Went to the cat scale with myself, wife and a couple hundred pounds of stuff in the back seat floor. Is the front GAWR something to be concerned about? It's under the weight, but close.

 

It is close, but I would empty your cab and get a new weight ticket before started to panic.

 

If it helps, remember that Dana Spicer rates the front axle assembly at 6,000 lbs GAWR. Ford rates it by the lowest rated component which is the coil springs. This is why trucks with the Snow Plow Prep package come with 6,000/5,990 LB front GAWRs.

Ford coils are relatively cheap at about $90 each. Takes about 1 hr to change both coils. While it wont officially change your front GAWR, it will give you the same capacity and capability up to 6,000 lbs.

 

As long as you aren't planning on adding a huge front bumper or plow, I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

Thanks for the replays but since I have the (535) package I was wondering about the front springs upgrade and why that wouldn't increase the gawr.

 

Fords computer determines what front springs a truck gets based on the options selected (cab, engine, bed length, plow or camper package, etc). Based on the options your truck has the computer selected 5,200 lb coils. Unless somehow Ford mis marked your sticker, there is nothing that can be done about it now.

I specifically purchased a new 2016 off the lot so that I could see exactly what GAWRs I would be getting. I also searched for a truck with the Plow Prep pacakge to ensure I would get the highest front GAWR (6,000 lbs). I searched 7 western states and found the truck I wanted in Utah and had it shipped to me.

The most common front GAWR on a Super Duty is 5,600 or 5,200 lbs.

 

According to the 2017 eSourceBook Specs (pages 31 & 32), 5200 lbs. is the "maximum standard springs select (front) GAWR" for your 2017 F250 CCSB 4x4 diesel configuration.

The maximum front GAWR for the CCLB version is 5600 lbs. My interpretation of the applicable spec chart is that you need to order the optional snow plow package to get the 6,000 lb. front GAWR.

Hanging a snow plow out over the front end presents a special statics challenge to the truck's suspension. Assuming the plow weighs 600 lbs., that the plow's center of mass is 40" ahead of the front axle, and the truck's wheelbase is 160", then the plow will present a +750 lb. load to the front springs and a -150 lb. load on the rear springs.

For similar reasons, I suspect you'll be OK with your slim weight margin on your front axle. Most additional weight that you load into the truck will be closer to the rear axle than to the front, so the rear axle will carry correspondingly more of the load. Weight added over the rear axle will be carried entirely by the rear axle, and weight added behind the rear axle will actually lift some off the the front axle.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

Does anyone know roughly how much weight is placed on the front axle when you use a WD hitch? I'm guessing roughly 15% of the tongue weight, but I have no factual data.

 

There are many variables that would go into this calculation.

Example.

I also found this graphic and dicussion, but the tongue weight is extreme (IMHO) and some key vehicle specs (wheelbase and rear overhang) are way different than those of our trucks, so it would need to be revised for our applications.

One thing to note is that a weight-carrying hitch reduces weight on the front axle, as the rear axle is a fulcrum. For example, if the truck's wheelbase is 160", the rear overhang (rear axle to hitch ball) is 40", and the dead-weight trailer tongue weight is 1,200 lbs., then the load on the rear axle is 1,200 lbs. x (160 + 40) / 160 = +1,5000 lbs., and the corresponding load on the front axle is 1200 - 1,500 = -300 lbs. The weight carried by the truck is +1,500 + -300 = +1,200 lbs.

A properly adjusted WDH will transfer some of the tongue weight back onto the trailer axles, which in turn will lighten the total load on the truck's axles. However, while the WDH transfers some of the load to the truck's front axle, this is after the front axle load was lightened when the trailer was first hooked up and before the spring bars were set.

For example, if you drop a 1,200 lbs. tongue weight on to the truck, the front axle load is changed by -300 lbs. If you were to then hook up the spring bars and transfer 200 lbs. back to the front axle, then the net change on the front axle load would be -300 lbs. + 200 lbs. = -100 lbs.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

Good point. Thank you Jim.

 

Hello. This is my first post, but I've been lurking for a while and really appreciate all the valuable information shared on this forum.

I was just doing the math on this front GAWR issue as well and considering adding the camper package or slow-plow package to address it (I have placed an order for my truck two weeks ago which will hopefully be accepted by Ford this coming Thursday).

Taking the base axle loads from the ford fleet document and then scaling up the loads based on my optional equipment, which was noted looking at the sticker of a similar vehicle on the lot, adds 570 lbs to the base curb weight (from fleet document) and yields an empty front axle load of 4763 lbs. Adding 800 lbs of occupants/stuff/dog in the cab leads to a front axle load of 5163 lbs. That's really close to the 5200 lb rating. Furthermore, I split these added loads 50/50 front/rear which is probably not conservative (likely more on the front). I don't really want to stiffen the front but I also don't want to be over the front GAWR when we all climb in the truck. Does anyone know the precise GAWR for the front on a F-350 SRW 160" with the camper package (falls between 5200 and 6000 somewhere but I can't find it)? Thank you.

EDIT: Finally found the answer in the fleet specs PDF (page 58). Looks like base for my F-350 is 5200 lbs, +1 step is 5600 lbs, and +2 steps is 6000 lbs.

 

The GAWR rating also varies by engine selection, drive train configuration, and other details. I assume you're asking about an F350 SRW 160" (crewcab shortbed) with a diesel, 4x4, and 18" or larger wheels.

The maximum standard spring selection for this configuration is 5,600 lbs./pair (max +1 step upgrade for the 4X4; ref Order Guide page 36). I believe this includes camper package upgrades, if any.

For example, the cert label for our F350 SRW CCSB 6.2 4x2 w/ camper package lists the front GAWR as 4400 lbs. This is the "maximum standard spring select (front) GAWR" spec for our truck configuration (ref Jan 2017 Order Guide, page 35).

My interpretation of the Order Guide is that you have to order the snow plow prep package (option code 473) on a BIG- and/or diesel 4x4 truck to get the 6K springs.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

Thank you for the additional information. You are correct, my truck is a 4x4 F-350 CCSB Lariat with 6.7L and 20" wheels (my wife wanted the wheels).

They had a similar King Ranch on the lot (F-350 4x4 CCSB 6.7L 20" wheels) and the certification sticker showed a 5200 lb front GAWR. Thus, I think I need to add the Heavy Service Front Suspension package (1 UP) to get a GAWR of 5600 lbs. I just don't want to fret about being legal but still have the best ride quality possible. We'll be pulling a travel trailer and the tongue weight will unload the front axle (I'll load the front axle back up as needed with the WDH). I'm most at-risk of being illegal when using the truck without the trailer.

Do you agree with my interpretation that the HSFS package would get me to 5600 lbs? I can't do the camper package with the 20" wheels.

Thank you again. -Steven

 

The HFSP (option code 67S) description includes the following info (Order Guide page 31; the italics are mine):To me, this says that the 5200 lb. spring set (the "standard maximum"; a typo?) is the highest you can get for your planned truck configuration (with 20" wheels; see OG page 37).

And, check this note -- especially the final sentence -- from OG page 36 (italics again mine):I wish I could find the 2017 version of this. Accordingly, it might be worth having a detailed discussion with a really knowledgeable salesman.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

I see what you mean regarding page 37. It looks like I either stay 5200 (max standard for 160WB 20" 6.7L) or go whole-hog with 6000 (snow plow). If that's the case, I'm tempted to just stay 5200 as I doubt anyone would bother to hassle me about GAWR with an F-350 that looks unloaded (weight shouldn't be an issue with the travel trailer behind). I suppose I can upgrade the front springs later if it is a real issue (hitting the bump stops). At least the tires/axle are rated for 6000. I'm reluctant to make the ride any harsher, but I may ask the dealer about it.

Thanks for your help. That was a very good catch. -Steven