common misconception / air bags

[transamz9]

Originally Posted by ironj

Here is the 'final' word i got straight from ford. They didnt confirm or deny any speculation i had, but here is their 'answer'...

Basically they said ' here is the info you need' and sent us this to decipher

Looks like the differences in the 250 and 350SRW is tire size and added springs.

Look at the difference between the 350 SRW with 17" wheels and the SRW with 18-20" wheels. The tire capacities are the main killers.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by transamz9

This is the NAPA part # for the rear rotors on your truck and also the 3500HD SRW.(NB 4886828) Same rotors. I just looked up the front ball joints , upper and lower control arm........all the same between your truck and a SRW 3500.

I would really like to believe this. My "too good to be true" light is "On Steady." It may explain why so many folks towing 15,000 pound campers are not broken down on the highway more often.

It could also just be a testament on how well built their C frame is.

[mike06081969]

I've pulled my fifth wheel with and without the air bags. The air bags are worth the money. I agree they don't increase the amount of weight you can carry, but they definitely increase the safety of carrying the heavier loads within your GVWR. It is like night and day the difference.

[transamz9]

Originally Posted by herk7769

I would really like to believe this. My "too good to be true" light is "On Steady." It may explain why so many folks towing 15,000 pound campers are not broken down on the highway more often.

It could also just be a testament on how well built their C frame is.

My '05 2500 has a box frame. My '10 3500 CC has a C frame. You should know as a pilot that it's not the material that is used, it's how it's used and braced that makes the biggest difference.

[ironj]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Would love to see something like that Ford document for the GMC.

Im sure its out there, but i aint got it!.... my last gmc was a mid 90s model sierra 1500 with a crate 502....this ford is my first jaunt into the 3/4 ton diesel world....im stil a member on some chevy forums......ill see if i can drum ya up something....stay tuned

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by transamz9

My '05 2500 has a box frame. My '10 3500 CC has a C frame. You should know as a pilot that it's not the material that is used, it's how it's used and braced that makes the biggest difference.

No matter how well shaped or braced, I will take steel over cardboard any day, pilot or not.

Going to bed. Night everyone.

[MotocrossCamper]

I'm not a huge fan of entering these vehicle weight discussions but i don't care what anybody says, that final number on your sticker is set by a lawyer. When I used to work at a suspension shop where all we did was replace leaf springs, coil Springs, rear/front ends and install lift kits (we installed the lifts for GM that you can now get on a car lot as a factory option), from my experience there is not a big difference between a 1/2 Ton and a 1 ton. It takes about a half a day to turn a half ton pickup into a 1 ton, and that includes welding in plates to box the frame. (granted todays frames are not near as easy) This was in the late 90s early 2000, when the new lifts came out for the new Chevy body styles, we were told by General Motors that the numbers on a half ton Chevy truck, including the hitch capacity, was rated at roughly 55 to 60% of what the truck and hitch could actually haul. It's not too hard for me to believe that to get the final numbers a three-quarter ton pickup would be roughly 75% capacity and a 1 ton would be 90% capacity. I take grief for it all the time, but that is why I haul what I haul behind my motor home. I know I'm overweight according to the sticker, but I still use common sense and I also know that I am nowhere near what the chassis is capable of handling.