New Math on 3500 single wheel GVW when compared to 2nd Gen 2500?

[hammersley]

Ok I asked this question on the 24 valve site and nobody except Steve mentioned anything - so here goes...



I was over the other night looking at the new 2003 rigs, fun - not to buy! I looked at a 2003 single wheel 3500( Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins, 6spd -loaded) which had a GVW of 9900 lb. I noticed on the door sticker that the rear axle capacity was 6150 lbs, and the front was 5200 lbs. My 2001 has a 6084 Rear 5200 front! That's a difference of 66 lbs NOT 1100!!! Where does the extra GVW (9900 vs my 8800) come from? Is this new math or is the unsprung weight that much different???

 

[Casey Balvert]

Spring capacity figures into it as well. The main difference in the one ton and the 3/4 ton is in the springs not the axle capacity.

 

[Un-Hemi]

6150 + 5200 does not equal 9900, so there are other factors involved.

 

[Bigramguy]

To put it simply.



GAWR is how much weight an axle can be loaded with,and is based more on axle,tire and spring capacity.



GVWR is the total max weight of truck and cargo,and takes into account,frame strength,and total braking capacity,other safety factors,etc



FGAWR and RGAWR will rarely equal the GWVR. The extra is there for balance,so you can carry more weight over one axle,usually the rear,but you still shouldn't exceed the GVWR.



The increase for the GVWR for the 03's is probably due to better brakes,and the stronger frame. The GVWR's always seem to be on the conservative side,maybe now they are just raising them to attract buyers.

 

[BV]

Ratings

What they said - It always amused me how the could rate the axles at 6k and 5k but the GVWR = 8800.

Also notice that on the older 2500's that the rear axle is rated at the tire rating times 2 (3042 x 2 = 6084). The only way to rate it higher was to increase the tire rating but on a 3500 with the same axle you have 4 tires so you can bump the rating up - It's a CYA (cover your rear) statement otherwise the 2500 and 3500 axle rating would be the same.