Modding an F-350 up or an F-550 down for TC
Given that you can get the same engine in an F-350 and F-550, which do you think would be better - beefing up the suspension and brakes on an F-350 so you don't need a custom bed, or buying an F-550 a...
Forum Discussion
KD4UPL wrote:Butch50 wrote:KD4UPL wrote:
You guys completely missed mkirsch's point about the brakes. He gave the equation (sort of).
In many states a trailer can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and not require brakes. So, if a truck, fully loaded to it's GVWR was pulling such a trailer, presumably the engineers that designed the truck have to take this possibility into account. That would mean the truck's brakes need to be able to stop the truck at GVWR + 3000 pounds. So, if you're NOT pulling a 3,000 pound unbraked trailer in theory you should have enough braking capacity to exceed the truck's GVWR by 3,000 pounds.
The 3000# trailer is set by the states (and some of them are 2000#) not the truck manfu. The brakes on the truck are rated for the max GVWR. You need to read your manual. Per my 2011 Ford F350 manual page 251 of the Super Duty Owner's Guide "The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the GVWR not GCWR."
This is saying that the brakes are only rated to stop the truck with its max GVWR and not including any trailer. Again the weight of a trailer not needing brakes is a state thing not the builder of the trucks.
I have a Aluma 2990# flatbed trailer and it had no trailer brakes when it was built. When I towed it with the truck when it was empty I never worried about it as the truck at that time had plenty of capacity for the trailer loaded at 1500# total weight. Now pulling it behind my truck and camper I have added brakes to it now so the trailer is stopping its self and the truck is not.
Need to read your truck manual and not believe everything that is posted on the web.
I never said the truck manufacturers made the law, only that they hopefully are aware of it. Just because your manual says that doesn't mean they all do. On page 4-88 of my Chevy manual it states: "If your trailer weighs more than 2,000 pounds loaded, then it needs it's own brakes - and they must be adequate"
This says to me that the brakes on the truck must be adequate for up to an additional 2,000 pounds over the truck's GVWR.
Maybe you should ask GM for clarification. I would read that as you can tow up to a 2ooo lb trailer without trailer brakes and anything over must have "adaquate brakes" of it's own.
Anything other than that is an assumption on your part.
