Can Our F350 Carry a Lance 1191 Safely?

2003silverado wrote:
I am not an expert on the dynamics of truck campers, but as for your rear axle...I believe that year of truck has a rear gross axle weight rating of 8,250 pounds. As you say your rear axle has an empty weight of 3,160 pounds. This leaves you with 5,090 pounds of rear axle capacity remaining.

Generally there are 2 groups of people: the first group is more conservative and believe that the truck's GVWR is gospel and shouldn't be overloaded and there is nothing that can be modified to increase the GVWR. The other group looks more closely at the axle and tire weight ratings and uses that as the do not exceed number, and may use modifications (air bags, timbrens, additional springs, etc) to level out the truck when loaded.

I guess what I'm saying is that if you are going to go by GVWR then you will be overloaded. If you are going to go by GAWRs then you are within the specs. You need to do with what you are comfortable with.

Personally, I am in agreement with this post. I think it is very valid, and it has worked for me since the seventies.

I am in the GAWR camp. I have modified my truck to meet my handling preferences. I think the very first thing to look at is the Load Capacity of the tires. Notice, I did not say Load Range (letter designation), it is Load capacity (indicated in pounds). If the tires do not have enough load capacity, you are at a higher risk of tire failure, and you will experience more sway.

With the exception of the tires, I would load it all up, drive it a few weeks, then determine what I want to change in handling charistics, and upgrade accordingly.

Each of us have our own comfort level, and I think it is very important to have that satisfied. I think sway spooks folks the most. The tires and a big anti-sway bar is the best and first mods to make resolving this.

Wayne