F350 and 34CKTS

[jswharton]

First post guys! I have a 2000 F350 drw and a 34 CKTS and never much gave any thought to weights. So off to the scale I went after reading some of your posts and axels and pin weights have plenty of cusion. But the combined weight is 20,120 and need to add food and clothes. Had about 20 gal of water, 1 full propane and a full tank of truck fuel.The truck is chipped and a K&N. The truck weight 8,040 full of fuel, people and dogs. The way I see it that leaves me only 12,000 for a loaded trailer. I'm still working but we are preparing for a full-time experience.

OK enough history. Can it be that I'm truley overweight? I really thought I would be save with the truck. The CC is a 2001 and were/are considering a newer model when we go FT but most of what we're looking at are even heaiver than the Creek, plus we don't have a washer/dryer yet. Can it be I over estimated the capasity of the truck? Other than removing stuff is there any way to increase the CGWR?

Help please . . . . with your knowledge . . . . . Scott

[davidk4x4]

Welcome Scott

May I be the first to say, Yes your over the manufacturer GCWR

Now that that's out of the way, when I had my 2003 F350 DRW I was over also. What's more important, if you live in a state that registers your truck by weight capacity did you pay for enough Lbs.

There are lots of arguments about weight but back in the day (That would be 10 years ago) 20,000 Lbs GCWR was about max for a pickup truck and they towed everything
- Some people say you can get a ticket, that's only if you register by weight and did not pay enough
- Some people say you could face a law suite if in an bad accident (Well that a good chance anyways)
- It could void your factory warranty (I don't see that as an issue in this case)

You could always buy a new truck, newer signal rear wheel trucks are rated at 23,000 Lbs (2009 F-250)
My truck started the model year rated at 26,000 Lbs and end at 33,000 Lbs GCWR (Just a marketing change when they decide 4.88 gears where ridiculous to low)

Or like a lot of other people just make sure you do your maintenance (Like Brakes) and make sure your comfortable driving down the road

O and watch what you pack, we all seem to carry stuff around the country just in case and never use it

They have grocery stores every where so no need to pack months worth of food

Keep it between the lines and have fun
David

[jswharton]

Thanks for the feedback. No weight registration here in Texas so I'm safe there. Being a bit new at this I really underestimated the roll of tires and didn't think enough about brakes. We recently moved to Houston from a rural part of TX and have a large dealer nearby. I've had the Creek in a couple times, including a full inspection, and while all the reviews were good am convinced that we are our best diagonisticians.

I've learned a lot in the last 6 months (when I took my blinders off) and it is mostly to you sharing your experience and knowledge, and for that I'm greatful. Kepp it up, guts like me can use it. We maintain our "rigs" well and brakes are high on my list "now" At this weight, with properly inflated tires I fell safe and have had no stopping issues plus to max out mileage I'm always around 60 miles per hour.

I thought that maybe I was missing somehing and appreciate the time you took to confirm my thoughts

Scott

[mike1poles]

Scott,

I totally agree with David. I have a 1997 F350 dually (7.3) and we pull the 36RD5S (we are full time and have everything we own in it, plus we have a 5.5KW generator, stack washer and dryer, dishwasher and extra furniture and "stuff"). I scaled it, this is what the numbers were; steer axle 4220, drive axle 6720, Trailer axles 15,854, gross weight 26,794. When we went to the scales, we were full of fuel (we have a transfer tank that holds 100 gals, and the two factory tanks, which is why the drive axle weight is high), tanks in 5th wheel were full, etc. It is all within the limits by the book, but most important, I have no problem towing at all and the rig feels and responses fine, (when your on the road this much, you have those "near misses" and I have never had problems with control). The only thing I did do, after much resereach, I had installed the ride-rite air suspension. It allows you the level your rig for level towing, which is the most important thing. I also have 85 hp chip, K&N intake, and exhaust system. I can keep up with the best of them climding Mount Eagle and down the back side.

We've been on the road since Dec 2005, and love it and would not trade it for anything (the wife loves to have less to clean, our house was 2400 sq ft with a finished full basement). We did try it for almost a year before we sold everything in Nov. 2006, and have not regretted it at all.

God bless and Happy traveling
Mike

[d2reid]

Welcome Scott,

Like you we are right on the edge with our vehicle numbers. We have a 36RD5S pulled by a 2005 Chevy Duramax/Allison Dually. If I were rich I would probably buy a bigger truck. As it is, we balance our weights with prudence. We took a trip through the hills of Ten/NC/VA. I learned a new dirty word "9% grade". Thats were weight became a real issue for us. Fortunately I have some experience in mountains so we made out ok. Slowed traffic some, but nothing broke and nobody got hurt. I am also in the process of tyring to get an appropriate exhaust brake for my truck.

When we go full time we will probably over gross. Knowing that is the case I will take precautions in my driving to preclude a catastrophe. Knowledge is power, and because you are studying the problem and discussing it with others you are on the right track. We all make decisions, there are no decisions made without risk, hopefully all of our decisions have acceptable risk accounted for.

Dallas