Buying a New TC Hauler
I started the process today of replacing my 2010 F450 with a 2016 model. The Ford dealers here in Little Rock hardly ever have them though, and I had resigned myself to probably driving to Dallas in o...
Forum Discussion
jimh425 wrote:
The F450 spring pack/frame on the chassis cab have a huge payload capacity with about the same axle as far as I can tell. http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/chassis-cab/specifications/payload/
My spring pack is lighter than the '16 F350 my friend has. Of course, my F450 is a '10. I think Bedlam has done closer comparisons.
I could not afford trim levels of the F450 pickup, so I didn't look in to them as much as the chassis cabs. From what I have seen, they are a F350 with F450 driveline (one step up from the old Tow Boss option). The frame and suspension is pretty much a F350.
If you want one of these triple slide campers, the Dana 110 is the minimum axle you want. Regardless of OEM camper specifications, expect approximately 6000 lbs of payload on the rear axle. I feel this is too close the maximum of the Dana 80 or AAM axles. If you also plan to tow behind these campers, even the Dana 110 will be close or over its limits - You want the Dana 111 or 130 in the Class 5 trucks.
I feel that until you get in to the chassis cabs, the suspension will be too soft in any of the pickups. Once I add an additional ton to my Class 5, I won't know whether I need to take out any sag. Right now it handles 5000 lbs of camper and tongue weight and is still tail high with no suspension changes.
