Real World Capability
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 643
Likes: 154
From: Poway, CA
You are overlooking the fact that the previous three generations of the F350 came equipped with the taller, magical rear block that made an otherwise identical truck good for an additional 1500 pounds of payload. At least the current generation gives you something real (Dana axle and an extra leaf) for the F350 upgrade.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 12
Actually, 2014, 15, and 16 250's had 4" blocks scattered here and there.
Some 250's had 4 leafs without the helper.
The 250 2" block squat was ridiculous!
The 250's came with three thick leafs, one with three thick and the overload,
and finally four thinner leafs.
Some 250's had 4 leafs without the helper.
The 250 2" block squat was ridiculous!
The 250's came with three thick leafs, one with three thick and the overload,
and finally four thinner leafs.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,146
Likes: 1,367
From: Chaz
The F150 GVWR is within a few hundred pounds of both GAWR added together.
A 10,000 GVWR F250 can pull a 16,000 lbs trailer in many configurations. That will keep you out of CDL and log book surveillance. The F250 also has more safety margin than an F150 on the rear axle weight so you can put a service body on it as a 2wd F250 isnt that heavy.
I did the math and I can max out my 14k gooseneck and stay within capacity in my F250 Platinum.
A 10,000 GVWR F250 can pull a 16,000 lbs trailer in many configurations. That will keep you out of CDL and log book surveillance. The F250 also has more safety margin than an F150 on the rear axle weight so you can put a service body on it as a 2wd F250 isnt that heavy.
I did the math and I can max out my 14k gooseneck and stay within capacity in my F250 Platinum.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
The F150 GVWR is within a few hundred pounds of both GAWR added together.
A 10,000 GVWR F250 can pull a 16,000 lbs trailer in many configurations. That will keep you out of CDL and log book surveillance. The F250 also has more safety margin than an F150 on the rear axle weight so you can put a service body on it as a 2wd F250 isnt that heavy.
I did the math and I can max out my 14k gooseneck and stay within capacity in my F250 Platinum.
A 10,000 GVWR F250 can pull a 16,000 lbs trailer in many configurations. That will keep you out of CDL and log book surveillance. The F250 also has more safety margin than an F150 on the rear axle weight so you can put a service body on it as a 2wd F250 isnt that heavy.
I did the math and I can max out my 14k gooseneck and stay within capacity in my F250 Platinum.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,336
Likes: 4,349
From: SW VA
Your logic does make sense, but not to the commisioners of revenue. Hence, the GVWR system in place. Here in VA, annual personal property taxes are discounted more than 40% if your GVWR is 10,000# or less. My F250 is capable of more (I have Torque air-bags), but my vehicle's documented pedigree states 10,000# GVWR. To exceed that is my personal gamble with the tax man.
PS - I had a big red V10 Excursion.
PS - I had a big red V10 Excursion.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 390
From: SEVA
Oddly enough, wife's 2018 Explorer Ltd said EW = 4,562, GW = (blank) and GVWR = 10,000!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 371
For safety, I see no problem loading a super duty up to the axle ratings but not more.
Legal-wise is a different issue. I see legal points of view made all the time but have never seen anyone ever cite motor vehicle code in a way I can follow their citation and read for myself. I honestly believe many folks are simply stating what they think the law should be. I've also had no success finding reference to factory weight stickers in my home state's vehicle code. If I planned on operating right at the limits I would contact the proper authorities and have them show me where to find the applicable laws because these types of laws tend to vary state to state.
Legal-wise is a different issue. I see legal points of view made all the time but have never seen anyone ever cite motor vehicle code in a way I can follow their citation and read for myself. I honestly believe many folks are simply stating what they think the law should be. I've also had no success finding reference to factory weight stickers in my home state's vehicle code. If I planned on operating right at the limits I would contact the proper authorities and have them show me where to find the applicable laws because these types of laws tend to vary state to state.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 959
Likes: 10
From: Medford, OR
My understanding from talking with DOT, is that as far as they are concerned, your GVWR is 11,940. He said as long as no components rating is exceeded, your good (exception is 20k max per axle). Your tow rating is the GCWR or the GVWR of the truck + GVWR of the trailer, whichever is greater.
They laughed when I mentioned the manufacturer's tag on the door post...
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 205
Likes: 78
That website said, "A passenger car, motorcycle, pickup truck or panel truck that has a registered gross weight of less than 7,501 lbs. Effective tax year 2016, pickup trucks registered for personal use and weighing 7,501 pounds but not in excess of 10,000 pounds may qualify for tax relief." In 2016, the upper GVWR limit was raised from 7,500# to 10,000#. When I bought my first Excursion in 2003, I asked the DMV to lower the stated GVWR (it was over 7,500#) on the reistration so I could get the tax relief. Are you saying your GVWR on your registration is over 10,000# and you get PPT relief?
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 737
Likes: 13
I understand where you're going with it. In my opinion, the airbags take some of the stress off the leaf spring hangers (where the springs attach to the frame). But just because you've spread the weight doesn't mean all the components involved can handle more. Sure, there's an engineering fudge factor involved somewhere but we don't know what it is. So trying to take that into account is like hitting a moving target.
I broke a leaf spring bracket on my prior truck thinking there was more capacity than was published. I learned my lesson there and I'll be sure to keep within the published maximums on my F-350.
I see a lot of this argument by guys with F-250's trying to justify their purchase when they could have easily moved up to an F-350 for not much more. I understand your situation the way you explained it. You're stuck with the lower capacity because of it. It's something you just have to live with now.
I broke a leaf spring bracket on my prior truck thinking there was more capacity than was published. I learned my lesson there and I'll be sure to keep within the published maximums on my F-350.
I see a lot of this argument by guys with F-250's trying to justify their purchase when they could have easily moved up to an F-350 for not much more. I understand your situation the way you explained it. You're stuck with the lower capacity because of it. It's something you just have to live with now.
Here's where I differ from the OP though. I don't try to justify going over my derated limits. Loaded up with the fiver, I'm still in the 9500 lbs range. My 'justification' comes from being comfortable being near my limits. I normally would prefer a decent safety margin. Knowing the truck's real capability is closer to 11600 lbs, means capability wise, I'm closer to a 2100 lbs safety margin, vs the 400 lb safety margin my sticker indicates.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
I ordered a 250 6.2L because I wanted the smoother ride and 3,000 lbs of available payload. The 350 was too stiff of a ride and had an inferior transmission. The PSD engine ate up too much of my payload in a 250 (came close to my F150). In my experience and for my needs, payload was the limiting factor way ahead of towing capacity.
Then again, my truck is a toy hauler and even a toy on its own. It is not a work truck. It is a fun truck and boy is it fun... 😂
Then again, my truck is a toy hauler and even a toy on its own. It is not a work truck. It is a fun truck and boy is it fun... 😂
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 837
Likes: 152
From: NE OK
Inferior transmission? Everyone I've talked to or read about, thinks the current tranny is pretty darn good.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,685
Likes: 12,807
From: Wyoming
Agreed. The 6r140 has a great track record. I would have been leery of getting the new transmission in the 3/4 ton gas Superduty.