Is GCVWR just a reccomendation?

[techwrtr2]

Its in the manual. All based on engine, gear, chassis length, ect.

Chris

I must be blind then... I've looked for it and still haven't found it.

 

[newbury]

Its in the manual. All based on engine, gear, chassis length, ect.

Chris

On the 2002 Ford F350 7.3L the max tow capacities range from 11,800 to 13,400 lbs. Yet the GCWR is 20,000 lbs for ALL of them. To me that reads like they pulled the 20,000 lb GCWR out of their butt.

Note that most other sources on the net post different numbers for max trailer but agree on 20,000 lb GCWR.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I must be blind then... I've looked for it and still haven't found it.

Its usually in the payload section, not the towing.

As for the 20,000# GCVWR that was mentioned it could be that the lower weight trucks can tow more on paper than a heavier truck like a 4x4 dually F-350.


Chris

 

[Highbeam]

Not on the sticker in the jamb, I have no owner's manual, how would I know there was even a rating called the GCWR? I'm not over on any axles sir.

 

[slowzuki]

The GCVWR doesn't mean anything here, you can't look it up in the manual because they don't have all the dozens of build codes. Most places in Canada at least they only care if you are over what you've paid for in plates for truck and trailer, and over per axle due to road damage.

 

[sandman2234]

I saw, and copied Ford's manual the gave towing capacity for my truck. The 20,000 pound number in my case was trailer towing weight, but with an * for a footnote. That footnote limited non-5th wheel trailers to 10,000.
David from jax
(2000 Ford f350 7.3L, 6sp manual drw)

 

[Rara Avis]

How does one officially determine what a particular truck's GCVWR is if there is nothing on the door to indicate it?

In the commercial world it's what you state on YOUR paperwork when you are getting your Apportioned Plates...most hot-shotters go in the 36K range for a 4500 and some 3500s...

 

[newbury]

In my search for my Ford I gathered a lot of info on manufacturer's GCWR ratings for different trucks. Since I was only interested in a '99 to '03 7.3 L I tended to ignore other years. However the maximum GCWR for F250's or F350's was 20,000 lbs. While the maximum conventional towed trailer weight ranged from a low of 10,000 lbs in 1999 up to 12,500 lbs, which they advise is limited by the trailer hitch. With a GN in 1999 the max trailer weight is 14,200 lbs, but the GCWR is still 20,000 lbs.

I've included these files so perhaps they will help someone else. They came from Ford's publications.

View attachment 2003_SD_F250_350.pdf
View attachment 2002_SD_F250_350.pdf
View attachment Ford-2001-Towing-Guide-Partial.pdf
View attachment Ford-2000-Towing-Guide-Partial.pdf
View attachment Ford-1999-Towing-Guide-Partial.pdf

 

[slowzuki]

It suggests with a 150 lb driver with no cargo in my F350 srw, the maximum gooseneck or bumper pull trailer I can tow under warrantee is either 7100 lb or 8600 lb based on the gear ratio, so roughly the same as a Toyota Tacoma. Put that same 5.4L and 4R100 in an F150 a few years later with a weaker (9.5" semi-float vs 10.5" full float) axle and smaller brakes and the tow rating jumps to 13100 lbs. Yes the F150 is lighter which we all know helps make a better tow vehicle (I'm rolling my eyes)

I'd take their old tow guides with a grain of salt, and continue minding my axle ratings, tire ratings and hitch ratings. BTW if you go a few more years into the future, the tow rating war starts and without any significant changes the tow ratings climb and climb. 2005 did introduce larger brakes and stronger 17" rims. BTW the rims and tires are the limiting factor on the rear ends. The 10.5" is rated to 9000 lbs if you have the tires and rims to support it and brakes to slow it down.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
I'd take their old tow guides with a grain of salt,<snip>

Salt is bad for you and for the way their tow ratings bounce around you'd need a BLOCK of salt.