i am from Kansas so we don't have too many hills but we do have some that are pretty decent but probably not compared to your PA or MO

 

Just because your truck can get a weight moving doesn't mean it can stop that weight - legal max towing and payload ratings take that into account. Our trucks brakes were decent enough for the day but by modern standards they're not very good; that's why our ratings are (relatively) low and new trucks have much higher ratings.

To use a graphic example, the 15" wheels most of our trucks came with from the factory won't even fit over the rotor and caliper of a new 150. The 16" wheels might just barely fit, might not.

 

What you're looking at is a 3000 (for sure) pound tractor, 1500(?) trailer, and 5000(?) truck. Sorry, I've never weighed the whole rig. I'm not going to win any races, but the truck handles it with ease. And before you start in on me, the trailer has working brakes and we put proper tongue weight on, etc etc. It's not an unsafe load. I have hauled tractors up to 4500 pounds with no issues.

 

I am guessing your truck weighs closer to 6000 and the trailer at about 2500lbs

 

You may be spot on, honestly, I don't know.

 

I doubt that truck is anywhere near 6000 pounds. My friend's '96 F-250 460 CCSB 4x4, with 31" tires, tool box filled with tools, subs, and him in it weighed 6560 pounds.

Those OBS F-150s could get very light. I believe RCSB 2wd models with the lightest engine (302?) could squeak in at around 4000 pounds.

 

Closer to 5000lbs. My 96' SCSB 4x4 5.8 auto comes in at 5240lbs with a 1/4 tank fuel in each and nothing (not even me) in it.

The legal load versus what load you're comfortable towing are usually very different, but in an accident only one matters.

 

hey guys my door tag does say 8650gvwr . ford told me today though that the gcwr is 6450.... i am confused. i could upload a picture of the door tag but i promise it says 8650 gvwr. the truck does have five leaf springs the heavy duty cooling system rear sway bar ect.... but i am confused i just want to know what it can tow and what is the payload.

 

GCWR=Gross Combined Weight Rating=Max weight of truck + trailer loaded
GVWR=Gross Vehicle Weight Rating=Max. weight of truck loaded

Something is mixed up here. 8650 GVWR is F250HD/F350. Check your VIN with this link GVW=GVWR

Truck Parts and Truck Accessories

 

Dang!, 3 horses thats 3k pounds, and the trailer itself must be 3 or 3500 pounds. Plus goin 65mph thats alot of work for a 302. im impressed and thats cause i drive a 3/4 ton 351w

 

i have never understood why people dog the 302 i have always loved them they are a good blend of power and efficiency and they have a great aftermarket too

 

Another point I was going to make about mine: there's plenty of power available if you get your RPMs up. Problem is, you can just about watch your gas gauge drop. Keep it around 2000-2500 and things are much better, but plan on downshifting on most hills.

 

Thats odd. My CCLB 460 5spd truck weighs 7200lbs
And my reg cab short bed lightning weighs 4400lbs
Both with out me in them

 

I can't imagine an extra two feet of bed and frame adding 700 pounds. I'd suspect the scale you used was a little off, or you had both tanks full of fuel.

My buddy used the scale on his base, so I assume it's kept reasonably well calibrated.

 

Local scrap yard. Weights and measures is there every month to check accuracy. I cant remember full of fuel or not But 2 fuel tanks only weighs 250lbs. I know the lightning was published as 4400lbs so I know that is right on