Why is ford's GVWR so much higher?

[WOT]

Ok, a 3500 SRW Dodge only has a GVRW of 9900 lbs. A ford is now 11400 lbs. What is wrong with this picture? I want the Megacab, at 9900 lbs Dodge is saying 2300 lbs of payload - that just plain sucks. 4 adults (600-700 lbs) and a light 5th wheel (maybe 1600 lbs) and you are maxed out.



Looks like I might be forced into a Ford

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

It might be because the running gear of the Fords is about the same in capacity as the Dodges, but the Ford bodies are lighter (weaker?), and leave more weight-carrying capability.



If so, it leaves you with a choice between a lightweight body - or load capacity...

 

[Bertram65]

Good luck with the Ford.

There are certain federal regulations that trucks over 10K lbs GVW have to comply with in terms of emmisions and safety, it must be more expensive to make them comply therefore Dodge limits it to 9900lbs, they cannot get away with it on the dually, that is probably one of the reasons the dually costs a little more. Hopefully Dodge will follow Ford and increase the SRW GVW.

 

[macdaddy]

I would definitely go with Ford, They are much more user friendly and more reliable. They are also as you stated are capable of higher payloads aswell as carry a higher tow rating



Mac

 

[WOT]

macdaddy: I'm waiting for the punchline... .

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I think the punchline is:



NOT!

 

[macdaddy]

Come on guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



UM-Hum



KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jrobinson2]

It might be because the running gear of the Fords is about the same in capacity as the Dodges, but the Ford bodies are lighter (weaker?), and leave more weight-carrying capability.



If so, it leaves you with a choice between a lightweight body - or load capacity...

GVWR is the gross vehicle weight rating, it includes everything, not just the load and is not affected at all by the empty weight.



Jared

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"GVWR is the gross vehicle weight rating, it includes everything, not just the load and is not affected at all by the empty weight. "



YUP - yer right - I wuz thinking load carrying rating...

 

[bodacious]

They have gross of 11400,but they have e rated tires on them which will only carry 3300lb each the same as dodge.

 

[Tim]

3300 x 4 = 13200

 

[Racechaser]

Not true...........

When I bought my '05, there was a SRW 3500 6spd with 3:73's that had a GVW of 12. 2k on the lot, it was printed right on the window sticker. Tomeygun could probably give you specifics. I pondered it but wanted the two extra tires for piece of mind while towing the 5'er.

Matt

 

[LFalconer]

Ford heavied up the frame this year on the S/D, Dodge will do same in 06. Note the 4x2 option for XBC box off application, mid year running change to correct the LWB quad cab box off frame cracking issues. Dodge is releasing a true Chassis Cab in 06 with a new frame.



Roll underneath an 05 Ford and a 05 Dodge - you'll see the difference.



L

 

[BHolm]

The 275/70-18 tires that are showing up on most of the super duties are rated for 3640lbs, several hundred pounds more than our tires. I am sure that is part of the difference.



I know there are a alot of guys that live and die by the factory ratings. I think they are pretty much bunk myself. The d-max trucks are rated for 22k GCVW and my '99 F-350 was only 20k. The Ford would pull 20k better than the Chev would pull 10k. My Dodge's pull 25k better than the Ford pulls 20k. My main concern is that the tires on the truck are suited to the load it is hauling. That is the weak link, not the axles, suspension or frame.

 

[6 2 Carl]

You have to give Ford some credit. They realized that the current payload ratings of pickups are too low. People are hauling heavier trailers, and trucks have steadily increased in weight over the last decade. Ford essentially bumped the ratings up so that a 3/4 ton can hual what a 1 ton srw can, a 1 ton swr can haul what a 1ton dually could, and the 1 ton dually can haul what an f-450 can.



Dodge and Gm better step up to the plate, and do the same, or they will loose alot of the market share. It really isn't that hard to do, just print some different GVW stickers for the door



Carl

 

[SKargo]

Ford heavied up the frame this year on the S/D, Dodge will do same in 06. Note the 4x2 option for XBC box off application, mid year running change to correct the LWB quad cab box off frame cracking issues. Dodge is releasing a true Chassis Cab in 06 with a new frame.



Roll underneath an 05 Ford and a 05 Dodge - you'll see the difference.



L

Where did you get the cab and chassis info? Got a link?

 

[Grizzly]

I think that Dodge is always a little on the conservative side while Furd is always a little on the exaggerated side. I have seen this pattern for years. In an actual experience a friend of my has a 99 Furd/Powerjoke DRW, 6x4 with a 9'-6" Lance cabover camper and when parked side by side to my 95 Dodge/Cummins, DRW, 6x4 with a 11'-3" Lance cabover camper with a 3500 watt generator at the back of the camper, the Furd squatted considerably more that my Dodge. The Furd owner is my son's father-in-law. On a camping trip together, my son who was riding in the Furd noticed that the Furd swayed side to side on the highway where my Dodge does very little. He also noticed that the Furd was having a hard time keeping up with me in the mountains. I was driving very normal the way I alway do going to that mountain site and my Dodge was totally stock. Go figure. Grizzly :-laf

 

[LFalconer]

SKargo, 2 sources:



1. Shade Equipment in Winchester VA, authorized upfitter for Dodge, info came from Indianopolis show last month.



2. Owner of my local dealer, verified same.



My understanding is that the chassis cab will be available in different CA [cab to axle lengths] for different service body applications.



L

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"The Ford would pull 20k better than the Chev would pull 10k. My Dodge's pull 25k better than the Ford pulls 20k"



This non-seguiter, pointless statement, surfaces nearly every time load ratings are discussed. Seems many owners confuse PULLING POWER with LOAD RATING, and simply don't know that one has very little to do with the other!



IF I swap a 1200 HP big-rig engine into my truck, it WILL have more "pulling power" - but do many here REALLY think the load carrying ability has improved any?



Gotta keep our perspectives in line with reality! :-laf :-laf

 

[BHolm]

Gary, You read the sentance but missed the point. IMO the load ratings are no more than an advertising scheme. The real load limits are your tires capacities. The Chevy was rated for more load than the Ford but didn't handle the load nearly as well. In my experience the Dodge handles the loads the best of the three regardless of what the "ratings" are. Like many here I have hauled way over the ratings with no problems. I have had my dually at 28k GCVW several times and pulled that load through the mountains on a triple axle trailer (lots of brakes ). The truck has been easy to drive even under those extreme conditions and loaded well beyond (20% over) its rated capacity. It pulled that load across the plains at 70 mph with the pedal to the floor all day, no problems.



I do not think it is an irrelavant point unless you choose to treat the ratings as the actual limits, which I do not believe is accurate.