Forum Discussion

zonanavystar's avatar
zonanavystar
Explorer
Aug 03, 2014

F350 SRW weight limitations

So I've been looking into getting a new truck, and I've enjoyed my current set-up and I'm thinking I would like to go the same route. I currently have a 2008 F-250 CC short bed V10. The camper is a 2000 Lance Lite 825 (basically an 815 with permanent wings). I also tow a 4500 lbs ski boat with about 450 lbs tongue weight. Been a great truck, but I'm looking at moving on to a diesel and a long bed with a little larger camper. I ran some numbers for practicality, here's what I found:

2014+ F-350 CC Long Bed Diesel.
GVWR: 11,500
Front GAWR: 5600
Rear GAWR: 7000
Base curb weight: 7800 (4410/3390 ft/rear)

2008+ Lance 915
Dry wt: 2505
Basic Options: 404
30 gal water: 249
Wet weight: 3158
Personal gear: 500
TOTAL weight: 3658

Total Payload: 4108 (includes 450 lbs tongue weight)
Est GVW 11,908

**This also puts me over the rear GAWR by about 200-300 lbs.

I'm okay with the over on the GVWR (I'm already there with the F-250). The rear axle rating I pay a little more attention to. It seems like a new F-350 should be able to haul a "small" non slide long bed camper and be able to tow a boat without going over it's rear axle rating? Am I stuck going to the DRW trucks if I want to do this? Thoughts and opinions welcome, however I'm more interested in thoughts and opinions on trucks and set-ups for truck campers and towing boats and less interested in a weight rating discussion. Thanks!
Truck Campers

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  • jefe_4x4's avatar
    jefe_4x4
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2014
    Here is a link to a' 4Weeler' piece on the Sterling 10.25 and 10.50-inch axles, by year and with some upgrades. It is dated June/2005, so may not be up to date.
    http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/129-0506-ford-1025-1050-inch-axle-tips/
    jefe
  • AH64ID's avatar
    AH64ID
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2014
    I believe the rating of the Sterling 10.5" is 9,750lbs.
  • zonanavystar's avatar
    zonanavystar
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2014
    A little more research on Ford's spec sheet and I got some more numbers for specs.

    Rear wheels: 3590 each
    Tires: 3640 each
    Rear springs: 7000
    Rear axle: 7280 (Ford Sterling)

    So I see where the 7000 lbs rating is based on that spring pack rating, however the axle rating on the Ford Sterling doesn't seem that much higher. Does that seem right, or is the Ford Sterling much higher? Again, I'm more concerned about the manufacturers capacity for components, as in I have no problem upgrading tires and wheels and adding airbags or more leaves to the springs, but I want to make sure I'm not exceeding the axle rating as I have no way to upgrade that other than a new axle. And for all that cost, yes a DRW makes more sense.

    I prefer a SRW truck for the big reasons, parking, 4 tires vice 6... etc. However if the modification cost for the SRW truck is the same or more of the premium for a DRW truck, then getting the DRW makes more sense. I'm just trying to understand what I'm looking at.

    ...of course I could also just go Lance 815 and fit the whole thing in the long bed without needing an extension for towing...
  • AH64ID's avatar
    AH64ID
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2014
    KD4UPL wrote:
    Your GRAW is likely limited by the stock tires. Upgrading tires, possible to a 19.5" rim and tire would help.
    However, yes, you're asking a lot of the truck. Diesel engines are heavy, 4 x 4 is heavy, campers are heavy. I have a dually and with my TC and boat I'm over my GVWR by more than 2,000 pounds.


    Exactly. The RAWR is tire/wheel based so an upgrade to those will allow you to keep a SRW.

    A DRW will handle the weight better, but that's not always an option. If DRW isn't an option then modify a SRW.

    I personally needed a SRW with about 7500# of RAWR, so I modified my 3500 SRW. I have a hellwig anti-sway bar, airbags, Bilstien Shocks, and 19.5" wheels tires rated at 4500/ea. It handles the weight great, of which 1200lbs is tongue weight and over 1100lbs is above the bed rails and 8' wide. I challenge any stock DRW to handle it as well, a modified DRW will win but a DRW should need modifications.

    Just like on my Dodge the F-350 uses the same frame for SRW/DRW and the same brakes. There are probably slight suspension differences that airbags can fix. The Sterling 10.5" axle has all the capacity you need, even if you maxed out a pair of 19.5's.
  • Butch50's avatar
    Butch50
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2014
    Just to let you know the base weight is nowhere close to what the actual truck will weigh. I had 2011 F350 4X4 King Ranch and it weighed over 8000#. That is without the diesel.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer II
    Aug 03, 2014
    Your GRAW is likely limited by the stock tires. Upgrading tires, possible to a 19.5" rim and tire would help.
    However, yes, you're asking a lot of the truck. Diesel engines are heavy, 4 x 4 is heavy, campers are heavy. I have a dually and with my TC and boat I'm over my GVWR by more than 2,000 pounds.
  • twodownzero's avatar
    twodownzero
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2014
    I would get a DRW truck if I were you. In fact, if for whatever reason I end up getting rid of my current truck, even though I only have a Lance 815 now, I am moving up to a DRW.

    Why restrict your future camper choices just to have single wheels? There are plenty of nice campers in the 3k lb wet weight like the 915 you're using for your specs, but why not open the door to the bigger campers if you're changing trucks anyway?

    I've never had a dually and I didn't buy one when I bought my current 1 ton because I didn't want to deal with the 6 tires and the parking issues.....but in hindsight it would have been a small price to pay for the stability and GVWR!

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