for families with an RV.

(Lots of tradespeople run 250's to maximize trailer weight without needing a CDL.)

I will add there's variability in the percentage of trailer weight as pin weight, but it's often not as simple as looking up the pin weight on the spec sheet. That's often taken by the manufacturer with a totally empty trailer - no batteries, fresh water, supplies, etc. The proportion may stay the same as the trailer is loaded up, but may not.

It's worth noting for Tremors (and only Tremors) that the 250 and 350 are mechanically identical. As such, from a mechanical standpoint you can use the payload of the 350 and jump up considerably in trailer weight.

The risk is liability. Regardless of the mechanics of the truck, the door sticker says what the truck is capable of legally. If you get into an accident and are overweight according to the sticker, that might be able to be used against you (not a lawyer). I can't point to a case where this happened, but insurance companies will do whatever they can to get out of paying for something.

I'm not personally comfortable with that liability, so I went for an F-350 to have more payload on the sticker. But each person needs to weigh that risk themselves.

What I don't understand is from the table the max 250 tow rating is 18,100 and max gcwr is 19200. Its mathmatically impossible to get to 18,100 when a payload capacity is ~2700. Something isn't making sense. Is the 2700 a limitation due to the tires?

 

[Modman]

What I don't understand is from the table the max 250 tow rating is 18,100 and max gcwr is 19200. Its mathmatically impossible to get to 18,100 when a payload capacity is ~2700. Something isn't making sense. Is the 2700 a limitation due to the tires?

On an F250 the GCWR is 30k for diesel and 24.9k for gas Tremor (26k for non-Tremor).

18100 max trailer GVW will be limited, however, by your payload:

2700lbs payload = 11200lbs max trailer weight based on 25% pin weight.

As @ccw illustrated earlier in this thread you also have to account for passengers, cargo, etc. All of this reduces the available payload for the pin weight. For matters of simplicity let's just say 700lbs of added weight in the truck (humans, cargo, etc). Now the max 5th wheel/gooseneck weight is 8000lbs (2000lbs/.25)

 

[Modman]

Something isn't making sense. Is the 2700 a limitation due to the tires?

2700lbs is simply the GVWR of the truck less the actual curb.

A diesel F250 is 10800 GVWR:

10800-8100=2700lbs

In other words, this particular truck has a curb weight of 8100lbs unloaded.

 

[ccw]

What I don't understand is from the table the max 250 tow rating is 18,100 and max gcwr is 19200. Its mathmatically impossible to get to 18,100 when a payload capacity is ~2700. Something isn't making sense. Is the 2700 a limitation due to the tires?

Towing capacity is much less directly linked to a specific truck, whereas payload capacity is specific to each truck.

The platform is capable of towing an 18,100 pound trailer if all the conditions are right, but they might not be right with your specific truck and trailer. Listed towing capacity truly is a maximum and requires optimal conditions to meet it.

Your truck, with 2700 pounds of payload, may be heavier than optimal as a result of options or other configuration choices, thus reducing payload capacity. Your trailer may have a heavier pin weight than the lightest possible due to the trailer’s design. 20-25% pin weight is a general recommendation for safe towing, not a fixed requirement. I've seen recommendation ranges on the web of 15-25% pin weight, particularly for gooseneck towing.

If we use 15% pin weight, that gives a trailer weight of 18,000 pounds. Much closer. To get to 18,100 pounds with a 150 pound driver (J2807 certified tow ratings are with a 150 pound driver), we can work backwards for the needed payload capacity: 18,100*0.15 + 150 = 2865 pounds. Much closer to your 2700 pound number, and likely possible with a lighter configuration from the factory.

As for the limiting factor for payload on a Tremor, we don’t know for sure the limiting factor for the platform in general. We do know it’s not the tires as they’re rated, in pairs, for far more than the listed GAWR’s. We also know it’s not the axles, as they’re rated (combined) for more than the maximum possible F-350 Tremor GVWR.

Since we know the F-250 is mechanically identical to the F-350, we know the GVWR is artificially lower (similar to ordering a truck with a GVWR derate) and is the limiting factor, not the mechanics of the truck.

 

[WreckMTech]

Towing capacity is much less directly linked to a specific truck, whereas payload capacity is specific to each truck.

The platform is capable of towing an 18,100 pound trailer if all the conditions are right, but they might not be right with your specific truck and trailer. Listed towing capacity truly is a maximum and requires optimal conditions to meet it.

Your truck, with 2700 pounds of payload, may be heavier than optimal as a result of options or other configuration choices, thus reducing payload capacity. Your trailer may have a heavier pin weight than the lightest possible due to the trailer’s design. 20-25% pin weight is a general recommendation for safe towing, not a fixed requirement. I've seen recommendation ranges on the web of 15-25% pin weight, particularly for gooseneck towing.

If we use 15% pin weight, that gives a trailer weight of 18,000 pounds. Much closer. To get to 18,100 pounds with a 150 pound driver (J2807 certified tow ratings are with a 150 pound driver), we can work backwards for the needed payload capacity: 18,100*0.15 + 150 = 2865 pounds. Much closer to your 2700 pound number, and likely possible with a lighter configuration from the factory.

As for the limiting factor for payload on a Tremor, we don’t know for sure the limiting factor for the platform in general. We do know it’s not the tires as they’re rated, in pairs, for far more than the listed GAWR’s. We also know it’s not the axles, as they’re rated (combined) for more than the maximum possible F-350 Tremor GVWR.

Since we know the F-250 is mechanically identical to the F-350, we know the GVWR is artificially lower (similar to ordering a truck with a GVWR derate) and is the limiting factor, not the mechanics of the truck.

Thank you! So, like was stated before its not as much of an issue as the truck can't handle it, its more of "what is my appetite for liability"

 

[ccw]

Thank you! So, like was stated before its not as much of an issue as the truck can't handle it, its more of "what is my appetite for liability"

Yep! In the case of the 250 Tremor that's exactly correct.

(I keep reiterating that part for other readers who may have a 250 non-Tremor, which likely isn't mechanically identical to a 350.)

 

[Modman]

Thank you! So, like was stated before its not as much of an issue as the truck can't handle it, its more of "what is my appetite for liability"

Legal capability begins with the GVWR which then yields an available payload. On a 250 the payload determines your towing capacity for most scenarios.

Take away the word "legal" and you can start with the F350 Tremor GVWR instead of the F250 Tremor GVWR to determine a more realistic physical capability. Since your truck curb weight doesn't change this increases your payload by the exact difference of the GVWRs...

 

[Anthonyb]

Towing capacity is much less directly linked to a specific truck, whereas payload capacity is specific to each truck.

The platform is capable of towing an 18,100 pound trailer if all the conditions are right, but they might not be right with your specific truck and trailer. Listed towing capacity truly is a maximum and requires optimal conditions to meet it.

Your truck, with 2700 pounds of payload, may be heavier than optimal as a result of options or other configuration choices, thus reducing payload capacity. Your trailer may have a heavier pin weight than the lightest possible due to the trailer’s design. 20-25% pin weight is a general recommendation for safe towing, not a fixed requirement. I've seen recommendation ranges on the web of 15-25% pin weight, particularly for gooseneck towing.

If we use 15% pin weight, that gives a trailer weight of 18,000 pounds. Much closer. To get to 18,100 pounds with a 150 pound driver (J2807 certified tow ratings are with a 150 pound driver), we can work backwards for the needed payload capacity: 18,100*0.15 + 150 = 2865 pounds. Much closer to your 2700 pound number, and likely possible with a lighter configuration from the factory.

As for the limiting factor for payload on a Tremor, we don’t know for sure the limiting factor for the platform in general. We do know it’s not the tires as they’re rated, in pairs, for far more than the listed GAWR’s. We also know it’s not the axles, as they’re rated (combined) for more than the maximum possible F-350 Tremor GVWR.

Since we know the F-250 is mechanically identical to the F-350, we know the GVWR is artificially lower (similar to ordering a truck with a GVWR derate) and is the limiting factor, not the mechanics of the truck.

Thank you for this tutorial. I just recently placed my very first new vehicle order. I opted for the F350 Lariat Ultimate Tremor order confirmation email on 4/27/23. I will be towing a momentum 320g toyhauler. My build says it's GVWR is 11499#. I just recently did a mockup build on the Costco website and this is the weight specs. Would you know if they are close.

 

[ccw]

Thank you for this tutorial. I just recently placed my very first new vehicle order. I opted for the F350 Lariat Ultimate Tremor order confirmation email on 4/27/23. I will be towing a momentum 320g toyhauler. My build says it's GVWR is 11499#. I just recently did a mockup build on the Costco website and this is the weight specs. Would you know if they are close.

Glad it was helpful!

I doubt your payload will be as high as listed in that screenshot (4485 pounds). While I’m not as familiar with the 23MY payload capacities, for context my 22MY F-350 Lariat Ultimate Tremor (with 7.3L engine) has a payload of 3600 pounds.

(The ultimate package changed a fair bit with 23MY, and I’m not intimately familiar with those changes, so I recognize this is an imperfect comparison.)

Now, it’s possible for your truck to still come in lighter than mine - lots of options that add weight outside of the Ultimate package that I may have, but you may not - but I doubt it’s 800 pounds worth.

My educated guess, but still a guess, is that you will have at most a 4000 pound payload capacity and quite possibly lower than that.

I recommend checking out the payload thread for 23MY trucks to see if someone has posted payload capacity for a build similar to yours:

2023 Super Duty Payload?

I am getting ready to order a Lariat as my dealer says no markups and about 2-4 month wait. I am torn between the 250/350. From my understanding the tremor package trucks are mechanically identical. I’ve been trying to figure out what the door sticker payload is on a 250/350 Tremor Lariat...

www.fordtremor.com

If you’re not finding a build close to yours in that thread, you can look at the original payload thread (I linked to this from the guide), but it will almost exclusively feature 20-22MY trucks. As such, you’ll need to account for some extra wiggle room as I don’t know how much payload capacities have changed with 23MY:

Tremor Payload??

1,300lbs. My 7.3 350 lariat sport with dual batteries has a payload of 3,757lbs. I appreciate you providing your numbers. I've reached out to my dealer to see if they can change it, but I'm thinking they'll say no. Since I am also getting the 7.3 lariat, based on your numbers, I should expect...

www.fordtremor.com

 

[Anthonyb]

Glad it was helpful!

I doubt your payload will be as high as listed in that screenshot (4485 pounds). While I’m not as familiar with the 23MY payload capacities, for context my 22MY F-350 Lariat Ultimate Tremor (with 7.3L engine) has a payload of 3600 pounds.

(The ultimate package changed a fair bit with 23MY, and I’m not intimately familiar with those changes, so I recognize this is an imperfect comparison.)

Now, it’s possible for your truck to still come in lighter than mine - lots of options that add weight outside of the Ultimate package that I may have, but you may not - but I doubt it’s 800 pounds worth.

My educated guess, but still a guess, is that you will have at most a 4000 pound payload capacity and quite possibly lower than that.

I recommend checking out the payload thread for 23MY trucks to see if someone has posted payload capacity for a build similar to yours:

2023 Super Duty Payload?

I am getting ready to order a Lariat as my dealer says no markups and about 2-4 month wait. I am torn between the 250/350. From my understanding the tremor package trucks are mechanically identical. I’ve been trying to figure out what the door sticker payload is on a 250/350 Tremor Lariat...

www.fordtremor.com

If you’re not finding a build close to yours in that thread, you can look at the original payload thread (I linked to this from the guide), but it will almost exclusively feature 20-22MY trucks. As such, you’ll need to account for some extra wiggle room as I don’t know how much payload capacities have changed with 23MY:

Tremor Payload??

1,300lbs. My 7.3 350 lariat sport with dual batteries has a payload of 3,757lbs. I appreciate you providing your numbers. I've reached out to my dealer to see if they can change it, but I'm thinking they'll say no. Since I am also getting the 7.3 lariat, based on your numbers, I should expect...

www.fordtremor.com

I was thinking that number is to high.

 

[Anthonyb]

I just received an update that my F350 Lariat Ultimate Tremor with 7.3L gas/4.30 rear has been built an is awaiting shipment. I went onto the owner info area(Ford Pass) and the towing calculator was available. here is the towing capacities as per ford towing calculator. my GVWR is 11499, GCVWR 28600 Payload 3909.

 

[Anthonyb]

My 23 350 Lariat Ultimate Tremor 7.3L just showed up at the dealership today
Thought I would share a few pics and payload capacity. Which is dead on with the towing calculator on the ford pass page.

 

[ccw]

My 23 350 Lariat Ultimate Tremor 7.3L just showed up at the dealership today
Thought I would share a few pics and payload capacity. Which is dead on with the towing calculator on the ford pass page.

Wow the payload capacities took a healthy jump up with 23MY. Nice, and congrats on the truck!

 

[modified]

My 23 350 Lariat Ultimate Tremor 7.3L just showed up at the dealership today
Thought I would share a few pics and payload capacity. Which is dead on with the towing calculator on the ford pass page.

Thanks for sharing! That color looks great with all the chrome.