in my research, I think I have discovered that the difference between 2017 f250 and the 2017 f350 is maybe the overload springs. what are the overload springs, the leaf springs? Or is this something different? Can an overload spring be changed on a f250 to match the f350? My payload is currently 2152. I need more. I really dont want to have to buy a new truck to get more payload.. I keep reading there is NO way to increase payload. everything I am finding between the F250 and theF 350 appears to be the same, rear axle, engine, transmission, etc....

 

I think your problem would be with the as built rating that states use in licensing, and insurance. You can use the 350 springs, but the as built data won't change. If you happened to be in an accident, even if it wasn't your fault, the insurance could deny you claim if you were in an over the as built data.

 

The F-250 and F-350 could have different axles. Sterling versus Dana M275.

Your cargo capacity is very simple: GVWR - curb weight = payload

 

Don't let the weight police discourage you. Swap in 350 springs and you are good to go. Better yet buy aftermarket springs and save money. The Sterling axle is plenty stout, they were put in 350's for years. If you were in an accident, insurance companies don't check weights. They MAY not cover your vehicle but have never heard if it. Unless there is an exclusion in your policy, which I have never seen. I mean they cover accidents for DUI.....

 

I thought the dually 350s came with the Dana rear axle?

 

DRW gets the Dana M300. But I thought we were talking SRW.

 

The overload spring is a smaller spring that mounts on top of the rear leaf spring and contacts 2 brackets attached to the frame.

 

Okay so I've been corrected and informed....

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


Did a little digging...

 

Change the springs and the F250 badge to a F350 badge. That will help avoid attention.

I used to have a 19' boat with a Mercury Black Max outboard. At my altitude, it was only putting out 150 HP. But, my capacity plate said max HP 150. I ordered 150 decals for the motor, and behaved myself, and the change was invisible.

 

Up until 2017, the F250 was a derated F350 for registration purposes only. It is the same truck just different on paper to get past the more expensive commercial truck requirements of the F350 in some states. In some cases the F350 has an overload spring and a 2 inch taller block in the rear. Those are the only differences. Add overload springs to the F250 or Air Bags and now you have an F250 that can carry the same load as the F350 SRW. The issue with the F250 is it cannot weight more than 10,000 lbs if it is registered at that weight.

The DOT and insurance companies will not give a rats *** if you are over the limit on the "payload sticker" on the door jam as long as the truck is registered to carry more than 10,000 lbs and is not over 11,500 lbs. The DOT DOES care about RAWR, GCWR and Max Tire and wheel limits. These are the numbers that cannot be exceeded and are the TRUE NUMBERS that are important.

For example I have a 2016 F250 6.7 that is registered up to 15,000 lbs. I can not legally load this truck to that limit because it would exceed the 11,500 lbs of the combined front and rear axle ratings as well as the rear wheel, tire and frame ratings. However I can legally exceed the stupid 10,000 lbs GVWR sticker on the door jamb because it's registered to do so up to the capacity of the rear wheels, tires, and axles. I added air bags to my truck to help with squat while carrying heavy in the rear. Now I have an F350 that says F250 on the fender. My truck CAT scales at 8500 lbs with an aftermarket fuel tank and all the crap I have loaded in it. 10,000 - 8,500 = 1500 payload if its registered as an F250. I'm registered up to 15,000 so my limit is 11,500 - 8500 = 3000 payload.

If I'm not mistaken the 2017 and up can be optioned with the HD rear axle that "should" increase the combined axle rating above 11,500 lbs for an F250 if its registered at or above that weight limit.

 

As previously mentioned, only the high capacity tow F-250's got the beefer M275 Dana rear ends (along with a slightly higher GVW of 10,800 lbs) that the F-350's have, the standard issue F250's got the sterling. Just curious what do you need the payload for, 5th wheel pin weight, slide in camper?

 

For his year, 2017, and up through 2019MY, the high capacity tow package did not raise the GVWR. It remained at 10k. It only increased the GCW. And even though they got an upgraded axle and an extra spring (2 extra 2020+) the RearGAWR was unchanged on sticker.