2002 F250, SC, 5.4, 4x4 OffRoad, Plow package, 3.73's.

In my manual, shows max towing at 7300. The sticker in the door says 8800. This is what I looked at when deciding to get this particular truck (sticker). What am I missing here?

 

Hi Okie

Unless door sticker has changed...i think maybe you are looking at what the GVWR....gross vehicle weight rating...is. Thats the wt. of truck, gas, passengers etc + what ever is in bed...to be within specs...should not go over 8800#.

Also the axle wts. should be listed. Again...those axels are each designed to carry a specific amount of wt.

Look at your manuel again...does it list GCWR...gross combination weight rating...for your truck/engine/tranny/etc?

Again..to be within specs. your fully loaded truck/fully loaded trailor should not exceed the GCWR.

Getting late here...hope i said that right..corrections accepted.

Good luck...OT

BTW...if your not trying to pull someones leg...there lots of info here but you have to read it first.

 

Thanks for the info. I got it figured out finally. Just new to having to pay attention to weights/capacities and stuff.

I found the GCVW, it's 13,500.

 

I'm a bit courious now...... You said your GCWR is only #13500? You said you have an '02 F250? Is that the Super Duty? Hell, my F150 has a GCWR of #12700. If your GVWR is #8800, then that only leaves you with #4700 left to tow (assuming you pack the truck to #8800 of course).

I wouldn't think that having the 5.4 in a Super Duty would cut your combined capacity that much. That's the same rating as an F150 with the #7700 payload option. (What used to be called an F250 Light Duty, but looked like the newer F150's.)

Anyway, if that's the case, that kinda sucks..... Means you can't really tow that much, because I'm sure your F250 SD weighs alot more then my F150. I've not officially weighed mine yet, but figure it's about #5000 with me and some gas in it. My GVWR is #6250, so that's what my truck can weigh all loaded up. So, if I max my truck, I can still tow a #6450 trailer. I wouldn't tow that much with an F150 anyway, but it just gives you an example of how my numbers compare to yours.

Good Luck. Hope you didn't have your heart set on too heavy of a trailer???

 

From the Owners Manual, 2002 SD, page 170
F-250/350 SuperCab Single Rear Wheel, 4x4 Auto with 5.4 and 3.73=

Max GCWR+ 13,500
Max Trailer weight: 7,300

No, I don't pull a heavy trailer, have a 8x12 enclosed Wells now, loaded (rough estimate) with 3 bikes and all gear, tools, fuel, etc., it's around 3,500. I wanted the option to go to a 8x20, same stuff around 5,000 lbs.

It's all kinda confusing, but I think the 8800 number in the door relates to the combined weight of the truck itself, ie; payload and tounge weight not towing capabilities?

There's got to be somewhere that has all this stuff laid out and easy to understand for us newbies, lol.

 

Hi Okie

Yes, at first, it can be confusing. Your doing ok.... Lots of good info. here...so...keep reading/asking questions.

If you are interested enough...go weigh truck/trailor etc...thats what i do. Local truck stop may have CAT scales. There suppose to be very accurate...takes the guess work out.

Trivia for the day...my 88 F250 HD (now a SD) 4X4 460 CID 5SP 3.73rend.. Camper pkg..had a GVWR of 8800#. Dont recall the GCWR? Put a Big Foot overhead (slide in) camper. Total weight was 9200#

Now im not recommending anyone do that...but i ran like that for years...have to admit that truck was built FORD TOUGH. Truck dropped alittle in rear..didnt have overloads..but was OK.

From that...ive learned...listed mfg. weights..may/maynot be reliable? The unloaded wt. of that camper was alot more.

Good luck...OT

BTW...nice truck/trailer! You probably dont need to wt...just be aware/be safe.

 

Thanks for the info and compliment, I love the truck. That trailer has been through 3 trucks (2 were leases, bought the SD). Pulling it isn't a problem even for the Dakota I used to have. Hey, don't give me too hard a time about the Dodge, learned my lesson for sure.

 

Hello All,

Lots of good info in this thread, thanks. I have an 02 F350 4x4, SC w/Power Stroke. The tires are LT265/75RX16E. It has the 9900 GVWR package. I will be leaving on a trip in a few days to pick up a 16' cargo trailer with a 7000 lb Gross Weight.

According to my FL state registration, this vehicle weighs 6336 lbs, so if I understand it correctly, I can put a total of 3564 lbs in the truck, which would include bodys, fuel, misc tools, etc. and trailer tounge weight. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Now I know you can find scales at many of the truck stops, but is there a rule of thumb or visual you can put on the truck and trailer to know when you are close? I will be hauling a load of plaster items approx 1250 miles that very in weight so a count method will not work for me. I would hate to load all these things only to find when I get to the scale I have to unload a lot of them or in the reverse discover I could have loaded a lot more. I DO NOT want to haul overloaded. Thanks for your help.

Gary

 

Hi Gary....Im surprised your down here with us little guys...then again...lots of good info here.

I can see your thinking and thats good. I think your math is right..assuming that your truck does indeed weigh 6336#

Guessing wt. takes experience etc. Thats why those scales are available...ever see those big rigs pulled over and having to unload their trucks right there at the mandaory weigh stations?

Of course out here..pick ups dont have to stop at those scales, but that may not let you off the hook should you be overloaded and have an accident etc. Thats drivers responsibility, as it should be.

I suppose you could look at the springs on rear during the loading process..at some point those springs are going to start flattening out...if you have overloads..that helps.

Thats on your truck. So...check out springs on trailer..if you've straightened them out..well..i'd say your overloaded. Also tires might look alittle funny.

Again...after fully loaded..if any doubts at all...find a local scale. Better safe than sorry. You may get more replies/updates?

Good luck...OT

BTW...be sure your truck and trailer brakes are OK. Correct tire pressure etc. Of course, the PSD speaks for itself, eh!

 

Hello OT - Thanks for all the good advice. I am going to have my truck weighed on my way up to Ohio to pick up my trailer. I will also weigh it with the trailer on it dry. I will go easy with the load until I learn what I am doing. Thanks for your help. BTW, I sure do like this truck! I have only had it for a couple weeks, but what a great truck.

Gary

 

I guess before I pose the question I want to, I need to ask, can I find out the info (GVWR nd GCWR) of my truck without the manuals? They are at home and I'm at work (if this is answered soon of course. I have a 1991 F150 Supercab XLT Lariat longbox, I believe it is a 351 V8. It used to pull a 5th wheel and I'd like to pull an 18' 5th wheel.

Sorry if this sounds newbishy, but hey, I am.