Just over GVWR

[TPompei]

While pulling a three horse trailer with a living quarters, I stopped at the scales this weekend on my way to camp just to see how heavy I was.

Did I do the math correctly here?

Steering axle 5460
Drive axle 6380
Trailer axles 8600

I have an 08 F350 with a long bed, so my GVWR is 11,400. If I add the weight on the truck axles, I'm at 11,840 , 440 lbs over.

Is this correct? I had a 30 gallon water tank in the bed of the truck, about 250 lbs. But I only had one horse in the trailer. Hmmm.

I thought with the one ton I'd have plenty of capacity, but it seems like I have too much tongue weight on the gooseneck. Any recommendations?

Heavy in Dayton,
Tom

[fulltimer50]

Your math is correct. You didnt say if you have single or dual rear wheels.

[TPompei]

single rear wheels

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by TPompei

I thought with the one ton I'd have plenty of capacity, but it seems like I have too much tongue weight on the gooseneck.

You don't have a "one ton". One tons have dual rear wheels.

You have a "tweener". Between an F-250 and a one ton Dooley.

Any recommendations?

Recognize that you don't have quite enough truck for that trailer when the trailer is loaded. Be sure the holding tanks are empty when on the road. Don't haul fresh water more than the last mile or so before your parking spot. Figure out how to fill up with fresh water at the end of the trip so you don't haul it around with you.

Limit the weight of tack and feed you haul. Tell your sweetheart that heavy dishes and pots and pans are not allowed. Use paper plates, plastic "silverware", aluminum pans, etc. Leave all the extra clothes and bedding at home. Don't stock up on canned goods and other food items you'll have to haul around.

When loading the trailer, shift some of the weight behind the rear axles of the trailer. If you have only one horse, put it at the back. If the trailer is a slant and you have two horses, then put the horses in the back two stalls.

If you need to actually haul three horses in the LQ trailer, then realize you simply don't have enough truck for your load without being severely overloaded. You need at least an F-350 DRW and probably an F-450 to be worry-free about being overloaded.

Today I picked up my 5er from the RV shop. In the parking lot was a near-new Bloomer LQ, and the tow vehicle was an International Class 7 truck (equivalent to an F-750). Now that ole boy doesn't have to worry about his horse trailer overloading his tow vehicle.

[TPompei]

I didn't think the tow ratings and axle ratings were any different from a dually or single rear wheel, according to Ford. Thanks for the post.

Do you think adding air bags would increase my capacity?

[NickKent]

Originally Posted by TPompei

I didn't think the tow ratings and axle ratings were any different from a dually or single rear wheel, according to Ford. Thanks for the post.

Do you think adding air bags would increase my capacity?

The axle ratings on a single rear wheel are not as high as a dual rear wheel axle. More tires, more capacity. What you didn't do was unhook your trailer and weigh the truck again. So you don't know what your tongue weight is. Therefore you don't know what it needs for adjustment. I wouldn't be worried if I were you as long as you are not over your RGAWR. But if you put more horses in the trailer you'll be even more overweight. I wouldn't want to go over the tire or axle ratings.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by TPompei

I didn't think the tow ratings and axle ratings were any different from a dually or single rear wheel, according to Ford.

"Tow ratings" are close to the same, but that is how much weight you can "pull" without considering how much you can "haul". So if you were towing a bumper-pull trailer, your SRW would pull about the same weight trailer as a Dooley. But a gooseneck has much more percentage of hitch weight which you have to haul, and your SRW runs out of hauling capacity (GVWR) well before it reaches its towing capacity (GCWR).

As to the axle ratings, the DRW has a lot higher rear axle weight capacity than your SRW pickup does. Your SRW has a Ford 10.5" rear axle rated at a max load of 7,280 pounds @ground. The DRW has a Dana 80 11.25" rear axle rated at 9,000 or 9,750 pounds @ground, depending on options.

Rear springs on the DRW are much heaftier to carry more hitch weight. Rated 7,000 pounds @ground on the SRW and 9,000 pounds @ground on the DRW.

The max GVWR on the F-350 SRW is 11,500 pounds, while the max GVWR on the F-350 DRW is 13,000 pounds. That extra weight capacity of the Dooley is because of rear axle, rear springs, and rear tires.

Do you think adding air bags would increase my capacity?

No.

Air bags are primarily to level the truck so the headlights don't blind oncoming drivers when you're heavily loaded at night. They don't add GVWR, but they allow you to use the GVWR built into your truck.

[MarkEkberg]

You are fine with that load. If it makes you happy you can shift some of the load around to take some off the hitch to get you closer.

If it is squating put some airbags in to level it.

[DesertDave]

I researched the axle capacity with the manufacturer, and their rating for the dual wheel axle is the same as the single wheel axle.

Ford limits the axle rating for some reason, most likely the tire capacity. The 7000 lb rating is for stock tires at 75psi. Your rear axle weight was under that, were I you, I wouldn't be slightly concerned with your rear axle weight measurement. If you push it beyond 7240 with your tires at 80 psi, then you will exceed your tire ratings, and I personally would be concerned greatly about that. If your planned use puts you over your tire ratings, I suggest you either change your plans, or change your tires to ones with a carrying capacity greater than your plans.

I found the axle weight rating of the Visteon axle on their website. Both versions of their 10.5" ring gear axle are rated at 9750.

I choose to pay attention to the front and rear axle weights, and the tire limits, and to be less concerned with the 11,400 GVWR limit.