Need some Advice Help!
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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Need some Advice Help!
So I currently have a 2010 F250 CC FX4 Lariat. I bought the truck before I ever got into camping and 5th wheels. I recently upgraded my camper to a 12,500 lb 5th wheel. I loaded it up took it to the CAT scales and found out I was under all weights except for gvwr of 10,000. Im over about 700 lbs. I thought no big deal. Then my buddy asks me, what if I ever got in an accident and someone wanted to be a ***** and did a little looking around and realized I was over my weight. Could I be liable? Also would a 350 be safer? Better brakes and suspension more payload ect.. I love my 250. However I travel with my wife and two young kids. Is having more truck 1 ton vs 3/4 ton worth it? Is it really safer? I dont mind shelling out a few bucks for the safety but I dont want to waste money on a 2011 350 if it wont be any better then my 2010 250. 10000lb gvwr vs 11500 gvwr. Any ideas?? Thanks
Again im not looking for reasons to buy a new truck. Im thinking of safety and legality of my current 250.
Again im not looking for reasons to buy a new truck. Im thinking of safety and legality of my current 250.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
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There has been much discussion at Rvnet about the slightly overweight 250/2500 series trucks. In reality, your truck has the same brakes, wheels, axles, frame and drive line as the F350. It likely has lighter rated tires but otherwise there is little difference. The debate over the liability assumed when traveling marginally overweight rages on. Technically, and likely legally, if you are overweight, you are outside the manufacturers ratings but not over your states weight laws. Your exposure to a lawsuit if you become involved in an at fault accident is real but the chances of proving it are likely in your favor. YMMV but I went to a F350 for the same reasons you are considering.
Regards
Regards
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
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Scott
I am not a weight police guy. The F250 and F350 truck running gear are mostly identical. Tire ratings are the biggest determining factor. The F250 will do almost all a F350SRW will do. Raising your license tag rating to 12000 pounds will keep you legal for your state DOT purposes. It will not raise your trucks manufacturers ratings.
There is a poster at rvnet that is a retired GM engineer. He regularly jumps into weight threads with his expertise. He has been GM's expert witness in more than one "exceeding the manufacturers ratings" litigation proceeding. His advice is to stay within the numbers...
The OP was concerned about the legal responsibility issue.
Regards
I am not a weight police guy. The F250 and F350 truck running gear are mostly identical. Tire ratings are the biggest determining factor. The F250 will do almost all a F350SRW will do. Raising your license tag rating to 12000 pounds will keep you legal for your state DOT purposes. It will not raise your trucks manufacturers ratings.
There is a poster at rvnet that is a retired GM engineer. He regularly jumps into weight threads with his expertise. He has been GM's expert witness in more than one "exceeding the manufacturers ratings" litigation proceeding. His advice is to stay within the numbers...
The OP was concerned about the legal responsibility issue.
Regards
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
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From: Frederick, MD
Scott
I am not a weight police guy. The F250 and F350 truck running gear are mostly identical. Tire ratings are the biggest determining factor. The F250 will do almost all a F350SRW will do. Raising your license tag rating to 12000 pounds will keep you legal for your state DOT purposes. It will not raise your trucks manufacturers ratings.
There is a poster at rvnet that is a retired GM engineer. He regularly jumps into weight threads with his expertise. He has been GM's expert witness in more than one "exceeding the manufacturers ratings" litigation proceeding. His advice is to stay within the numbers...
The OP was concerned about the legal responsibility issue.
Regards
I am not a weight police guy. The F250 and F350 truck running gear are mostly identical. Tire ratings are the biggest determining factor. The F250 will do almost all a F350SRW will do. Raising your license tag rating to 12000 pounds will keep you legal for your state DOT purposes. It will not raise your trucks manufacturers ratings.
There is a poster at rvnet that is a retired GM engineer. He regularly jumps into weight threads with his expertise. He has been GM's expert witness in more than one "exceeding the manufacturers ratings" litigation proceeding. His advice is to stay within the numbers...
The OP was concerned about the legal responsibility issue.
Regards
You are right on the buttom here.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: The Great State of Texas
If your truck's rating is exceeded in any parameter and you're in a accident while exceeding these limits (especially one you caused) you're rolling the dice my friend!
You're a wise man for knowing your trucks limits and how they stack up to the load your towing.
BTW...There's some people who think just because their trucks set's level or doesn't look overloaded it's acceptable.
You're a wise man for knowing your trucks limits and how they stack up to the load your towing.
BTW...There's some people who think just because their trucks set's level or doesn't look overloaded it's acceptable.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
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Why not just take your truck to a company that installs springs and up your gvwr to where you need it, they can re sticker your truck an your good to go, Fulton spring does it here in upstate NY, and then a trip to your DMV...
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Postmaster
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There are very few places that will re-rate your truck. Many spring shops will put heavier springs in but that does not change the door sticker. Most will not stick their necks out to put a higher GVW in writing. I do not blame them either.
Regards
Regards
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
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It would be and option if you have a spring shop in your area that can re sticker your truck, make some calls and check it out, cheaper then buying a new truck! If you can justify buying a new truck just for the gvwr you must really want a new 2011 F350 6.7 and I don't blame you what a truck they are!!!!
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Senior User
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Thanks for all the advice. You are missing part of the picture Ill fill you in on. My truck is Spartan tuned. Which means I have no warranty. The more I get into this 5th wheel hobby the more I want to travel farther from home. Being stuck on the road without a warranty is scary so I could kill that bird while Im at it. Having a reset button on my warranty would be great. I could return my truck to stock and pretend it was never tuned but the honest man in my wont do that, I dont think its right.
As far as my weights go the main concern is safety. I started thinking I ve got my wife 4 and 2 year old with me. Am I tempting fate by pushing the limits of my truck? Or does going to a one ton not really give me anymore capability other then the door sticker.
The spring idea is a good one. What about the axles. Are the one tons axles not rated higher then the 250?
BTW getting a 2011 would be awesome even if I have to sleep on the couch for a year. I might have to spring for the Navigation.
STM
As far as my weights go the main concern is safety. I started thinking I ve got my wife 4 and 2 year old with me. Am I tempting fate by pushing the limits of my truck? Or does going to a one ton not really give me anymore capability other then the door sticker.
The spring idea is a good one. What about the axles. Are the one tons axles not rated higher then the 250?
BTW getting a 2011 would be awesome even if I have to sleep on the couch for a year. I might have to spring for the Navigation.
STM
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,123
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From: N. Fort Worth, tx
both trucks come with oem 10 ply E rated tires.
IMO if your over your over.
as stated if you find an upfitter and have them add a leaf to the rear stack you may be able to get recertified. not sure on how that all works. but I have seen more then one f350 rated at 14.5k
IMO if your over your over.
as stated if you find an upfitter and have them add a leaf to the rear stack you may be able to get recertified. not sure on how that all works. but I have seen more then one f350 rated at 14.5k
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
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Up-fitters putting a flat bed on a former pickup might be comfortable upping the factory ratings. Most spring shops up here will add the leafs but the door sticker rating remains unchanged. There is a huge liability being assumed by any service provider who arbitrarily raises the engineered and certified weight ratings provided by the manufacturer. Without formal and professional engineering data to support any such ratings change, a rating increase puts any shop owner in a precarious legal position should something bad happen.
Sean
Has your warranty been canceled?
Regards
Sean
Has your warranty been canceled?
Regards
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Just for the record, the tires between F250 and F350 are identical; there is no up-rated tire used on F350s.
The rear GAWR on the F250 is 6,100 lbs regardless, and between 6,290-7,000 lbs on F350s depending on tires used.
Just FYI.
The rear GAWR on the F250 is 6,100 lbs regardless, and between 6,290-7,000 lbs on F350s depending on tires used.
Just FYI.