W/D question

[Sixty3TW4US]

WOW !! I have to ask myself, What would Wally do? Did they just hook up and go? Maby they put a ball in the hole on the bumper. Life was less complicated then. Did they even have the W/D hitches?

[mustang]

I am scratching my head at what I am finding out.

[dpandorf]

All I know is that I have about equal weight and both my truck axles with my current setup. Now all I need to do is weigh my TV without the trailer but loaded with what we travel with. Then I can make the additional adjustments to my W/D tensioning to get the ratio even better to ensure all my tires wear about the same.

[mustang]

What I have found out so far is
Chevy
1500 HD 3147 max reserve is 803
2500 HD 3468 max reserve is 1032
reserve = how much more you can transfer to the axle

Toyota
1/2 only 4000 max reserve = 300

Ford
F250 SD 6000 max.
Ford does sell different springs as they all do. I checked them all with Tow Package and Plow Package. Plow package has the greatest spring rate increase for all. I am waitting on Dodge to return my call. They did tell me that a 3/4 ton truck is rated to tow 10500.

[mustang]

Those are steering axles by the way

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by mustang

...It is pretty standard that they have all said no more than 4000 lbs on steering for half ton, BUT I want a definate answere. facts.

what they "say" is irrelevant.

each model/option package has a specific spring stack and axle rating.

the 6k FRONT axles became available in 2005 on the 250/350s with a 7k available for 450/550 series trucks.

ALL of this info is available on the fleetford website and the dealer network website.

no the 2 gawr don't equal the gvwr or the gcwr...

BUT the gawr does provide the limit for THAT axle...

again using the 05 in my driveway as an example...

front axle (gawr) is 6000 lbs.
rear axle (gawr( is 6100 lbs
but the GVWR is NOT 12,100, it's 10,000 lbs.

this spec'd truck has a gCwr of ~23,000 lbs.
and a curb wt of ~8,000 lbs...
BUT the 'towing capacity' is NOT 23k-8k=15k, one cannot simply subtract to get the towing capacity.

IF what you want are specific ratings for each component (facts), like the axles, spring stack, body/frame configuration and so on...

ALL of the details are available from the fleet ford site or at the dealer-ford websites (need a password).

the "1/2 ton" label or 3/4 ton labels are ALL misleading at this point, and a f150 can be ordered with MORE THAN a 4000 lb front axle.

but that info is clearly printed on the driver door edge as duane suggests on the 150s, 250s and ON UP...

talking with sales folks, or even service techs doesn't guarantee the info they have is right for every model detail...

but you can get that stuff, it isn't really complicated, just convoluted to find,

and has nothing to do with the o.p. specific question or w/d issues in general.

cheers
2air'

[mustang]

Dodge just called me. There front axles are 5200 lbs max 1/2 or 3/4 ton with tow package. 2 wheel drive arent rated. He said below 4000 lbs.

[mustang]

That is true to a point I think. Door decals are useless my front axle and springs are set up for 6000 lbs max because of snow plow package. My cause for wondering was I am looking at axle weights on scales from different threads and If a 1/2 ton truck has more than 4000 lbs on it, it is over loaded, in most cases. 3/4 ton truck should be fine.
I also see threads where people are towing 31 ft trailers with 1/2 ton vehicles. This would be most important in that application.

[mustang]

2 airsh I was told you cant order a 1/2 ton ford with a snow plow package. I was told you cant order a 1/2 ton chevy either that way.
I really only know what they told me.

[2airishuman]

why are u asking about snow plow packages?

that option has got NOTHING to do with towing or axle ratings.

s.p. package for the 250-550 series (option 86m?) was/is...

a 140 amp alternator, wiring, computer selected UPRATED coil springs, steering dampener and requires 4x4.

Originally Posted by mustang

Door decals are useless my front axle and springs are set up for 6000 lbs max because of snow plow package...

well tell that to the DOT or whatever agency mandates them...

the door labei IS the most accurate info because it's tied to the vin number for THAT SPECIFIC vehicle.

the snow plow package has NOTHING to do with the axle rating, but the COIL SPRING component is affected.

ALL of the 4x4s from this build series have 6k fronts axles, with coil springs ranging from 5200lbs to 7000lb on the 550s.

cheers
2air'

[mustang]

It always turns negative when someone says something that isnt what they agree with. Kinda throws onfo right out the window and makes it all cloudy. None of this meens much to me. I always go with over what I need. I simply threw out info, per dealer specs. The best way to get a higher front axle load capacity is with a snow plow package. I was also told chevy snow plow package includes oil cooler, standard, trailer tow does not/ optional. To me that is an important item.

[mustang]

By the way DOT doesnt mandate this... NTSA does FYI......

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by mustang

...mandate this...NTSA does...

why would the...

national training and simulation association care if your truck has the snow plow package?

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/i...r_Decoder.html

cheers
2air'

[mustang]

National Transportation Safety Association. Your goofin around now, you new that. The only reason I said snow plow package because you automatically get the heaviest springs/oilcooler and the trailer tow package. Just the trailer tow package doesnt give you the heavy springs or oil cooler I am told. I got mine with Snow Plow Package. I got trailer tow plus power steering and oil cooler. So did my Brother on his F350s. I just opted out of the actual plow. When I reffered to axle I assumed everyone new the components also springs ect.

[Mikethefixit]

dpandorf
I'd like to add just one thing to this conversation.THE TAIL IS ON THE SCALE. Get yourself to a CAT scale. PAYS YO Money and then U will know where U are at. Otherwise U are just guessin.
2 air will back me up I think.He will also tell ya the procedure. Its not that costly.
You are giving us number but U dont have all of them. U need both the truck alone full of fuel /then the truck and trailer hooked up and maybe even just the tongue weight and then to whole trailer dropped on the scales.
It will supprise ya. What ya need are real numbers.
Best of luck to ya
Roger

[purman]

Man, I get a headache reading this.... To many numbers My Sequoia will tow 9600 lbs and my trailer dry is 4200. It rides level and pulls great.... Thats all I need to know.
ignorance is bliss............... <<<<<<< Please no numbers my brain won't handle it...

[mustang]

[

this spec'd truck has a gCwr of ~23,000 lbs.
and a curb wt of ~8,000 lbs...
BUT the 'towing capacity' is NOT 23k-8k=15k, one cannot simply subtract to get the towing capacity.



That is what The Ford Truck guy said at Klaben Ford Trucks. I have always gone by it