How much can I tow?

[rlyons]

Does anyone know if I could safely tow a 1996 King of the Road fifthwheel double slide with my 92 D250 5 speed? The owner doesn't know the trailer weight but the gross weight rating is 15,800 lbs. On the NADA site it sayes it should weigh 11,700 from the factory but of course that is without any load or extras. My owner's manuel said I can tow a max trailer weight of 16,000 lbs. I just wondered if anyone has any real world expierence with towing a trailer of this size with my truck. I have plenty of power to handle the load but just am a little concerned about handling. My current trailer is 7,000 lbs dry weight. I posted this in the towing forum but thought people here might have a better idea about the 1st Gens.

 

["Mad Max"]

Well, I towed my car hauler 1500 miles, and I had a combined gross weight of just over 18,000 lbs. The trailer weighed in at around 11,000 lbs gross - it was maxed out. I was pretty ginger with the transmission, but the rig could care less. I think if you go easy on 4th and 5th gears, and be sure never to lug the transmission iat low rpm, I think you'd be fine.

Here's how big it was:



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Hope that helps.



- Max

 

[RHancock]

Now I have a w250 but same deal. . bumber pull car hauler with a gross of over 19,000 pounds truck and trailer Texas to Califorina-- 2k plus miles no problem. weight broke out this way, 3500 front ax, 6200 rear, and 9300 on the trailer. I have seen several setups like you are talking about on the road where the trailer gross' over 15000 plus the truck. . and they seem to have no problems. . as Sam said I wouldn't lug the trans, and make sure you have a good radiator and fan clutch if you are going in the mountains... Also depending on how many miles you have on your truck may want to have the Getrag and Dana checked out before going a long way... . otherwise just watch the pyro in the mountains and wave when you go past the duramax's and Powerjokes on grades... cummins torque is great. .



BTW nice trailer max... .

 

[rlyons]

Thanks for the replies, I just had the Getrag rebuilt and have a new LUK clutch and pressure plate. I've never had any problems with cooling with my present trailer even in the mountians and I tend to over maintain my truck with antifreeze changes, oil changes, differential fluid changes and so on. I think the old girl can do it.