Frame Stiffing to reduce Porpoising?
Got a question for you seasoned drivers with older rigs. I have a 1999 F350 Dually Quad Cab Long Bed. I've been driving it for thousands of miles and for the most part, it's been fine. However, while ...
Forum Discussion
Executive Summary:
Not enough facts were provided by Adamis, despite multiple requests from RV.net members willing to offer their experience and advise.
Available Facts:
From First Post:
From Signature Photo:
Clarifies CREW Cab (not "Quad Cab," which is the Ram equivalent to 4 door Extended or Super Cab) Confirmation of Crew cab is important for looking up the correct vehicle references in the 1999 Model Year Consumer Information for Truck Camper Loading for Ford Pickup Trucks.
From Second Post:
From Third Post:
Contradiction:
By definition, the "larger KC Turbo, larger injectors, chipped" each individually and in combination means that the statement "I'm still legal in California" is false, and not at all a fact.
From Fourth Post:
Questions on Maximum Payload Capacity assumptions:
From What resource did you obtain the "5,355 lbs" Maximum Payload Capacity for CREW CAB DUALLY LONG BED 4x2?
Did you account for the different Max Payload that applies to the 7.3L diesel?
Did you account for the different Max Payload that applies to California?
Did you account for the different Max Payload that applies to Model Year?
Did you account for the options that you specific truck was built with?
More Accurate Information to Consider:
It remains unknown what options your truck was built with, the weights of which reduce the maximum payload capacity of your your specific truck. Likewise, the weights of the $10K in goodies that you added is also not known.
However, given that it is well established that your truck has the 7.3L diesel, and that are in California, and therefore probable that your truck was built for California, with an 11,000 lbs GVWR... the Maximum Payload capacity for a 7.3L diesel equipped F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab 4x2 172.4" wheelbase (long bed) dual rear wheel pickup is 4410 lbs, before factory options are subtracted.
Source: 1999 Ford Source Book, Super Duty F-Series Page 86 (Dealership Hard Copy Print)
Questions on Big Foot 2500 Camper Weight determination:
How did your camper weight drop from 4,500 to 5,000 lbs down to 2,906 lbs?
Have you actually weighed your camper?
Have you actually weighed your truck?
As other rv.net members have pointed out, getting physical weights is step 1.
There is no point in guessing at what you can readily determine with certainty.
The Ford Pickup Trucks 1999 Model Year Consumer Information Truck Camper Loading guide sets forth the Minimum Requirements and Maximum Weights of truck campers on 1999 Ford Pickups.
1. The 1999 F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab DRW 172.4" WB 4x2 is only recommended for hauling truck campers if the truck is equiped with the optional CAMPER PACKAGE 532.
The CAMPER PACKAGE 532 consists of the following equipment for 7.3L diesel 4x2 applications:
A. Front Stabilizer Bar
B. Rear Stabilizer Bar
C. Auxiliary Rear Springs
D. Slide In Camper Certification
Question: Does your truck have the foregoing optional equipment A-D?
2. Factory Option Weight distribution between Front and Rear Axles for
Base 1999 F-350 4x2 Crew Cab 172.4" Wheelbase DRW 11,000 lbs GVWR
Example of Assumed Front Axle additions/subtractions:
7.3L Diesel w/4R100 Automatic: + 604 lbs.
California Emissions: + 2 lbs.
Front Stabilizer Bar: + 34 lbs.
Rear Stabilizer Bar: + 2 lbs.
Auxiliary Rear Springs: + 1 lb.
Lariat Trim: + 19 lbs.
Aluminum Wheels (-22 lbs.)
Running Boards: + 46 lbs.
Air Conditioning: + 44 lbs.
Power Windows/Locks: + 3 lbs.
40/20/40 w/Power Driver seat: + 32 lbs.
Trailer Tow Mirrors Electric: + 8 lbs.
Chrome Front Bumper: + 7 lbs.
Chrome/Painted Rear Bumper: (-17 lbs.)
LT235/85R16E A/T Tires: + 26 lbs.
LT235/85R16E A/T Spare Tire: (-11 lbs.)
AM/FM Stereo CD Player: + 8 lbs.
Trailer Tow Hitch: (-11 lbs.)
Subtotal of Example Option Weight on Front Axle: 775 lbs.
Example of Assumed Rear Axle additions/subtractions:
7.3L Diesel w/4R100 Automatic: 98 lbs.
California Emissions: 1 lbs.
Front Stabilizer Bar: (-3 lbs.)
Rear Stabilizer Bar: + 26 lbs.
Auxiliary Rear Springs: + 32 lbs.
Lariat Trim: + 20 lbs.
Aluminum Wheels: (-22 lbs.)
Running Boards: + 29 lbs.
Air Conditioning: (-3 lbs.)
Power Windows/Locks: + 3 lbs.
40/20/40 w/Power Driver seat: + 21 lbs.
Trailer Tow Mirrors Electric: + 3 lbs.
Chrome Front Bumper: (-1 lbs.)
Chrome/Painted Rear Bumper: + 80 lbs.
LT235/85R16E A/T Tires: + 51 lbs.
LT235/85R16E A/T Spare Tire: + 101 lbs.
AM/FM Stereo CD Player: + 2 lbs
Trailer Tow Hitch: + 60 lbs.
Subtotal of Example Option Weight on Rear Axle: 478 lbs.
Based on the foregoing examples of option weights, the actual cargo carrying capacity for the vehicle as equipped is in the range of 2,961 lbs., as determined on Page 43 of Ford Customer Service Publication FCS-12177-99.
The longitudinal center of gravity zone is 60.2" forward of the tailgate at the front edge of the longitudinal CG zone, to 44.7" forward from the tailgate at the aft edge of the longitudinal CG zone.
Obviously, the manner in which your specific truck is equipped may vary from the above example factory options selected for demonstration purposes.
Equally obvious is the fact that your truck does not have 5355 lbs of cargo capacity, or net carrying capacity, as you previously have cited.
It is suggested to review how the truck is engineered, before trying to re-engineer it.
The first and most basic step is to weight the truck without the camper, and then weigh the truck with the camper. With each weight, weigh the front and rear axle on separate platforms. This base line data is foundational to any future decision on how to manage camper weight on your truck within the original design limitations. The Federal Certification Label on the door jamb and the Slide In Camper Certification (if equipped) are also essential GAWR and GVWR data sources to compare your actual weights with.
Not enough facts were provided by Adamis, despite multiple requests from RV.net members willing to offer their experience and advise.
Available Facts:
From First Post:
adamis wrote:
I have a 1999 F350 Dually Quad Cab Long Bed. My camper is the Bigfoot 2500 and with everything loaded up is probably in the 4500lb to 5000lb range.
From Signature Photo:
Clarifies CREW Cab (not "Quad Cab," which is the Ram equivalent to 4 door Extended or Super Cab) Confirmation of Crew cab is important for looking up the correct vehicle references in the 1999 Model Year Consumer Information for Truck Camper Loading for Ford Pickup Trucks.
From Second Post:
adamis wrote:
my truck is only two wheel drive. Fine for California
From Third Post:
adamis wrote:
the reason I picked a 7.3 is the smog equipment is non existent. and I'm still legal in California. I also have close to $10k in "goodies" in this engine Larger KC Turbo, Larger Injectors, Chipped,
Contradiction:
By definition, the "larger KC Turbo, larger injectors, chipped" each individually and in combination means that the statement "I'm still legal in California" is false, and not at all a fact.
From Fourth Post:
adamis wrote:
It took me a while to find it but Max Payload for the Crew Cab Dually Long Bed 2x4 appears to be 5355 lbs and the 4x4 is 4910lbs. My camper according to the tag on it weighed 2906 and that included 50 gallons of water and 20lbs of propane. Going to a 4x4 conversion that would leave me 2000lbs for people and gear which would be way more than we would ever carry.
Questions on Maximum Payload Capacity assumptions:
From What resource did you obtain the "5,355 lbs" Maximum Payload Capacity for CREW CAB DUALLY LONG BED 4x2?
Did you account for the different Max Payload that applies to the 7.3L diesel?
Did you account for the different Max Payload that applies to California?
Did you account for the different Max Payload that applies to Model Year?
Did you account for the options that you specific truck was built with?
More Accurate Information to Consider:
It remains unknown what options your truck was built with, the weights of which reduce the maximum payload capacity of your your specific truck. Likewise, the weights of the $10K in goodies that you added is also not known.
However, given that it is well established that your truck has the 7.3L diesel, and that are in California, and therefore probable that your truck was built for California, with an 11,000 lbs GVWR... the Maximum Payload capacity for a 7.3L diesel equipped F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab 4x2 172.4" wheelbase (long bed) dual rear wheel pickup is 4410 lbs, before factory options are subtracted.
Source: 1999 Ford Source Book, Super Duty F-Series Page 86 (Dealership Hard Copy Print)
Questions on Big Foot 2500 Camper Weight determination:
How did your camper weight drop from 4,500 to 5,000 lbs down to 2,906 lbs?
Have you actually weighed your camper?
Have you actually weighed your truck?
As other rv.net members have pointed out, getting physical weights is step 1.
There is no point in guessing at what you can readily determine with certainty.
The Ford Pickup Trucks 1999 Model Year Consumer Information Truck Camper Loading guide sets forth the Minimum Requirements and Maximum Weights of truck campers on 1999 Ford Pickups.
1. The 1999 F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab DRW 172.4" WB 4x2 is only recommended for hauling truck campers if the truck is equiped with the optional CAMPER PACKAGE 532.
The CAMPER PACKAGE 532 consists of the following equipment for 7.3L diesel 4x2 applications:
A. Front Stabilizer Bar
B. Rear Stabilizer Bar
C. Auxiliary Rear Springs
D. Slide In Camper Certification
Question: Does your truck have the foregoing optional equipment A-D?
2. Factory Option Weight distribution between Front and Rear Axles for
Base 1999 F-350 4x2 Crew Cab 172.4" Wheelbase DRW 11,000 lbs GVWR
Example of Assumed Front Axle additions/subtractions:
7.3L Diesel w/4R100 Automatic: + 604 lbs.
California Emissions: + 2 lbs.
Front Stabilizer Bar: + 34 lbs.
Rear Stabilizer Bar: + 2 lbs.
Auxiliary Rear Springs: + 1 lb.
Lariat Trim: + 19 lbs.
Aluminum Wheels (-22 lbs.)
Running Boards: + 46 lbs.
Air Conditioning: + 44 lbs.
Power Windows/Locks: + 3 lbs.
40/20/40 w/Power Driver seat: + 32 lbs.
Trailer Tow Mirrors Electric: + 8 lbs.
Chrome Front Bumper: + 7 lbs.
Chrome/Painted Rear Bumper: (-17 lbs.)
LT235/85R16E A/T Tires: + 26 lbs.
LT235/85R16E A/T Spare Tire: (-11 lbs.)
AM/FM Stereo CD Player: + 8 lbs.
Trailer Tow Hitch: (-11 lbs.)
Subtotal of Example Option Weight on Front Axle: 775 lbs.
Example of Assumed Rear Axle additions/subtractions:
7.3L Diesel w/4R100 Automatic: 98 lbs.
California Emissions: 1 lbs.
Front Stabilizer Bar: (-3 lbs.)
Rear Stabilizer Bar: + 26 lbs.
Auxiliary Rear Springs: + 32 lbs.
Lariat Trim: + 20 lbs.
Aluminum Wheels: (-22 lbs.)
Running Boards: + 29 lbs.
Air Conditioning: (-3 lbs.)
Power Windows/Locks: + 3 lbs.
40/20/40 w/Power Driver seat: + 21 lbs.
Trailer Tow Mirrors Electric: + 3 lbs.
Chrome Front Bumper: (-1 lbs.)
Chrome/Painted Rear Bumper: + 80 lbs.
LT235/85R16E A/T Tires: + 51 lbs.
LT235/85R16E A/T Spare Tire: + 101 lbs.
AM/FM Stereo CD Player: + 2 lbs
Trailer Tow Hitch: + 60 lbs.
Subtotal of Example Option Weight on Rear Axle: 478 lbs.
Based on the foregoing examples of option weights, the actual cargo carrying capacity for the vehicle as equipped is in the range of 2,961 lbs., as determined on Page 43 of Ford Customer Service Publication FCS-12177-99.
The longitudinal center of gravity zone is 60.2" forward of the tailgate at the front edge of the longitudinal CG zone, to 44.7" forward from the tailgate at the aft edge of the longitudinal CG zone.
Obviously, the manner in which your specific truck is equipped may vary from the above example factory options selected for demonstration purposes.
Equally obvious is the fact that your truck does not have 5355 lbs of cargo capacity, or net carrying capacity, as you previously have cited.
It is suggested to review how the truck is engineered, before trying to re-engineer it.
The first and most basic step is to weight the truck without the camper, and then weigh the truck with the camper. With each weight, weigh the front and rear axle on separate platforms. This base line data is foundational to any future decision on how to manage camper weight on your truck within the original design limitations. The Federal Certification Label on the door jamb and the Slide In Camper Certification (if equipped) are also essential GAWR and GVWR data sources to compare your actual weights with.
