Hello all,

Been reading the forums for a while now, but cannot find the specific info I am looking for...

Have myself a big new 350 SD and am trying to decode placards to figure out what exactly my limits are for payload and towing.

Is a Lariat 4x4 crew cab with short bed
Have 12.5k hitch and 11,300 GVWR

Now, that should be more than I'll ever need, but am somewhat new to playing with these types of numbers and want to make sure I am in the correct range. Where do I find curb weight of my truck, unloaded except for fuel and myself? When looking at b pillar placard, how is it determined what additional weight can be added to each specific GAWR?

 

The only way to know your true payload is to weigh your truck, and subtract that number from your GVWR.

 

Ok, that chart is helpful, thanks. Now to find a really big scale....

 

Most dumps (or transfer stations), metal recycling yards, truck stops etc have scales. Go to google and search truck scale. I'm sure there are some near you.

 

Thanks, been researching. I think a transfer station will be my best bet, don't want to **** off any of the pros out there. I appreciate your help.

 

I visit my local transfer station many times per week. Free weigh ins. They will give you a weigh in for $5. Or just poke your head in next time you dump a load

 

Nice. Looks like I have myself quite a little learning curve to deal with.

According to my tire and loading placard, I've got just shy of 2 tons of load capacity. If I only knew how much math I had to do, I might have reconsidered this venture. Not really.

Any other tips or advice for one new to loading and towing? Such as, common pitfalls and worst case scenarios? With a big truck like this, everyone seems to only be interested in seeing how far they can push it (read - my wife)

 

Learn this. Any truck can pull just about anything with wheels down the road. Stopping is something else.

Also, there is MUCH more to weight than just one rating. You have axle ratings (GRAWR and GFAWR; Gross Rear Axle Weight Rating, etc.), you have tire ratings, you have payload, conventional tow, conventional tow with weight distributing hitch, 5th wheel tow, etc.

To be legal you may never violate any of these limits.
But thats the law. Realistically these trucks can usually exceed a few of these no problem. Especially some older trucks. New trucks have much higher weight limits than older trucks. 1999-2004 trucks can handle more than their limits no problem, simply because the limits are not that high. The new trucks have very high limits so even getting to them might require some modifications to the vehicle to be safe.

What do you plan on using the truck for?

 

Well, truthfully I don't see much that I won't. Having had the truck for less than a week, I was concerned about payload carrying asphalt for a friend (turns out I was well within limits). Wife decided that pulling an RV would be a delightful lifestyle upgrade.
I only purchased the truck because I regularly pull trailers loaded with various debris, but my previous truck couldn't handle enough to make most jobs in less than three or four trips.
Plus random recreational type pulls, like car trailers. Why?

 

Well what you use the truck for changes what directions we point you.

 

catscales.com is an excellant way to find a truck stop that has certified scales for each axle.

Load up the way you normally roll and then get it on the scales.

 

I see, didn't intend to be rude, was only curious. Appreciate your time and advice.

 

Thanks, that is a handy site.

 

Depending upon the use can help but I take my GCVWR and try to stay within that.

Door cert has the axle ratings so I stay within that.

Sidewall of the tires will show max load. Stay within that.

Those are my only numbers I worry about.

 

I guess I didn't realize that specific use made so much difference, I always thought that there were only two weights to be worried about - the one the vehicle is physically carrying and the one that is being towed (tongue weight included in the latter).

I always kind of left it up to those who knew what everything meant to point me in the right direction, but now it seems that I need to be the guy who knows.

Aside from the uses listed above, I have no immediate plans for anything else and we will have to see what the wife is thinking as far as RV goes. I imagine I will be asking for more help from you fellas before long.

ATM, I'd just like to avoid common pitfalls and not push my limits quite yet. I do want to be absolute on what those are though. From what I gather so far, my next step is hitting the scale.