Howdy folks...long time reader, first time posting a question.

I've owned a 2001 Ford F-250 v10 6.8L crew cab short bed 4x4 now for about three years. The odometer just rolled over to 180k miles. We're been using the truck to tow a 1991 Fleetwood Wilderness trailer - but the wife and I wanted something smaller. So we sold the trailer and bought a truck camper...a 2001 S&S 8SC - max weight @ 2500 lbs according to the tag. The gentleman we bought it from had the camper on a Chevy half ton. The camper sits on our Ford like it wasn't even there.

I rolled the truck on to the scales the other day empty - on fumes, me out of the truck, and the F-250 weights in at 7080 lbs.

Tossed the camper on the back of the F-250 and it weights in at 10110 lbs - that's with 3/4 tank of gas + me (150 lbs).

So...Houston...we have a problem. The GVWR of the truck is 8800 lbs. We're now over by 1200 lbs and I haven't filled the water tanks, put any food in the truck - no wife, kids, dogs, etc...

Long story short...how screwed am I? You look at the cab sticker with the VIN and it says the rear axle is good to 6080 lbs - and indeed we're not pushing the leaf springs by any amount...and the front axle is good for 4400 lbs. That's 10480 pounds.

I could put the truck on a diet...take off the 16,000 lbs warn winch and brush guard in the front. Remove the previous owner's recessed 5th wheel hitch (nice 3x3 1/2 chunk of steel plate there). Take out the lumberman's jack and the two 30 foot tow chains (so I like to be prepared, shoot me...). Oh, and I guess some decent headers would probably reduce the weight, too (help me out with the wife on this one).

Thoughts?

-Mac

 

I'd just get a set of Firestone air rides with a compressor and make sure your tires are E rated and in good shape. Then add enough air pressure until you have a steady load.

 

I wouldn't loose any sleep over this issue. Just make sure tou have E rated tires or at least a 122 load rating. Enjoy the camper.

 

A set of quality headers and all new exhaust is the only solution to your problem. You spent all that money on a camper that you can't use. Get the headers/exhaust and start enjoying your camper.





You can pay me back when I am trying to sell my wife on something for my truck.

 

And since we're convincing the wife of things that need addressed, don't forget to upgrade the brakes while you're at it.

 

Any recommendations? There any good bolt on upgrades?

-Mac

 

how 'bout some cryo treated slotted rotors.

 

Chances are you won't ever get stopped and weighed but If you do expect a ticket. The F-250 and F-350 basically have the same axles. The 350 got taller rear blocks and a higher GVWR.

I'd put the truck on a diet removing the stuff you mentioned for starters. A set of airbags will take out any sag and help the truck handle less like a fully loaded log truck. Load everything up, water tanks, full tank of gas, passengers and etc and go to the scales. Weigh the front and rear axles seperatly to see what load is put on each axle.

 

Yup, get some high quality brake pads. No need for kits or bolt on things...
Raybestos or Hawk pads should be easy to find, easy to afford and easy to install.
If you still feel like you need more braking power after putting in pads then the weight is too much.

 

The big issue here is: Is this a commercially registered or passenger vehicle?

In other words, look at your registration. Is there a weight given, and if so, what is it?

Unladen, or GVWR?

If it's GVWR, you could probably go to the DMV, explain you want to raise the GVWR on your registration and they might do it, and charge you some amount of money to do so.

I remember with my highboy, I was able to write whatever I wanted on the registration application and they would take it - as long as it was reasonable, and not way too low for the type of truck it was.

It's been my experience that unless you get stopped by DOT, or a really very rabid state trooper, they don't check the door, they check the registration.

AND, you'd have to get weighed before they can even make a determination if you are overweight.

As a light truck, with a camper on it, you will never (most likely) get waved into a truck weigh station.

If you were doing something like hauling horses in a trailer, with your farm's name on the side, well, that's a different story

 

Don't forget the new "Y" pipe if you do the exhaust.

 

Removing those would be a good start. Replace the tow chains with a good quality tow strap (safer and lighter). If you have steel wheels you could replace them with aluminum (including the spare). You can also keep your water tanks empty for the trip and if you are going dry camping just fill the potable water tank at the last water source possible. Then come to Oregon for your camping, we won't check your weight!

 

I looked at the registration and there is no mention of weight at all on the vehicle. Idaho registrations are pretty basic.

And I actually run a business called Mac Daddy's Mobile Music. And we use the truck and camper occasionally to do weddings and events out and about in the western US. So we'll be towing a 5' x 10' single axle trailer emblazoned with our logo and website every now and then. It's part of why I posted this subject...we've got an event in Sun Valley in a month and I want to test everything twice to make sure we'll get there.

I've never gotten a DOT number for the business because we don't haul anything for someone else...all the equipment is for the business and essentially is a rental.

Thanks, too, everyone - for the suggestions.

-Mac