How can I increase the gvwr of my F-150 Supercab? It is at 6100 now. I would like to tow a fifth wheel camper. I travel alot. My '95 is going strong and I don't see need in investing a new truck for this. Thanks

 

Increasing the spring rate is easy enough with helpers or air bags. Just remember, you will still have 1/2 ton frame, brakes,axle, and drivetrain. I see too many 1/2 tons overworked on the road. These days, they are built for a family car and MODERATE work loads. I suggest upgrading to a heavier duty truck.

Nathan

 

Your question:

"How can I increase the gvwr of my F-150 Supercab? It is at 6100 now. I would like to tow a fifth wheel camper. I travel alot. My '95 is going strong and I don't see need in investing a new truck for this. Thanks"

The answer is you cannot increase the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. You may be able to make it sit better or haul better overloaded but the rating is established when the truck is built and it is my understanding you can't add aftermarket parts to raise that rating. GVWR and GCWR have to do with more than pulling ability - it is more important to be able to stop your rig than to make it go. Stability is a consideration as well. One other item I have recently been enlightened on is the legal aspects of an accident when you are over the manufacturer's ratings for the truck you are using. Say someone pulls out in front of you and you hit them - not your fault. Their lawyer finds you were 2,000# over the manufacturer's GVWR for your truck - could get a little sticky, eh?

Unless you are looking at a very light fifth wheel, you would probably do better getting a heavier duty truck. You did not include engine/diff/trans information so I can't really offer an opinion on what you could carry with your truck. I moved from a 1983 F150 300" inline 6 E4OD trans I was "building" for hauling to the truck below. I had a triple core radiator built for it, installed a larger fan blade, replaced the fan clutch with a heavy duty unit, installed a high flow oil pump, put on heavier tires, tried a little pulling and found pieces of piston skirt in the oil pan. Sold the '83 for $450 (was running great until the disaster) and bought the truck below. I do not regret anything except the wasted $$ on the '83.

Just my $0.02 - this may be some of that free advice that is overpriced.

You might be a redneck if your best car is a truck.

'95 Power Stroke F250 extended cab long bed 5 spd 3:55 rears 10kohm fuel pressure resistor ported intake snorkle.

 

I pulled a 24' 5th wheel a lot of miles with a '90 f150 supercab, 302, 5 spd, 4.10 gear. It weighed around 4000 lbs. The only time I felt underpowered was in big hills where it saw a lot of 3rd gear. The GCWR is what matters as long as you dont overload the toungue, and if you overload that you're probably way past GCVW anyway. Personally, if the smaller engines wont do it in a F150 you need a heavier truck.