Increasing GVWR/GCWR
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Helmville MT
Increasing GVWR/GCWR
What does it take to increase the GVWR and GCWR of a 2000 F350 PSD SC LB SRW? I need to get it from 20k up to about 23k and able to handle a pin weight of a 5th wheel trailer at about 3200 lbs.
Do I need to change things like SRW to DRW, change drive ratio from 3.73 to 4.10 and maybe add beefed up springs? How about the 4R100 tranny - would it handle it?
Anyone BTDTand have a cost estimate?
--mike
Do I need to change things like SRW to DRW, change drive ratio from 3.73 to 4.10 and maybe add beefed up springs? How about the 4R100 tranny - would it handle it?
Anyone BTDTand have a cost estimate?
--mike
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Hagerstown, MD
As far as the tranny goes, I would definitely add a 6.0 cooler and an external filter. As well as keeping clean ATF in there every 25-40k.
As far as suspension goes, no where near my area of expertise. At those weights, frame strength could come into question, don't know.
As far as suspension goes, no where near my area of expertise. At those weights, frame strength could come into question, don't know.
Got Data?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,287
Likes: 1,416
From: Lake Stevens, WA
Some good threads over at rv.net on this. I decided to stay under the 20K GCWR due to the brakes, but I did some upgrades to the rear suspension to handle a heavy camper and tow a boat, so I exceeded the GAWR for the rear axle and the GWVR of the truck itself.
The F350 has some good upper and lower overload springs that you can engage early with a product like Torklift's stableloads to gain a lot of capacity. Airbags can add even more. The rear axle itself is capable of 9750lbs based on my research, but limited by the stock tires. I upgraded the tires/wheels to 19.5" commercial (Toyo M143) to get up to 9610lbs on the rear. I go over that slightly with the Host camper and the boat in tow. Good shocks round out the package.
The F350 has some good upper and lower overload springs that you can engage early with a product like Torklift's stableloads to gain a lot of capacity. Airbags can add even more. The rear axle itself is capable of 9750lbs based on my research, but limited by the stock tires. I upgraded the tires/wheels to 19.5" commercial (Toyo M143) to get up to 9610lbs on the rear. I go over that slightly with the Host camper and the boat in tow. Good shocks round out the package.
Got Data?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,287
Likes: 1,416
From: Lake Stevens, WA
I also registered the higher GVWR at the DOL. In Washington, you can pay for a higher weight. My registration already showed 12K. I upped it to 14K, which is about where the truck sits with the camper on.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Helmville MT
--mike
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Helmville MT
I'll check out the threads on rv.net - what did all those extras cost if I can ask?
--mike
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 28
From: Mesa AZ
Like the others have said...there isn't anything you can do to increase the GCVWR and GVWR ratings....those figures are set in stone at the factory.
That being said, I tow a fiver that weighs over 16k lbs with my SRW truck on a regulsr basis. Been doing it for about 8 years. Our brakes are undersized for that sort of weight so you need to keep your speed down and drive sensibly.
Get a good trailer brake controller such as the Prodigy P3 or similar and learn how to adjust it.
Make sure your tires are rated for 3415 lbs or higher and run the max pressure according to the sidewall.
A 6.0 trans cooler would be a good idea and might help your trans last longer however I think its likely the trans won't like towing that much weight and a rebuild will be in your future sooner than later.
You are going to need air bags. Having an on board compressor with in cab controls will make your drive much more pleasant since you can adjust the pressure as road conditions change.
In the luxury but not absolutely necessary category....
Helwig rear sway bar
Exhaust brake
C-betr mirrors
Happy towing.
That being said, I tow a fiver that weighs over 16k lbs with my SRW truck on a regulsr basis. Been doing it for about 8 years. Our brakes are undersized for that sort of weight so you need to keep your speed down and drive sensibly.
Get a good trailer brake controller such as the Prodigy P3 or similar and learn how to adjust it.
Make sure your tires are rated for 3415 lbs or higher and run the max pressure according to the sidewall.
A 6.0 trans cooler would be a good idea and might help your trans last longer however I think its likely the trans won't like towing that much weight and a rebuild will be in your future sooner than later.
You are going to need air bags. Having an on board compressor with in cab controls will make your drive much more pleasant since you can adjust the pressure as road conditions change.
In the luxury but not absolutely necessary category....
Helwig rear sway bar
Exhaust brake
C-betr mirrors
Happy towing.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Helmville MT
That being said, I tow a fiver that weighs over 16k lbs with my SRW truck on a regulsr basis. Been doing it for about 8 years. Our brakes are undersized for that sort of weight so you need to keep your speed down and drive sensibly.
Get a good trailer brake controller such as the Prodigy P3 or similar and learn how to adjust it.
Make sure your tires are rated for 3415 lbs or higher and run the max pressure according to the sidewall.
A 6.0 trans cooler would be a good idea and might help your trans last longer however I think its likely the trans won't like towing that much weight and a rebuild will be in your future sooner than later.
You are going to need air bags. Having an on board compressor with in cab controls will make your drive much more pleasant since you can adjust the pressure as road conditions change.
In the luxury but not absolutely necessary category....
Helwig rear sway bar
Exhaust brake
C-betr mirrors
Happy towing.
The truck is at 180k miles now and the tranny is still super smooth, even when towing about 7500 lbs. Agree it is the weak spot.
Air bags are a good idea. Maybe some higher rated tires (G's).
So far, no one has given me a cost to "upgrade".
--mike
Got Data?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,287
Likes: 1,416
From: Lake Stevens, WA
Ok costs:
Toyo 245/70R19.5/14 M-143 H-rated $401.13 each mt/balanced/installed
Vision 19.5 x 6.75 alum wheels $287.23 each
Stableloads (upper bump stops and lower wedges) $600 installed
RS9000 shocks all around $90 ea
Toyo 245/70R19.5/14 M-143 H-rated $401.13 each mt/balanced/installed
Vision 19.5 x 6.75 alum wheels $287.23 each
Stableloads (upper bump stops and lower wedges) $600 installed
RS9000 shocks all around $90 ea
Got Data?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,287
Likes: 1,416
From: Lake Stevens, WA
That's good to know. I'll have to check that out...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rafterjf250
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jul 7, 2001 10:34 AM