In the past you were very helpful and I want to try again on a new topic. I am not mechanically inclined so do not berate me if I do not make sense. The little I know I leaned it with guys like you. I am in NJ for any referrals you may have.

I own a 2004 F350 Lariat Crew Cab 6.0 Diesel with 110K miles, bought it new, rigorous maintenance every 3 to 5K miles. I carry a 2016 Lance truck camper. My curb weights are the following as per sticker: Front Axle 5200 Lbs, Rear Axle 6830, GWR 9900, with standard tires 265/75R 16. I weighted the truck empty on a scale and this was what I got: Front Axle 4860, Rear Axle 3240, Curb Weight 8100 Lbs. With the truck camper these are the weights: Curb Weight 13300 Lbs, Rear Axle 8340, Front Axle 4960.

Understanding I was over weighted I did the following: Front and Rear Hellwig Shocks, rear Air Bags, Torklift upper loads, Vision 19,5" wheels and 245/R70 19,5 H rated tires 4950 Lbs per tire at 120 PSI. So the tires will technically hold 19800 Lbs.

But I am worried about the axles breaking (D1), and my tires already got me stuck on soft sand with the truck empty. I cannot remove the air as these are truck tires.

Then I saw the F554 Extreme https://www.grandprairieford.com/fle...54-extreme.htm which is good for any type of terrain.

And the Question is: I know I cannot change the sticker on the truck to exceed 9900 Lbs, but if I change the axles, get a 2,5" lift, get 4 Michelin 44" tires, so I could deflate them, add a central tire inflation system, will I have a "larger" piece of mind?
And the second question would be: where in NJ is a knowledgeable shop that can perform this type of upgrade. I do not want to drive to the Diesel Bros in UT.

Thanks in Advance.

 

If you're that far over your limits, you must have a very heavy camper.

As you said, no amount of modifications will correct your vehicles manufacturer limits, and won't get you out of a ticket if your state is into that kind of thing.

I honestly think most of what you're suggesting is overkill. A lift wont typically add any more load carrying capacity, but will make you more top heavy. I doubt your axles will break, but I suppose that's the risk you take.

I don't understand why you can't air down your tires in sand?

Also, you could look into 08+ spring swaps. They can be relatively bolt on, and give you extra load capacity without raising your truck up.

 

19.5" commercial tires per the OP. The sidewalls can get damaged from under-inflation. Then the tires can explode when aired back up.

That is some significant overload on the truck. Not only the rear axles are under stress, so are the springs, driveline, brakes, and probably the transmission and engine are loaded more than the manufacturer intended. I say possibly as the engine and tranny may be the same as found in a truck that can take that load.

Have you considered a dually? Assuming you can find one that can take that load. I've run my truck about a half ton over GVWR for short low-speed runs, but would not do so for a long haul. I have no way of knowing if the limits are based on safety or reliability.

 

You need a F450 with that size camper, your risking injuring yourself and others on the road or possibly worse

 

 

agree with the others.. would say its most likely time to look into a higher rated truck to start with.. while the engine and tranny can handle the load the other parts could be past their limits. I didnt see in your post if it was a SRW or DRW.. for your year the SRW Sterling rears which were 10.5" ring gears.. (pretty beefy compared to an 8" rear found under the older HD & todays lighter duty trucks) but the DRW are Dana 11.25" ring gears.. theyll take a beating for sure.. but over stressing them can cause them to fail sooner. i can tell you from experience that 11.25" ring & pinion from ford costs quite a penny to repair. (had to be special ordered from Detroit).. the downside between the 2 though is the payloads really arent that much a difference between them on the stickers.. the dually just spreads the load out better than it does on the SRW and gives a little better traction.. but most years when you look at the load specs its 1-200 lb difference. Fords payload numbers actually air on the side of caution and to try and help the owners out with the tax man.. (like they did in the early muscle car days with hp numbers.. engines would put out more than what was reported to save on the insurance)..

but like the others said if you get roadside checked the fines can get pretty hefty.. Tolls in your state will get you though with the truck.. Duallys are instant Class 2. Been awhile since last time i looked but i remember at one point anything registered with GVWR over 10,000 automatically put you in a class 5 rating with buses.. but again that may have changed since last time i looked

 

Thank you for the input, you all.
Then I have to go with a F554 Extreme, which is a F 550 modified for extra duty work (forest fires, rescue etc) with 4 wheels only instead of 6. The extra wide and large tires allows me to go off road with all that weight and a DRW can get rocks stuck between tires and rip them to shreds. Besides with a F350 DWR I am still overweight and a F450 is just even. And I am not even talking about towing a 7K boat with a 3' extension hitch.
Thank you for your input.

 

heres the Smart-A ** i saw someone make the one time when someone else mentioned that "Just change it to super singles then that problem is solved" lol... sadly those have problems of their own in bad weather conditions. but hope you can find something to better suit your needs there.