The RVer's Open Forum

Swirve.com Links: Swirve.com Free Email Games Fantasy Sports E-Cards Movies Horoscopes Freebies Web Search

NOTICE: Beginning July 10th, 2008, this message board service will no longer be active or available for use.

The RVer's Open Forum / GENERAL RV DISCUSSIONS / Chevy vs Ford towing capacity

Bill E
User ID: 9627953 Sep 23rd 10:05 PM
I'M CONFUSED! Reading Chevy and Ford 5th wheel maximum towing capacities from their websites, Chevy claims 15,900 lbs and Ford claims only 13,300. These are the diesel ratings, 3500 and 350 respectively. Does the Chevy really outperform the Ford that much or is Chevy being optomistic and Ford being conservative? I see these huge rigs being pulled by both vehicles and am wondering if the Fords are grossly overweight and the Chevys, maybe, just a little. I would appreciate anyones help.

Bill

N_fini_T
User ID: 2616364 Sep 23rd 10:23 PM
Hi Bill,

You may want to post this question on the Ford and Chevy truck websites... don't know the Chevy site, but a really good Ford site for this question (albeit biased) is...

www.ford-trucks.com

Those folks are very honest (even in their bias), so you should get a straight answer... but you can also post same question on a Chevy site ans see what they say.

IMO, though, the capacities are not always right on... which is not to say that someone should go over the recommended maximum, since that could cost a lot of money if you're in an accident and it's shown that you ignored the recommendation.

cad_man
User ID: 1028194 Sep 24th 11:20 AM
Bill,

A lot of these towing capacities have to do with the transmision ratings. The Allison transmision will handle more GCVWR then the Ford 4 speed, hence the higher trailer towing capacity. As far as the engines and the chassis and more then likley the rear end both manufacturers will handle close to the same weight.

cad_man

Mike
User ID: 9029153 Sep 24th 8:53 PM
cad_man, your statement can be true but not in the case of Ford vs GM anymore. The 2003 introduction of the Ford 5 speed auto give the Ford tranny more capacity then the Allison...put Ford did not up their GV or GC. Go figure?

cad_man
User ID: 8632293 Sep 25th 9:57 AM
Mike, the reason I didn't metion the 5 speed from Ford, I wasn't sure which engine combination it was available with and if it is available at this time. I didn't want to go to the Ford WEB sit because I was being lazy. Also I thought the 5 speed was only going to available starting with the 2004 model year.

cad_man

AndyP
User ID: 1028194 Sep 25th 10:22 AM
Posted 9/23

Looking for a new truck. ford v10 or chev 8100 2500. the chev has higher tow rating 12,000lbs. vs fords 9600. i would think mileage would be the same. any help would be nice.

(Mod)

cad_man
User ID: 1028194 Sep 25th 10:23 AM
Posted 9/23

The biggest advantage between the 2 trucks would be more between the transmissions. If it is a truck prior to 2004 the Chevy would have the 5 speed Allison the Ford is a 4 speed. If 2004 then a 5-speed auto is available I think for the V10. The Chevy runs 30 more HP and 30 more Ft-Lb of torque. I have a 8100 with an Allison in my Motor Home, nothing stops it.

cad_man

(Mod)

Don
User ID: 9572103 Sep 26th 9:02 AM
Also look at axle ratios...the 8.1 will tow 12,000 with a 4.10 rear, only 10,500 with the 3.73. Not sure if you can get a 4.10 with the V-10, or not. Usually Ford and GM tow ratings are within a couple of lbs of each other with comparable equipment. If there is a big gap like this, there's usually an apple/orange comparison somewhere in the equation.

Bill E
User ID: 9627953 Sep 26th 9:19 PM
Thanks for all the responses. Ford has updated their trailer towing guide and now the max 5th wheel towing capacity is 12,500 lb. The Chevy and Ford are speced the same....Diesel engine, 5 speed automatic and 3.73 rear end. (no choice on gear ratios) Who knows why. If anyone is interested the Ford towing guide address is: http://www.fleet.ford.com/products/rv_trailer_towing/2003/2003_default.asp

Thanks to all,
Bill

Calvin
User ID: 1076954 Sep 29th 6:48 PM
I've come to the conclusion that tow ratings are never right no matter where they come from. It must be common sense or trial and error. I just got off the dodge.com site and saw the specs for the Dodge Durango. It said that the curb weight was just under 5000 lbs(empty with fluids) and the max, properly equipped towing capacity was 10,500 lbs. But just under that was the GCVR that stated 9200 lbs. Even I can add 10,500 and 5000 but it never works out to 9200. Must be that new math.

Bill F.
User ID: 1878484 Apr 2nd 9:01 AM
I had a 95' Ford diesel with 4.11 rear and now have a 03' with 3.73 rear. The new truck has 5 speed auto, 6.0 diesel and it far out performs the 95'. I am and have always been a Ford person, but putting that aside I would be leary of a diesel with over 20 to 1 compression that has alumium heads as does the Chev.

robert
User ID: 8868883 Aug 11th 10:28 AM
We have had 4 MH, With 454, 460, The Chev had lots of torque, But the 460 Ford had more. These MH were all Class A 's 32 ft and the Ford was 36 ft. Pulling hills, Mnts. Was done easier with the Ford, The MPG was 454 6-7 MPG, The 460 8-9 at 55-60 mph. Good ole 460's

Reverend Pete
User ID: 8882983 Oct 28th 3:17 PM
We had the exact same question when deciding on our new 5th hauler this year. I was confounded by the sight of the Fords (and even more so by the Dodges) pulling the big 5ths (Dodge's website says that they have NO trucks, diesel or gas, that will tow over 12,500 or so). We saw all of the same ratings that you did, and it seems like the FoMoCos and Mopars are pulling stuff WAY over their ratings. We ended up with the Chevy 2500HD, 8.1 liter (496 cid) gasser, Allison 5-speed and 4.10 rear end. ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!! We got the stripped regular cab with the long bed and no options other than the drivetrain, tow packages and A/C. A fella on another site did have a great thought, however. The GWVRs and CCCs of the Ford, Dodge and Chevy are all pretty close if comparing apples to apples with the drivetrain and suspension. It's only the towing capacities that are skewed way to the favor of the Chevy. He noted that you are much more likely to max out the truck's GVWR before you max out the tow rating. This seems to be especially true with 5ths as opposed to TTs. I went back and looked at his math, and he was pretty close to on-the-nose. We decided to go with the Chevy as it matches or betters the Ford and Dodge GVWRs and kills both of them in towing (althought that may become moot as the hitch weights take up a big portion of the GVWR of the truck). We'll be pulling a 36' 5th with a GVWR of 14,100 (pin wt about 2000 lb dry). Looks like we'll squeeze in under all of the truck's cargo ratings AND have a theoretical 2000 lbs of towing capacity head room.

Bill E User ID: 9627953	Sep 23rd 10:05 PM I'M CONFUSED! Reading Chevy and Ford 5th wheel maximum towing capacities from their websites, Chevy claims 15,900 lbs and Ford claims only 13,300. These are the diesel ratings, 3500 and 350 respectively. Does the Chevy really outperform the Ford that much or is Chevy being optomistic and Ford being conservative? I see these huge rigs being pulled by both vehicles and am wondering if the Fords are grossly overweight and the Chevys, maybe, just a little. I would appreciate anyones help. Bill
N_fini_T User ID: 2616364	Sep 23rd 10:23 PM Hi Bill, You may want to post this question on the Ford and Chevy truck websites... don't know the Chevy site, but a really good Ford site for this question (albeit biased) is... www.ford-trucks.com Those folks are very honest (even in their bias), so you should get a straight answer... but you can also post same question on a Chevy site ans see what they say. IMO, though, the capacities are not always right on... which is not to say that someone should go over the recommended maximum, since that could cost a lot of money if you're in an accident and it's shown that you ignored the recommendation.
cad_man User ID: 1028194	Sep 24th 11:20 AM Bill, A lot of these towing capacities have to do with the transmision ratings. The Allison transmision will handle more GCVWR then the Ford 4 speed, hence the higher trailer towing capacity. As far as the engines and the chassis and more then likley the rear end both manufacturers will handle close to the same weight. cad_man
Mike User ID: 9029153	Sep 24th 8:53 PM cad_man, your statement can be true but not in the case of Ford vs GM anymore. The 2003 introduction of the Ford 5 speed auto give the Ford tranny more capacity then the Allison...put Ford did not up their GV or GC. Go figure?
cad_man User ID: 8632293	Sep 25th 9:57 AM Mike, the reason I didn't metion the 5 speed from Ford, I wasn't sure which engine combination it was available with and if it is available at this time. I didn't want to go to the Ford WEB sit because I was being lazy. Also I thought the 5 speed was only going to available starting with the 2004 model year. cad_man
AndyP User ID: 1028194	Sep 25th 10:22 AM Posted 9/23 Looking for a new truck. ford v10 or chev 8100 2500. the chev has higher tow rating 12,000lbs. vs fords 9600. i would think mileage would be the same. any help would be nice. (Mod)
cad_man User ID: 1028194	Sep 25th 10:23 AM Posted 9/23 The biggest advantage between the 2 trucks would be more between the transmissions. If it is a truck prior to 2004 the Chevy would have the 5 speed Allison the Ford is a 4 speed. If 2004 then a 5-speed auto is available I think for the V10. The Chevy runs 30 more HP and 30 more Ft-Lb of torque. I have a 8100 with an Allison in my Motor Home, nothing stops it. cad_man (Mod)
Don User ID: 9572103	Sep 26th 9:02 AM Also look at axle ratios...the 8.1 will tow 12,000 with a 4.10 rear, only 10,500 with the 3.73. Not sure if you can get a 4.10 with the V-10, or not. Usually Ford and GM tow ratings are within a couple of lbs of each other with comparable equipment. If there is a big gap like this, there's usually an apple/orange comparison somewhere in the equation.
Bill E User ID: 9627953	Sep 26th 9:19 PM Thanks for all the responses. Ford has updated their trailer towing guide and now the max 5th wheel towing capacity is 12,500 lb. The Chevy and Ford are speced the same....Diesel engine, 5 speed automatic and 3.73 rear end. (no choice on gear ratios) Who knows why. If anyone is interested the Ford towing guide address is: http://www.fleet.ford.com/products/rv_trailer_towing/2003/2003_default.asp Thanks to all, Bill
Calvin User ID: 1076954	Sep 29th 6:48 PM I've come to the conclusion that tow ratings are never right no matter where they come from. It must be common sense or trial and error. I just got off the dodge.com site and saw the specs for the Dodge Durango. It said that the curb weight was just under 5000 lbs(empty with fluids) and the max, properly equipped towing capacity was 10,500 lbs. But just under that was the GCVR that stated 9200 lbs. Even I can add 10,500 and 5000 but it never works out to 9200. Must be that new math.
Bill F. User ID: 1878484	Apr 2nd 9:01 AM I had a 95' Ford diesel with 4.11 rear and now have a 03' with 3.73 rear. The new truck has 5 speed auto, 6.0 diesel and it far out performs the 95'. I am and have always been a Ford person, but putting that aside I would be leary of a diesel with over 20 to 1 compression that has alumium heads as does the Chev.
robert User ID: 8868883	Aug 11th 10:28 AM We have had 4 MH, With 454, 460, The Chev had lots of torque, But the 460 Ford had more. These MH were all Class A 's 32 ft and the Ford was 36 ft. Pulling hills, Mnts. Was done easier with the Ford, The MPG was 454 6-7 MPG, The 460 8-9 at 55-60 mph. Good ole 460's
Reverend Pete User ID: 8882983	Oct 28th 3:17 PM We had the exact same question when deciding on our new 5th hauler this year. I was confounded by the sight of the Fords (and even more so by the Dodges) pulling the big 5ths (Dodge's website says that they have NO trucks, diesel or gas, that will tow over 12,500 or so). We saw all of the same ratings that you did, and it seems like the FoMoCos and Mopars are pulling stuff WAY over their ratings. We ended up with the Chevy 2500HD, 8.1 liter (496 cid) gasser, Allison 5-speed and 4.10 rear end. ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!! We got the stripped regular cab with the long bed and no options other than the drivetrain, tow packages and A/C. A fella on another site did have a great thought, however. The GWVRs and CCCs of the Ford, Dodge and Chevy are all pretty close if comparing apples to apples with the drivetrain and suspension. It's only the towing capacities that are skewed way to the favor of the Chevy. He noted that you are much more likely to max out the truck's GVWR before you max out the tow rating. This seems to be especially true with 5ths as opposed to TTs. I went back and looked at his math, and he was pretty close to on-the-nose. We decided to go with the Chevy as it matches or betters the Ford and Dodge GVWRs and kills both of them in towing (althought that may become moot as the hitch weights take up a big portion of the GVWR of the truck). We'll be pulling a 36' 5th with a GVWR of 14,100 (pin wt about 2000 lb dry). Looks like we'll squeeze in under all of the truck's cargo ratings AND have a theoretical 2000 lbs of towing capacity head room.