2003 FORD F250 towing

VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
•Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
•Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
•GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight.
•GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum allowable total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
•GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
•GCW (Gross Combined Weight):The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo) and the loaded trailer.
•GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum allowable
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer.
•Maximum Trailer Weight Rating:Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
•Maximum Trailer Weight:Maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle (including occupants and cargo) is permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
•Trailer Weight Range:Specified range of trailer weight from zero to
the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
The Safety Certification Label, located on the driver’s door pillar, lists
vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding any additional equipment,
refer to these limitations.
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Always ensure that the weight of occupants, cargo and equipment is
within the weight limitations, including both gross vehicle weight and
front and rear gross axle weight rating limits.
Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could result in
serious damage to the vehicle, loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover, and/or personal injury.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, see thePreparing to drive your vehiclesection in
this chapter.
Loaded vehicles may handle differently than unloaded vehicles.
Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and increased stopping
distance, should be taken when driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum GCWR chart (in theTrailer Towing
section in this chapter) for your type of engine and rear axle ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle without cargo. To obtain correct weights, take your
vehicle to a shipping company or an inspection station for trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded weight from the maximum GCWR in the chart.
This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. It must be
below the maximum trailer weight shown in the chart.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a Conventional/Class IV trailer or fifth wheel trailer
provided the maximum trailer weight is less than or equal to the
maximum trailer weight listed for your engine and rear axle ratio on the
following charts.
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2nd unit bodies are not included in maximum trailer weight ratings. The
weight of the additional“body”must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully prior to and after any towing operation. The
following trailer towing charts apply to vehicles equipped with gasoline
engines; for Diesel engines, refer to the Diesel supplement.
Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in
engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Refer toTransmission temperature gaugein theInstrument cluster
chapter for transmission fluid temperature information.
F-250 Regular Cab Pickup
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3537 (7800)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4217 (9300)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4807 (10600)
6.8L
(without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
6.8L (with
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 6394 (14100)
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F-350 Regular Chassis Cab Single Rear Wheel (Fifth Wheel
Towing)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3266 (7200)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3946 (8700)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4581 (10100)
4x2 with automatic transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3311 (7300)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3992 (8800)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4808 (10600)
4x4 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3084 (6800)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3765 (8300)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4400 (9700)
4x4 with automatic transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3084 (6800)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3765 (8300)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4627 (10200)
F-350 Regular Chassis Cab Dual Rear Wheel (Fifth Wheel
Towing)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3130 (6900)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3810 (8400)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4400 (9700)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 5987 (13200)
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F-350 Regular Chassis Cab Dual Rear Wheel (Fifth Wheel
Towing)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with automatic transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3175 (7000)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3856 (8500)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4672 (10300)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 6033 (13300)
4x4 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 2903 (6400)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3583 (7900)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4172 (9200)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 5759 (12700)
4x4 with automatic transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 2948 (6500)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3629 (8000)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4445 (9800)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 5806 (12800)
F-350 SuperCab Chassis Cab Single Rear Wheel (Fifth Wheel
Towing)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3130 (6900)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3810 (8400)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4400 (9700)
4x2 with automatic transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3130 (6900)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3810 (8400)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4671 (10300)
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F-350 SuperCab Chassis Cab Single Rear Wheel (Fifth Wheel
Towing)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x4 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 2903 (6400)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3583 (7900)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4218 (9300)
4x4 with automatic transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 2948 (6500)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3629 (8000)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4445 (9800)
F-350 SuperCab Chassis Cab Dual Rear Wheel (Fifth Wheel
Towing)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4264 (9400)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 5851 (12900)
4x2 with automatic transmission
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4491 (9900)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 5851 (12900)
4x4 with manual transmission
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4082 (9000)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
4x4 with automatic transmission
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4309 (9500)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
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F-350 Crew Cab Chassis Cab Single Rear Wheel (Fifth Wheel
Towing)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3039 (6700)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3719 (8200)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4309 (9500)
4x2 with automatic transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3039 (6700)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3719 (8200)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4580 (10100)
4x4 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 2812 (6200)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3493 (7700)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4128 (9100)
4x4 with automatic transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 2858 (6300)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 3538 (7800)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4354 (9600)
F-350 Crew Cab Chassis Cab Dual Rear Wheel (Fifth Wheel
Towing)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4173 (9200)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 5761 (12700)
4x2 with automatic transmission
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4400 (9700)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 5761 (12700)
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F-350 Crew Cab Chassis Cab Dual Rear Wheel (Fifth Wheel
Towing)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x4 with manual transmission
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 3946 (8700)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 5534 (12200)
4x4 with automatic transmission
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4172 (9200)
6.8L 4.30 9072 (20000) 5532 (12200)
F-450 Regular Chassis Cab Dual Rear Wheel (Fifth Wheel
Towing)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
6.8L 4.88/5.38 9979 (22000) 6577 (14500)
4x2 with automatic transmission
6.8L 4.88 10886 (24000) 7530 (16600)
6.8L 5.38 11793 (26000) 8437 (18600)
4x4 with manual transmission
6.8L 4.88/5.38 9979 (22000) 6441 (14200)
4x4 with automatic transmission
6.8L 4.88 10886 (24000) 7394 (16300)
6.8L 5.38 11793 (26000) 8301 (18300)
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