GVWR Question

The tires are Michelin LTX M/S2 - LT265/70R18E. Load range is 3,085. I can also adjust the hitch to transfer more weight to the front yet.

knesdad wrote:

Front: 3500
Rear: 4600

This is with Michelin "E" tires. And yes, the WDH is set up correct. Everything sits nice and level. I will have to check the tongue weight and see where I'm at there. I could probably move some stuff from the front storage to the rear bunks, but nothing extravagant is in the front storage...

Well the number that really jumps out at me is that rear axle being over by 550lbs. However that axle itself is rated for 4800, so perhaps it is okay. The spring pack is rated for 4050lbs, who knows what parameters that encompasses other than ride height vs weight.
I believe your truck has the "thicker" frame that is part of the HD package, so no worries there.
As for the WDH, I would try redistributing some more of that weight to the front axle, perhaps with more hitch head angle, or pull up another link on the chain-bars. (Although I don't like that approach). Some will say that's the wrong approach, my thinking is that if overloaded, do what it takes to balance it as well as possible. IMHO, you are over the rating of the 6 lug wheels, and the only difference I can see between the HD pac, and yours, is spring packs, wheels, and shocks.
Your front axle is rated for 4050 lbs. If you have the adjustment in the WDH,IN THEORY, I would shift 350lbs forward, and that should send about 100-150lbs back to the trailer axles. Youd then be under the ratings at both ends.

Not necessarily. The axle and wheel bearings can easily take the load. It is the tires that largely determine the load capacity of a pickup. If the weight on the rear axle with the trailer attached is 5000 lbs and the tires are rated at 3200 lbs. each or 6400 lbs. total you are OK. If your rear axle load exceeds the load capacity of your tires I would suggest changing the tires.

If the truck sags in the rear with the trailer load then you can add helper springs at the rear axle or go with air bags.

What people don't seem to be able to comprehend is that the load ratings are based on the weakest link of the truck as it was configured when it left the factory. I have never seen a truck on a dealer's lot that was optimized for maximum load capacity. Easier and cheaper for the factory to add two more tires and make a dually.

With all the 3/4 and 1-ton trucks the minimum load rating for any of the rear axles and wheel bearings used is 8,900 lbs. and most are rated at 10,900 lbs. and this is not the weak link as with 1/2 ton trucks.

400 lbs over a GVWR isn't that big of a deal. However a single gross scale weight doesn't tell the owner the most critical things such as being over the trucks GAWRs and in particular the trucks rawr/and those P tire load ratings.
The 7700 GVWR package has a 4050 rawr and probably P tires. As Rick says those P tire's load rating is reduced by dividing it by 1.10 or roughly 10 percent reduction per fed regs.

I would get a reweigh with separate front and rear axle weights. That way you know what is over and what is under. You sure don't want to over load those thin sidewall P tires.

Hybridhunter wrote:
What are the axle weights? As another poster mentioned, the HD option ups the rear GAWR. But that's with beefier leafs, and a beefier frame.
Also, is your WDH set properly?

Front: 3500
Rear: 4600

This is with Michelin "E" tires. And yes, the WDH is set up correct. Everything sits nice and level. I will have to check the tongue weight and see where I'm at there. I could probably move some stuff from the front storage to the rear bunks, but nothing extravagant is in the front storage...

What are the axle weights? As another poster mentioned, the HD option ups the rear GAWR. But that's with beefier leafs, and a beefier frame.
Also, is your WDH set properly?

gmcsmoke wrote:
YOU'RE GOING TO KILL SOMEBODY.


according to rv.net

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES

if you are happy I am happy-I have 5435 payload and quit worrying about "STUFF" in the truck!-whsk

Did you get front and rear axle weight?
what was what rear axle ?
Ford rates the 9.75 axle 3850 and 4250 depending on springs
Sterling rates it about 4600.
Add some LT tires and timbrens or work rites

Looks like a F250 would be a better truck to be towing with. Don't think you are looking to purchase a newer truck.

I would tow with all tanks empty and fill the water tank when you get to your destination if needed. Dump all tanks before you leave the campground.

I was in a similar situation with a 2005 Silverado 3500HD SRW with a diesel. Was towing at least 900 to 1000 lbs over the GVWR. I traded the truck for a 2011 when the trucks were beefed up and I am now towing within the GVWR of the truck and worry less.