Gvwr

[henw]

Is there a kit that will boost the GVWR of a tow vehicle? I note that there are a number of lift kits and air cushions available. They talk about improving load handling and stability. No one makes a claim about increasing the load weight the vehicle can carry.
Can the leaf springs be upgraded to achieve the same purpose?

Tom

[markdoane]

I know you can buy kits that increase horsepower. And you can probably buy someting that will increase low end torque. Maybe a new motor?

Then you can swap out the axle with higher gears and heavier bearings. And then you need to put in bigger brake rotors. And heavier tires?

You could box the frame if you're good with an arc welder.

But none of that will help you when you go to court.

[Minnie's Mate]

henw, you already have an F-250 diesel, what more could you want?

There are reprogrammers available from Performance Products® – Performance Parts and Accessories. that will increase performance, but I'm not convinced that they are a good idea. I think the program from the factory is the one that the engineers at Ford have found to be the safest for the engine for long term performance and is the best balance of performance and durability.

You have to be careful using reprogrammers in that if you take your truck to a Ford dealer and they put your truck on a diagnostic computer, it will show up as out of programming and they will reprogram your computer with the factory program and that process will erase the new program you have installed...this will mean your reprogrammer will have only the factory program in it as it downloads the existing program as it uploads the reprogrammer's new program. I.e., it swaps programs with the truck's program. If you erase the one in the truck, it only has the factory program in the reprogrammer and in the truck...swapping the same one for the other.

[henw]

What I am interested in is increasing the payload from 3/4 to 1 ton. The engine power is OK. It's the suspension I want to beef up.

[ScottW]

A gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable total weight of a road vehicle or trailer that is loaded, including the weight of the vehicle itself plus fuel, passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight.
I would guess your F-250 will haul anything airstream builds. I personally do not trust the claims of after market 'load enhancers'. Just my humble opinion.

[CanoeStream]

Stiffening suspension to the 1-ton level is reported by many members to be too harsh for an Airstream. Just repeating what I hear.

[HiHoAgRV]

On some trucks it's basically a rear end swap. Get a junkyard 1 ton dually rear end and suspension then swap it out for your 3/4 ton.
Call you dentist for new fillings, it's gonna ride stiffer!

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by henw

What I am interested in is increasing the payload from 3/4 to 1 ton. The engine power is OK. It's the suspension I want to beef up.

the 2008 s 250s/350s use a LONGER leaf spring stack and different shackle points than previous years.

supposed to soften/improve ride while keeping payload up.

so junk yard or old rear suspension bits WILL NOT fit easily on the 08s

basically there are 3 differences between the 250s and srw 350s...

-the rear axle is 1-2 mm larger ( the next size up) on the 350s and this is the main payload gain...

-the spring stack has one more leaf

so it IS possible to upgrade the payload to 350 specs...

-have the dealer order a '08 rear axle and the full '08 350 spring stack which IS interchangeable with the 250s.

the 350 spring stack is about 500-600$ installed, i just checked on this 3 weeks ago.

they would not order JUST the additional leaf from ford, apparently it's only available as a complete stack from ford.

the rear axle is much more and i didn't get a price quote.

there are aftermarket options to raise the truck but they don't technically increase payload or gvwr.

i recently added one 'superlift' addtional spring stack leaf to my 250...

Add-a-Leaf Kits and Components · Superlift · www.superlift.com

not sure IF they have models for the 08s yet since the LEAFS ARE LONGER this year...

i'll report on why and what and how it performs next month.

but mark is correct NONE of this will help IF problems arise...

what is the main issue on payload? are you already exceeding it on the 250 or

would you just like the rear end to ride 'more level' when towing and loaded?

cheers
2air'

[Minnie's Mate]

Are you planning on carrying a slide-in truck camper as an in-law suite when you camp?

I carry a 1,000 lbs. golf cart in the bed of my '05 F-250 when I tow on occassion...not every trip, and I just make a minor adjustment to my hitch set up. Then when I return home I reverse the adjustment. If you need more payload than the F-250 comes with, you must be planning on hauling something pretty heavy while towing, or maybe just something mighty heavy when solo.

[gotohatteras]

If your AS is riding level with road right now, I'd leave it alone. If it is down in rear, you will make it worse by making truck a 350 rated suspension. We have 2007 F350 4X4 Crew PSD and it will haul any AS, but the lowest drop we could get on the hitch still makes AS an inch or two lower in rear than front. What you could do is add air bags to help level a little, but don't put more than 50-60 lbs of air in them...let the springs do most of the work. IMHO