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:
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.
Thats 'cause brakes are the function the vehicles GAWRs not the trucks GVWR.
The F350 DRW may have a 6000 FAWR and a 9000 RAWR = 15k lbs of braking performance and a 13xxx GVWR.
The F550 with those big 7000 FAWR and up to 14700 RAWR = 21700 lb of braking performance on a 19500 GVWR.
Same with a tri axle trailer with 7k axles = 21k lbs of braking performance.
Thats why some state/provinces weight laws actually reads to use the sum of the vehicles axle ratings as its gross weight and can safely stop its rated loads for each axle system.
This from a former FMCSA homepage;
NHTSA says this about components of the GAWR:
"Gross Axle Weight Rating is the rated load-carrying capacity of an individual axle and wheel assembly. (It represents the load that may be steadily sustained by the components in the system; i.e., tires, rims, hubs, bearing, axles, brakes, suspension, sub frame, etc. with the GAWR limited by the components with the lowest working rating".
I'm not posting this to start a back and forth on any weight regulations but just to clarify what minimum functions the vehicle brakes are sized to.
