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My understanding is the camper package adds an overload leaf in the rear? Does this increase payload / towing capacity or just there to reduce squat?
I don't have the camper package, but I've added airlift airbags to my truck. NOT looking at paper ratings at the moment, what does that mean for the truck when compared to say a 250 with the extra leaf, or a 350? My understanding is Axles, etc are the same, but the 350 has 4 leafs (and an overload?).
Back to paper - I'm looking at a used gooseneck with a gvwr of either 12,200 or 13,600 (or somewhere in between - the plate is too faded and according to the manufacturer it's in that range based on the axles and tires)
Looks like 12,900 is the paper limit for gooseneck for my truck. So paper-wise, I may be just under the rating or just over.
You shouldn't need any helper springs or overloads with that trailer unless the axle is abnormally far back.
I am guessing it is a 3.31 axle 4x4. Some reason they rate them pretty low on gooseneck/5th wheel on the f250.
I do 15-16k in my platinum 4x4 CCSB 6.7 F250 with 3.55 gears (15,000 rated). Even with the slightly taller heavy service front springs I ordered it does ok. No camper package or anything.
yeah, horse trailers with living quarters, the axles are all the way back to stay under the horses, so it's a bit of weight up front.
Last question - How can I find the ACTUAL rating of my axle? I know the rating on the door is limited by the tires, but I've replaced my tires with higher ratings (not for towing but they just happen to have higher rating). In theory, I've gained about 400lbs to my rating because the tires were the limiting factor.
How can I find the ACTUAL rating of my axle? I know the rating on the door is limited by the tires, but I've replaced my tires with higher ratings (not for towing but they just happen to have higher rating). In theory, I've gained about 400lbs to my rating because the tires were the limiting factor.
The white driver's door jam sticker will state what it is limited to 'legally'. (Your wheels, if OEM, might be the weakest link.)
yes, but like I said, that's limited by the tires. The axle itself should be hundreds to even thousands more. (not that I would add an additional 1500lbs and think that's ok!) Since I don't have the HD tow, it seems like its a sterling axle and not a Dana?
Very True. In my case, I already have Airlift bags installed. The tires will still be the weakest link.
I was able to find the answer - the Sterling is rated to 9750lbs.
So, for anyone else who finds this later, here's the breakdown:
3.31 Sterling Axle - 9750lbs
Airlift bags (Load Lifter 5000) - 5000lbs
Tires (275/70 R18) - 3640lbs
Orig tires (275/65 R18) - 3415lbs
Wheels - 3590lbs (Added this after the post below from h20camper)
So, in my case, my rear axle rating (rawr) went up due to tires from 6340lbs to 7280lbs. (Actually 7180 due to wheel limitations listed in the post below)
Thanks for the replies - sometimes it takes working through things to get a better idea of how and why they are the way they are. I found out the HD package has a Dana axle, which is basically the f350 axle, which explains a higher rawr as well on those trucks.
Last edited by tsmithco; Sep 30, 2020 at 03:36 PM.
Reason: corrected info
I'm curious how the actual axle specification plays into this. For an F-250 the axles are spec'ed at 6000 lbs front and 6200 rear. How can they get a rear GAWR of 6340 rear?
I'm not sure about the 6,200 vs 6,340 but the same physical axle under a F350 can be listed up to 7,230. Its all about classifications. Not physical ability.
My F250 6.7 4x4 20 inch wheels is 6340 rear gawr @ 65psi.
The same axle in the 350 srw gas truck is like 72XX lbs @ 80psi.
I never really need to exceed 6340. Even if your trailer is 25% pin at 13,000 gross you probably wont be over the rear axle unless you have a lot of stuff in the truck. Probably doesn’t even need the airbags.
A lot of these “ratings” came about because of advertising!!!!! Who has the biggest woodie! There fore the rating game came mainly from consumers want some truth in advertising,