2005 Ford F350 Owner Guide 3rd Printing - Page 167

Tires, Wheels and Loading Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and utility-type vehicles For important information regarding safe operation of this type of vehicle, see the Preparing to drive your vehicle section in the Driving chapter of this owner guide. 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. 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. To calculate your maximum trailer weight: for pickup trucks take curb weight, hitch hardware, and the driver's weight, and substract them from the GCWR listed for your vehice in the following chart/table given its series, engine, transmission and drive axle ration. This calculation will give you the maximum trailer weight possible for your vehicle. for chassis cabs and pickup trucks with aftermarket equipment: weigh your vehicle at a certified scale and subtract this actual curb weight, hitch hardware, and the driver's weight from the GCWR listed for your vehicle in the following chart/table given its series, engine, transmission and drive axle ratio. This calculation will give you the maximum trailer weight possible for your vehicle. The weight of all additional cargo, passengers and payload must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight calculated above. Further trailer/hitch restrictions and limitations exist depending on the type of trailer and hitch used. These additional maximum trailer weight and tongue load limitations are listed in the chart/table that follows the listing of GCWRs. Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine, transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these 167 2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA_English (fus)