I'm really surprised that the new Fords w/ the 6.4 PSD weighs 8,800 pounds for a short box. By '03 comes in at 7700.
2003 F250 SD,CC,4x4,SB,AT,Lariat,6.0PSD
2006 Cedar Creek Silverback 33 LBHTS "Custom"
Member of The Cedar Creek RV Club
"Creekin' in the Summer"
"The best part of RVing and Snowmobiling is spending time with family and friends"
"Catin' in the Winter"
ACZL: So was I! But I weighed it twice, me and 3/4 tank of fuel. Surprised the H*** out of me. Everything on the truck is 1ton parts except rear spacer block and number of springs, thus I added the Firestone Ride rites but even with them it only lowers the back around an inch or so;.
I see you noticed my front axle weight didn't change, I've talk to the dealer that installed the hitch and he said that he used the custom brackets for my model of truck and as long it doesn't take away from the front weight I should be OK. He also said that because my truck is a short bed, the hitch are usually closer the rear axle then long beds. I'm no expert, but I wish it would put a little weight on the front. It seems to steer ok and now that the holes are in the bed, I'm going to live with it.
Ours adds about 250# on the front axle of our shortbed.
Retired US Army
2000 Ford F250 SD 7.3 PSD, Firestone Ride-Rite™ air springs
2007 Keystone Laredo 29RL, Doran Pressure Pro and Metal Tire Valves, 16" Michelin XPS Ribs, Dirt Devil CV950 Central Vacuum, 2000W AllPower (Honda Clone), 4000/3500W Champion C46540
I thought one of the pluses of fifth wheels was it distributes the weight better than conventional towing.
Even with my old TT and weight distrubition bars, I drove the front end down 3/4".
The fiver hitch puts the weight where it is supposed to go, in the payload area of the truck. The front end weight should not change much.
The advantage over a bumper hitch is fairly obvious, the load does not unload the front axle. The advantage over a WD hitch is the truck and trailer are free to move in pitch. IMHO, the WD hitch is a band aid solution to towing a trailer.
charlie
2006 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab
2003 Skyline Nomad 24ft Fiver
Me and Wife
Maggie the Old English Sheepdog
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