• Click here to access some of the presentations made during the 2022 National Rally

Tow vehicle

Mike Fulfer

New member
Considering the purchase of a 310rl. I would pull it with a F350 super duty single rear wheel with 6.7 diesel . Specs have me concerned with the pin weight. Any input for me?
 

Lantley

Prominent Member
At 16k GVW I would prefer a dually. However I'm sure there are many towing that load with a
SRW. You have enough power the issue is payload capacity.
What year is your truck? What is the payload rating?
 

George

Well-known member
I keep a close eye on my payload but I'm still 240 lbs over my Ram's rear axle weight rating (GAWR-R = 7,000#). Pin weight is only 3,040 but I have truck payload to count (Full Aux tank, Hitch, meat,...). Hitched up my rear axle is 7,240#.
If I had a do-over I'd go with a DRW. The SRW tows our 301RL fine and 240 ain't much, but still.
BTW - We don't have a genset, washer/dryer, etc. up front.
 

Fishfnatic

Well-known member
When we bought our 310 my research led me to get dually. We are full time so towing our house I wanted the extra payload safety factor for towing. Going on 3 years towing and glad I got dually. The 310 has a lot of load on front with storage compartment,closet and under bed storage.
 

Stiletto364

Member
You are looking at a potential pin weight of between 3200 and 4000 lbs @ 16k GVWR. Depending on your specific truck build, passengers, truck cargo and how much you are going to be loading into the 310RL (your cargo capacity is around 2475 lbs I believe), it may be possible. But if it were me, I'd be going with a DRW and not an SRW here. The DRW will also give you a rear axle weight rating of ~9900lbs whereas the SRW will have a RAWR of between ~6390 and ~7230 lbs (depending on tire ratings).
Bottom line, the DRW will allow you to maintain ~ a comfortable safety margin across your weight ratings (which is what I target), especially if I am going to be spending money on a new tow vehicle.
 
Last edited:

Lantley

Prominent Member
Exceeding payload rating is not good but a few hundred pounds over maybe tolerated. However I don't believe or recommend one exceeding the axle rating at all.
The axle is structural component of the truck and should not be exceeded.
 

George

Well-known member
I don't believe or recommend one exceeding the axle rating at all.
I understand and I don't love it but what can I do other buy a new truck? We're only talking 3.4% over the rating. A friend of mine is fond of saying that engineers design in a safety factor to cover ID10T's like me. 😜
That's worst case too. I cut that back some by only filling the Aux tank with the amount of fuel I'lll need the next day. I recently removed 90 pounds of FLA batteries in favor of a 34 pound Lithium. I haven't reweighed under those two conditions.
 
Last edited:

jagibson58

Active member
We initially pulled our 2024 Paradigm 310RL with a Ford S.D. SRW. Basically it’s ok. Decided several months later to upgrade to a Ford SD DRW. The ride and pull is better.
specs:
2024
Ford SD DRW
high out diesel
4:10 rear axle
 

Flyer32RLS

Well-known member
Its funny that the Ford F250/350/450 all have the same engine, 6.7L diesel. Although in recent year of 2 the went to the HO 6.7.
Friend had a new F350 HO SD SRW and his none towing mileage suffers some from his previous F350.
Our F250 SRW drives just fine. Have had problem pulling my last 43' 5ER. Maybe if I test drove one I might change my mind and that is why I am not!! Would like to retire someday without a $100K car payment!!
Happy Glamping!!
 

Lantley

Prominent Member
Its funny that the Ford F250/350/450 all have the same engine, 6.7L diesel. Although in recent year of 2 the went to the HO 6.7.
Friend had a new F350 HO SD SRW and his none towing mileage suffers some from his previous F350.
Our F250 SRW drives just fine. Have had problem pulling my last 43' 5ER. Maybe if I test drove one I might change my mind and that is why I am not!! Would like to retire someday without a $100K car payment!!
Happy Glamping!!
That just it. Many believe they are OK. Because it's all they know.
Engine power is important but It doesn't tell the whole story. Braking, stability and overall size of the truck come into play.
Those extra wheels aren't just for show. They serve a purpose and make a difference that you only truly experience from the drivers seat!
The first time I towed with a diesel it was game changing and I quickly realized diesel performance was far superior to gas.
When I decided to get a 5th wheel I knew enough to go straight to a dually vs. limiting my RV selection using a SRW.
Once I towed with the dually, again I was able to realize the shortcomings of a SRW truck vs. a dually.
As the saying goes you don't know what you don't know!
 

Flyer32RLS

Well-known member
Lantley,
Have heard many comments that mirror yours. That is the reason I don't want to try one. Everytime I go to Ford for oil change, still under warranty but not for long, someone from sales text me wanting to buy the truck. Its paid for and really don't want another payment.
It a 2022 and just turned 66,000 miles. I baby it with care so it should last.....I hope!!
 

Lantley

Prominent Member
Lantley,
Have heard many comments that mirror yours. That is the reason I don't want to try one. Everytime I go to Ford for oil change, still under warranty but not for long, someone from sales text me wanting to buy the truck. Its paid for and really don't want another payment.
It a 2022 and just turned 66,000 miles. I baby it with care so it should last.....I hope!!
Yes there is a part of me that says you already own it might as well give it a try and see how it does.
There is also part of me that says just because you already owned it does not make it the right truck for the job.
The fact that the truck is paid is meaningless if it's overloaded.
I don't know any of your trucks towing parameters based on the 310RL. If your within your ratings or at least close OK, But if your not even close or exceeding your axle ratings you may have a tough decision to make.
I get it on the huge car payment we are all playing the same game.
However to FULLY enjoy your RV. Your towing experience must be relaxing. If you are overloaded, your towing experience will not be relaxing.
That is not to say you won't make it to your destination, But will the drive be enjoyable?
A combo that is within ALL of its parameters including a bit of margin, will produce a relaxing towing experience.
A combo that is not with all of its parameters with little to no margin will require lots of driver input and will not provide a relaxing towing experience.
If you plan to travel only a few hours from home you maybe able to deal with a less than relaxing tow, But if you plan to travel far and wide
you will want the relaxing tow experience at all times, in all conditions.
Understand the highways are already stressful, bad drivers, bad weather, bad roads are all out of your control.
But having the correct combo is something that you can control.
 
Last edited:

Midnight Rider

Prominent Member
Exceeding payload rating is not good but a few hundred pounds over maybe tolerated. However I don't believe or recommend one exceeding the axle rating at all.
The axle is structural component of the truck and should not be exceeded.
Also if you exceed your numbers by a lot and get in a wreck insurance will cry gross negligenc! They won’t pay and you are found liable because you are to heavy for the road.
 

WE3ZS

Member
Its funny that the Ford F250/350/450 all have the same engine, 6.7L diesel. Although in recent year of 2 the went to the HO 6.7.
Friend had a new F350 HO SD SRW and his none towing mileage suffers some from his previous F350.
Our F250 SRW drives just fine. Have had problem pulling my last 43' 5ER. Maybe if I test drove one I might change my mind and that is why I am not!! Would like to retire someday without a $100K car payment!!
Happy Glamping!!
You know that you don’t HAVE TO buy that $100K truck, right. ;). My ‘24 F-450 Lariat Ultimate (lots of bells and whistles) was only $78K. Yes, I could have optioned it up to over $100K but those options just worth the extra to me.
Don’t forget that your current paid for truck still has great trade in value, so that payment would be much much less than the full value of the new truck.
:)
 

Lantley

Prominent Member
You know that you don’t HAVE TO buy that $100K truck, right. ;). My ‘24 F-450 Lariat Ultimate (lots of bells and whistles) was only $78K. Yes, I could have optioned it up to over $100K but those options just worth the extra to me.
Don’t forget that your current paid for truck still has great trade in value, so that payment would be much much less than the full value of the new truck.
:)
I have to laugh at only $78K, :D. I'm sure it's an accurate figure. It's amusing to me that Detroit has got us believing that somehow a $78K pick up truck is a bargain!....Give me 2 of them...o_O...Even worse $100K has become the norm!:eek:
 
Top