I have a 1949 F2 and I'm trying to determine the towing capacity. I have the curb weight and GVWR, but I need the GCWR to calculate the towing capacity. Does anyone have that information or know where to locate it?

 

Ford never specified a GCWR or towing capacity that anyone has ever found for these old trucks.

More reading:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1759859-permissible-trailer-load.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/861148-f-designations-and-weight-ratings.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-capacity.html

 

Thanks for the reply! That was some interesting reading in the referenced threads. My situation is even more problematic in that I'm doing a restomod on the truck. It will have power disc brakes front and rear, power rack and pinion steering, and a modern driveline with a Godzilla engine, 10R140 transmission, and a Dana 60 rear end. I'm having a receiver hitch welded in to the frame. I wanted the old rating just as a guide.

 

The definition off GVWR follows:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GVWR stands for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, and is the maximum total combined weight of the vehicle, including passengers, cargo, fuel, tongue weight (if towing) and all other items. GCWR stands for Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating. This is the maximum total combined weight of both the vehicle and trailer.

According to this, you could subtract the weight of your vehicle loaded from the GVWR and determine the towing capacity. That said, your GVWR was determined from 1949 vehicle performance based on power, brakes, gear ratio, etc. And, we like pictures if they are available.

 

I would just consider it similar to a F250,

 

Well, the SAE came out with a standard practice for determining GCWR back in 2008, and the standard is J2807. It involves a multitude of tests to the completed tow vehicle while pulling a load, so this way the GCWR and resultant tow capacity ratings between vehicles are actually comparable. I guess I could download the standard from SAE and when my truck is complete run it through the paces to see what I get. Probably a lot of work, but it might be fun too.

 

Drive train would be similar, but the suspension is definitely different from the current F250.

 

Those old frames are nowhere near as strong as a modern F-250.
If it were boxed with 3/16 plate, then I would say it would be close.

A modern F-150 with the 3.5 ecoboost, has a towing capacity close to my 2000 F-350 with a 7.3 diesel.
I doubt it would do it as long, but the ratings are not far off. Even the carrying capacity is surprisingly high for a half ton truck.

As an educated guess, I would say that it would be close to a modern F-150, if set up properly.