Weight Ratings
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Senior User
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From: Central Iowa
Weight Ratings
So I haven't really seen any conclusive thread anywhere about the weight ratings of these trucks.
I have a 1989 Ford F350, 4.56 gears, 7.5L high-altitude V8, E4OD, 3.5"HD rear brakes, dual rear wheels, tow package, and a Sterling 10.25. The GVWR is 10,000lbs.
The Ford dealer said I can tow up to 22,000lbs trailer weight with my setup. I polled another Ford dealer and they said the same thing.
I don't have an owners manual, but does this sound reasonable? The truck handles perfectly with that load, never has any trouble stopping, always steers good, matter of fact you can hardly tell that a trailer is behind it.
I have a 1989 Ford F350, 4.56 gears, 7.5L high-altitude V8, E4OD, 3.5"HD rear brakes, dual rear wheels, tow package, and a Sterling 10.25. The GVWR is 10,000lbs.
The Ford dealer said I can tow up to 22,000lbs trailer weight with my setup. I polled another Ford dealer and they said the same thing.
I don't have an owners manual, but does this sound reasonable? The truck handles perfectly with that load, never has any trouble stopping, always steers good, matter of fact you can hardly tell that a trailer is behind it.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Central Iowa
Thanks for the specs.
It still seems strange to me that a 1 ton truck could only tow 16,00lbs trailer weight? Not saying that the book is wrong...
Then the next question, factory ratings aside, what would seem like a reasonable load?
It still seems strange to me that a 1 ton truck could only tow 16,00lbs trailer weight? Not saying that the book is wrong...
Then the next question, factory ratings aside, what would seem like a reasonable load?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lafayette, IN
However, you're talking about a 25-year-old truck that has 25 years of rust and metal fatigue on the frame and suspension... Bottom line: it's not as sturdy as when it rolled off the assembly line.
Jason
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From: Central Iowa
For one, it's a manufacturer rating, so it's probably a bit conservative (though the cynic in me would say that they want your truck to break sooner rather than later so they can sell you another one) for liability's sake.
However, you're talking about a 25-year-old truck that has 25 years of rust and metal fatigue on the frame and suspension... Bottom line: it's not as sturdy as when it rolled off the assembly line.
Jason
However, you're talking about a 25-year-old truck that has 25 years of rust and metal fatigue on the frame and suspension... Bottom line: it's not as sturdy as when it rolled off the assembly line.
Jason
BTW the truck has the original paint on the frame, I've spent a lot of time inspecting it to see if I could find paint peeling/bubbling or rusting on the frame and have not found any yet.
As for metal fatigue, that is actually the first time I have heard that, and it is an interesting point. I suppose if it was used off-road or was flexed significantly on a regular basis it could fatigue parts to the point of being unsafe. I would assume Ford would have built in plenty of leeway to account for normal highway usage.
Compared to the truck we used before to tow, the Ford is like a dream. It's handling is exceptional, even towing overload (if you base upon the factory rating, here in Iowa we simply pay extra taxes to tow over the factory rating...).
I know of several places around here that have their ford F350's re-rated legally to tow higher loads, and if I rebuild this truck eventually I will do the same, and that does assume you accept the liability.
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I do suspect it is a bit conservative.
BTW the truck has the original paint on the frame, I've spent a lot of time inspecting it to see if I could find paint peeling/bubbling or rusting on the frame and have not found any yet.
As for metal fatigue, that is actually the first time I have heard that, and it is an interesting point. I suppose if it was used off-road or was flexed significantly on a regular basis it could fatigue parts to the point of being unsafe. I would assume Ford would have built in plenty of leeway to account for normal highway usage.
Compared to the truck we used before to tow, the Ford is like a dream. It's handling is exceptional, even towing overload (if you base upon the factory rating, here in Iowa we simply pay extra taxes to tow over the factory rating...).
I know of several places around here that have their ford F350's re-rated legally to tow higher loads, and if I rebuild this truck eventually I will do the same, and that does assume you accept the liability.
BTW the truck has the original paint on the frame, I've spent a lot of time inspecting it to see if I could find paint peeling/bubbling or rusting on the frame and have not found any yet.
As for metal fatigue, that is actually the first time I have heard that, and it is an interesting point. I suppose if it was used off-road or was flexed significantly on a regular basis it could fatigue parts to the point of being unsafe. I would assume Ford would have built in plenty of leeway to account for normal highway usage.
Compared to the truck we used before to tow, the Ford is like a dream. It's handling is exceptional, even towing overload (if you base upon the factory rating, here in Iowa we simply pay extra taxes to tow over the factory rating...).
I know of several places around here that have their ford F350's re-rated legally to tow higher loads, and if I rebuild this truck eventually I will do the same, and that does assume you accept the liability.
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From: Central Iowa
I am exempt from cdl because it is for farming. However I am going to be getting my class d1 license to ensure I am properly licensed. Theres a bunch of confusion out here in iowa around the subject of needing a cdl... For operation between farms or for farm purposes a cdl is not needed. That much is clear. Taking to dot officers they don't care about whether we have the right license or not since we aren't commercial, but they have been cracking down on light trucks more recently. But I did finally figure out that I need a class d endorsement 1 license for what I am doing so I am working on obtaining it. Until then I tow within limits for my non cdl drivers license.
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So I haven't really seen any conclusive thread anywhere about the weight ratings of these trucks.
I have a 1989 Ford F350, 4.56 gears, 7.5L high-altitude V8, E4OD, 3.5"HD rear brakes, dual rear wheels, tow package, and a Sterling 10.25. The GVWR is 10,000lbs.
The Ford dealer said I can tow up to 22,000lbs trailer weight with my setup. I polled another Ford dealer and they said the same thing.
I don't have an owners manual, but does this sound reasonable? The truck handles perfectly with that load, never has any trouble stopping, always steers good, matter of fact you can hardly tell that a trailer is behind it.
I have a 1989 Ford F350, 4.56 gears, 7.5L high-altitude V8, E4OD, 3.5"HD rear brakes, dual rear wheels, tow package, and a Sterling 10.25. The GVWR is 10,000lbs.
The Ford dealer said I can tow up to 22,000lbs trailer weight with my setup. I polled another Ford dealer and they said the same thing.
I don't have an owners manual, but does this sound reasonable? The truck handles perfectly with that load, never has any trouble stopping, always steers good, matter of fact you can hardly tell that a trailer is behind it.
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I am exempt from cdl because it is for farming. However I am going to be getting my class d1 license to ensure I am properly licensed. Theres a bunch of confusion out here in iowa around the subject of needing a cdl... For operation between farms or for farm purposes a cdl is not needed. That much is clear. Taking to dot officers they don't care about whether we have the right license or not since we aren't commercial, but they have been cracking down on light trucks more recently. But I did finally figure out that I need a class d endorsement 1 license for what I am doing so I am working on obtaining it. Until then I tow within limits for my non cdl drivers license.
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Senior User
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From: Central Iowa
Heh. if you don't mind me asking, you use a cdl or a class d?
I'm down in the SE here.
I'm down in the SE here.
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From: Central Iowa
depending on which farm I'm going to its almost 70 miles and partly on the interstate so I just have to comply..
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
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thats another thing, i usually take gravel secondary roads or low/no maintenance roads so its rare to even meet another vehicle, also gravel roads dont have weight ratings like paved roads, as i was overloaded and met a dot and he said i was fine since i was on the secondary road which happened to be a low/no maintenance road
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From: Central Iowa
thats another thing, i usually take gravel secondary roads or low/no maintenance roads so its rare to even meet another vehicle, also gravel roads dont have weight ratings like paved roads, as i was overloaded and met a dot and he said i was fine since i was on the secondary road which happened to be a low/no maintenance road
What the DOT has pretty much always said is that they are worried about commercial drivers not farmers or individuals.
I'm actually calling the DOT office now to see if I can get a straight answer on whether I need farm plates or not when towing using a class d. ill probably be I'm hold for the next hour lol.
The advantage of having a class d is that I don't have to stop at weigh stations, and I am not subject to safety inspections either but I do a pre trip anyways...
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
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From: Gilbert, PA
And your truck will not like it one bit
I think that is a BIT much for a 240hp gas truck
18k would be a better number