max capacity tow buffer

15% cushion on the GCVWR might not be a bad rule of thumb. My rig is at

84% of GCVWR
97% of truck GVWR
99% of truck rear axle GAWR

If it were at more than 85% of GCVWR, it would surely overload the rear axle.

spud1957 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
J2807 does not mean the weights are anymore accurate than non J2807 ratings. Read the note #1 in that guide. The weights are estimated!!!

"1. Payload and Max Trailer Weights are ESTIMATED values."

Don't worry in 2017 Ford will be able to use those same "ESTIMATED values"

Not worried at all. Ratings whether SAE or not, they are estimated. You should have stated "Ford Super Duty 250/350". The '16 F150/450 uses the standard and the majority of other Ford vehicles use it as well.

Now if all the big 3 could get on board using the same standard for measuring engine output.

Thanks, I should have been more clear!

I agree once everyone is using the same ratings that would be very nice!

I can tell you the Cummins puts a big percentage of advertised HP to the ground. I was at a LasVegas Dyno event recently. The 2013 and up stock 370 and 385 HP trucks all had 354+- HP to the ground. Except for mine I was 328, I had let mine idle with the EB on and lost hp because the fan was engaged. I learned later a warm engine will produce more power. Even so mine had 85 percent of advertised HP to the ground, that is above average.

smkettner wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

smkettner wrote:

Bedlam wrote:
Maybe start with full floating verses semi floating axles?

Which one will not hold up to its rating?
Or is it OK to overload one or the other?

You will find that most that "Tow over limits" are 250/2500 owners. This due the fact that many states have weird registration laws and much higher licensing rates than 250/2500.
Most 250/2500 are the same as 350/3500 with the possable exception of springs.
The reference to "Full Floating" is the difference between two small bearings to four BIG bearings! The fact that a strong spindle supports the load in a full floater, not the axle.
Typically the same axle is used both a 250/2500 and 350/3500.

So it is OK to use 350/3500 ratings for a 250/2500 in most cases?
(excluding dually ratings)

Typically only difference is springs, engine, transmission, rear axle, and frame all the same!
Most of the time the only difference is the maximum GVWR, keep in mind you can buy a F350 with a 10,000# GVWR, for what reasons other than to fit a lighter TV class for registration reasons?
I will say didn't look at weights when we bought current 5er, simply said I want to see how much the truck sagged with 5er hooked up. It hardly dropped at all, I will say I was a bit supprised at the results of the first trip to the scales.
Towing over GVWR is still a personal choice

A properly equipped 250 will have the same capacity as the 350, but you need to know which options to choose and paperwork will not reflect it.

rhagfo wrote:

smkettner wrote:

Bedlam wrote:
Maybe start with full floating verses semi floating axles?

Which one will not hold up to its rating?
Or is it OK to overload one or the other?

You will find that most that "Tow over limits" are 250/2500 owners. This due the fact that many states have weird registration laws and much higher licensing rates than 250/2500.
Most 250/2500 are the same as 350/3500 with the possable exception of springs.
The reference to "Full Floating" is the difference between two small bearings to four BIG bearings! The fact that a strong spindle supports the load in a full floater, not the axle.
Typically the same axle is used both a 250/2500 and 350/3500.

So it is OK to use 350/3500 ratings for a 250/2500 in most cases?
(excluding dually ratings)

Some of you need to get off of the j2087 specsas being the end all be all of ratings.
Max initial start grade is all off 12%. I had to pull my track hoe up a 20% earlier today to get to a job site. A 20 to better yet, 30% grade for min starting in first and reverse would make me smile. Current spec is useless for many of us in how we use trucks.
Min speed on a 5% grade is 35/40 mph depending on gvwr/gcwr of truck. DOT class 3 and smaller is 40mph. Class 4 and heavier 35mph. Min speed in Washington state where I am on a freeway grade is 40mph. 45 minimum would open my eyes. Current spec s again useless, as I could get a moving too slow, impeding traffic ticket with SAE specs.
I do not see ANYTHING reason to hold this spec higher than previous not performance spec what does it rate.

Marty

Cummins12V98 wrote:
J2807 does not mean the weights are anymore accurate than non J2807 ratings. Read the note #1 in that guide. The weights are estimated!!!

"1. Payload and Max Trailer Weights are ESTIMATED values."

Don't worry in 2017 Ford will be able to use those same "ESTIMATED values"

Not worried at all. Ratings whether SAE or not, they are estimated. You should have stated "Ford Super Duty 250/350". The '16 F150/450 uses the standard and the majority of other Ford vehicles use it as well.

Now if all the big 3 could get on board using the same standard for measuring engine output.

J2807 does not mean the weights are anymore accurate than non J2807 ratings. Read the note #1 in that guide. The weights are estimated!!!

"1. Payload and Max Trailer Weights are ESTIMATED values."

Don't worry in 2017 Ford will be able to use those same "ESTIMATED values"

wing_zealot wrote:
What you say makes perfect sense blt2ski. The thing that I really have an issue with is ppl that say just because you got a 25+ series truck - you got a magic pill-break all the rules. You got a 15 series truck you gotta tow well under all your ratings or you're gonna kill your wife and kids.

For 250/2500 series trucks, the "magic pill" is they are, for all intents and purposes, a 3XXX truck which has higher ratings than their respective 2XXX trucks.

My GVWR is 9900 lbs and rear axle of 6100. I have the camper package. With the exception of the fender emblem and the sticker on the door post, it's a 350. Remove the emblems/labels and no mechanic would know the difference.

So if I creeped over my GVWR or my axle rating, not a big deal. My truck as a 350 would have a 11,000 lb GVWR and a 7000 lb axle rating.

This can't be said for 1/2 tons. Their major components are just that, 1/2 ton ratings and should stay within their ratings. There is no compelling argument that the trucks can withstand exceeding their ratings (within reason).

What you say makes perfect sense blt2ski. The thing that I really have an issue with is ppl that say just because you got a 25+ series truck - you got a magic pill-break all the rules. You got a 15 series truck you gotta tow well under all your ratings or you're gonna kill your wife and kids.