I have a 1984 f250 4x4 reg cab long bed 302 c6 Dana 60/ Dana 44hd

The truck has a GRVW of 10,000lbs. The truck with me, toolbox and spare weighs between 5200 and 5500 according to the scrap yard and dump scales.

We have a tandem axle car trailer for our race car. The trailer axles are rated at 3500 lbs each.

My question is legally, am I limited to 10,000lbs or 17,000lbs keeping in mind the load rating of my tires (class C)

I appreciate answers and forgive my ignorance.

John

 

Howdy John.

Did you pull that GVWR off of the plate on the truck or where did you find it?

As far as the weight on the truck goes, you're limited to whatever GVWR is on the plate / decal on the door or door post. The reason I asked about where you found the GVWR is that yours seems a little high for that particular year model of F-250.

If your GVWR is truly 10,000 from the manufacturer (Ford), and your loaded weight on the truck is 5,500, you've got 4,500 pounds of available payload left. This will include everything on the truck as well as the pin or tongue weight of the trailer you're towing. That is just the GVWR of the truck.

The GVWR of the trailer is the same and should be stamped on it somewhere unless it's a home made trailer. If the GVWR of the trailer is 7,000 pounds, that's going to be your limit on it. If you hit the scales, such as CAT scales, you can get weight for steer, drive, and trailer axles and get a better idea of how much weight you've got on each.

You may want to check on your tires as well to see what the exact load capacity of them is. I don't think a set of four "C" rated tires is going to get you to your 10,000 GVWR either. You need to look to at least load range "D" tires.

 

Thanks for a response. The registration list the GRVW of 10,000lbs.

The only reason I ask is I occasionally haul gravel with the truck for short distances (less than 15 miles)

Again forgive my ignorance but by pin weight on the trailer, doesn't the total weight take that into account or is the trailer weight not count into my 10k GRVW, or does just the pin weight (~ 10% of the loaded trailer weight) Contribute to 10,000 lb limit? Thank you again.

John

 

Your pin weight is the only part of the trailer that will count against your truck's GVWR. And the pin weight can and will vary according to the weight of the load on the trailer and the placement of said load. The weight of the loaded truck, including the pin weight will count against the GVWR of the truck.

For instance, if your truck weighs 5,500 lbs. with you and everything you have on board and you hitch up your trailer with a pin weight of 1,000 lbs., you'll have a gross weight on the truck of 6,500 pounds. If you have an actual Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,000 lbs., you'll have 3,500 lbs. of available payload still left on the truck.

Then on your trailer, you'll need to have it weighed when it's hitched to the truck to see how much difference there is between that weight and the GVWR of the trailer to determine the available payload of the trailer.

IF you were to get stopped for some reason, most states are going to weigh each axle to see how much weight each of them is carrying. Then they're going to take the total actual weight of the truck and compare it to the GVWR to see if you're over. Same thing with the trailer.

States vary when it comes to what weight they go by. I know we've got a member on here with an F-250 which has a GVWR from Ford of 10,000 lbs. He has it registered at 12,000 lbs. (If I remember correctly). However, for the most part, they are going to go by that decal on your door or door post that shows the manufacturer's GVWR.

 

Thank you very much you answered my question. Rep coming your way! What part of Virginia are you in?

 

The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is what limits trailer + truck total weight, not Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). State law may have other limits as well. GCWR is not a legal restriction, but a warranty one on a new truck, and should be heeded if you want your automatic transmission to last. Confused yet?

I think you mean GVWR when you said GRVW. 10,000lb on your registration is quite generous, since I guarantee you that Ford did not rate your F-250 that high. Look at the rating sticker in the door jamb. Its more like 8600lb. The sticker will also show what the original tires were, probably load range D.

But to answer your question, yes, only the tongue weight on the hitch counts against GVWR. Short distances on level terrain are not much of a concern.

 

I'm way down in SW VA in Wytheville near the NC, TN, and WV state lines.

Oh, and thank you for the reps too!

Great post...thanks.

 

Just some food for though...if you are going to have any signifcation loads..then E-rated tires are in order.

I also run mine at max psi. If you read the sidewall it will indicate the max load at max psi.

Trailer brake controllers...you need one if you don't have one.

Most locations make it mandatory that the trailer have its own braking system if over a certain GVWR (for the trailer only).

Besides it is just best to have that.

 

I do have a trailer brake. I looked at the door jam and it shows the GVRW at 6600lbs ( which is less the sum of the 2 axles?) But my registration is 10k. Anyone know why or heard of this?

 

Mine is registered for 12K. When registered at your DMV that is what was put down for you or whoever used to own it.

For me I specified what I wanted. For Maryland there is a self inspection to fill out and that was it.

I have it so that I am in compliance with the weight police.

 

Which weight is the weight that is legal?

 

Here is the problem, you are paying the state every year for the permission to have a 10,000lb limit. The problems may start if you get into an accident at over 6600. What if the investigation shows a failed component due to overloading? Axle loading is dynamic, so you cant just add up the two capacities, since you dont know exactly how the weight of the truck and payload is distributed every time.

Im a little surprised its 6600lb. Are you sure its not 8600lb? That is a little low for an F-250. I couldnt find an '84 spec, but an '81 F-250 4x4 was 7300lb std 8200lb max GVWR. That is not to say there wasnt a special order option that was lower, for tax reasons in certain states.

 

It's possible that his is lower due to the small engine (302 cu in). When hauling you want to stay under both the total GVWR (which you said was 6600#) and the individual axle ratings. That is to remain legal.

Now if you need to haul something really heavy a short distance, that is up to your own discretion and the condition of your tires...

 

I was recently rear ended and the insurance guys computer decoded the vin to a 351w 4bbl (which I knew) but what surprised me was it also showed a 4 speed standard trans

 

Also I looked and my tires are rated at 2850lbs each at 30psi. Max pressure is 45 psi so I assume the 35psi I normally run is a little higher?