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RKW

Four Corners, New Mexico

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Posted: 05/27/23 03:31pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have a 2015 F250. It's has a 6.5 bed, and it's a diesel. Both of those facts mean that the cargo carrying capacity is diminished compared to a long bed gasser. I haul a 5th wheel and it noticeably squats the the truck. After reading THIS article, I'm considering changing the suspension block out for a F350 suspension block, and adding air bags. This being the internet its not likely anyone has an opinion on this, but just in case, thoughts anyone?


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  • KD4UPL

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    Posted: 05/27/23 03:41pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

    There is a lot of things flat out wrong in that article. I stopped reading about half way thru. Whoever wrote it either doesn't know much about trucks or was writing it for an audience that doesn't know much about trucks.
    Forget the suspension block, that gains you nothing but lift. Airbags will help or just getting replacement stronger springs.
    You will need to make sure you don't exceed the weight rating of your rear tires regardless of what badge is on the truck. Also, you don't want to exceed the rear axle weight rating. However, Ford often just makes the rear axle weight rating the same number as the factory tire weights. A little research should get you the actual weight capacity of the axle, not just the tire or truck rating.

    MFL

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    Posted: 05/27/23 04:30pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

    Didn't read the article, but agree with above, no reason to change out the block. Air bags would easily level the truck.

    The LT WT fiver in signature, should not cause much squat to a 250. It would be considered 1/2 ton towable to many.

    Your 250 rear axle, which will carry most all of the pin wt, should be good for 6,000-6200 lbs. The diesel up front will not change RAWR. The truck tires will have at least 6,400 wt rating.

    Jerry





    rjstractor

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    Posted: 05/27/23 07:59pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

    RKW wrote:

    I have a 2015 F250. It's has a 6.5 bed, and it's a diesel. Both of those facts mean that the cargo carrying capacity is diminished compared to a long bed gasser. I haul a 5th wheel and it noticeably squats the the truck. After reading THIS article, I'm considering changing the suspension block out for a F350 suspension block, and adding air bags. This being the internet its not likely anyone has an opinion on this, but just in case, thoughts anyone?


    I agree with the others, many apparent inaccuracies in this article. As we see more articles written using AI technology, we will see fiction becoming truth... but that's a whole 'nother topic. The higher block would help the truck be more level loaded, but airbags would accomplish the same. As far as the larger center diff section goes, IIRC the F250 and F350 SRW diesel models have the same rear axle and the same gear ratio. Also, same frame, brakes, many other parts and pieces. DRW models have options for lower (numerically higher) gear ratios, but those have nothing at all to do with payload. A modern diesel pickup like yours has the power and gearing to easily move huge loads stock out of the box- a fact I'm well aware of as I putt up a mountain pass at 45 mph in my 2000 F250 7.3 diesel moving 20,000 GCW. Your truck would pass me by easily while moving 30K. So, my advice, make sure your tires can take your rear axle weight, and add some bags to level your load.

    Grit dog

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    Posted: 05/28/23 07:25am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

    MFL wrote:

    Didn't read the article, but agree with above, no reason to change out the block. Air bags would easily level the truck.

    The LT WT fiver in signature, should not cause much squat to a 250. It would be considered 1/2 ton towable to many.

    Your 250 rear axle, which will carry most all of the pin wt, should be good for 6,000-6200 lbs. The diesel up front will not change RAWR. The truck tires will have at least 6,400 wt rating.

    Jerry


    Those years are SOFT. Final spring rate is normal but they ride nice empty and are squishy in the first bit of travel.

    And those axles are good for close to 10k not 6k.

    Regardless, OP, this is less about the truck and more about being gullible. Learn to recognize click bait. And also learn just a smidge about your truck and things like leverage. Because your theory why your truck is “squatting” is also flawed.


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    Grit dog

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    Posted: 05/28/23 07:30am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

    And OP you’re getting some halfway true info here. Better than the article but still some confusion in the responses.
    If you wanna beef up the rear suspension a little just add whatever devices out of the plethora available that you think will work best for your scenario.
    IE if the truck only hauls heavy occasionally you may want bags so you can dump them. Or maybe sumo springs.
    Or if you haul heavy primarily then you may want something that adds capacity all the time like an overload or helper spring.
    And the right shocks help a bit with ride.

    * This post was edited 05/28/23 08:52am by Grit dog *

    rhagfo

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    Posted: 05/28/23 07:39am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

    rjstractor wrote:

    RKW wrote:

    I have a 2015 F250. It's has a 6.5 bed, and it's a diesel. Both of those facts mean that the cargo carrying capacity is diminished compared to a long bed gasser. I haul a 5th wheel and it noticeably squats the the truck. After reading THIS article, I'm considering changing the suspension block out for a F350 suspension block, and adding air bags. This being the internet its not likely anyone has an opinion on this, but just in case, thoughts anyone?


    I agree with the others, many apparent inaccuracies in this article. As we see more articles written using AI technology, we will see fiction becoming truth... but that's a whole 'nother topic. The higher block would help the truck be more level loaded, but airbags would accomplish the same. As far as the larger center diff section goes, IIRC the F250 and F350 SRW diesel models have the same rear axle and the same gear ratio. Also, same frame, brakes, many other parts and pieces. DRW models have options for lower (numerically higher) gear ratios, but those have nothing at all to do with payload. A modern diesel pickup like yours has the power and gearing to easily move huge loads stock out of the box- a fact I'm well aware of as I putt up a mountain pass at 45 mph in my 2000 F250 7.3 diesel moving 20,000 GCW. Your truck would pass me by easily while moving 30K. So, my advice, make sure your tires can take your rear axle weight, and add some bags to level your load.


    Yep, that F250 diesel will tow a heavy load at speed easily. Heck my 2001 Ram 2500, 5.9 with 5 speed and 3.55's would pull 21,000# up hills at 55 to 60 yes, it was working. I also was 1,700# over the trucks rated 8,800# GVWR. Now you can add air bags, the spring block out, even put bigger springs on it, BUT the ONE THING you can't change is the Payload sticker or the VIN GVWR sticker.
    If involved in a crash, a hungry lawyer can take the and the owners manual that states many times that it is "UNSAFE" to exceed any of the max ratings.
    I never worried about getting pulled over for my load as the truck sat still a tick tail high with the 5er hooked up. Only suspension add was a set of Bilstein shocks.


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    Cummins12V98

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    Posted: 05/28/23 09:07am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

    AXLE rating is all that matters!!! GVWR is only there for licensing and insurance purposes plain and simple.

    Bags can be a good addition especially for ride comfort, BUT you should never inflate them to make the rear of the truck set higher than the front. You DO want the truck to ride on the overloads. I know some disagree but that is what they are there for and keeps the up and down bouncing to a minimum.


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    spoon059

    Just north of D.C.

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    Posted: 05/28/23 12:33pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

    rhagfo wrote:

    BUT the ONE THING you can't change is the Payload sticker or the VIN GVWR sticker.
    If involved in a crash, a hungry lawyer can take the and the owners manual that states many times that it is "UNSAFE" to exceed any of the max ratings.
    I never worried about getting pulled over for my load as the truck sat still a tick tail high with the 5er hooked up. Only suspension add was a set of Bilstein shocks.

    The payload sticker is for marketing purposes only and carries no legal weight. The GVWR is meant to give a guide for registration and carries no legal weight.

    If you are within the weight of your lowest rated component, you are fine. Your brakes are rated for more than the F250 rating. Your axle, engine, transmission, frame, wheel studs, wheels/tires (assuming 18", not 17"), cooling system, etc are all rated for more than the F250 rating.

    The class 2B rating is an arbitrary weight for registration purposes in some states. In Maryland, the 10,000 lbs rating is the line between what can drive in the left lane of some highways and what can't. Its the line between what you can drive through some neighborhoods and what you can't. It is nothing more than a number.

    Your truck is not going to explode over that number, nor are you inherently "less safe" if you carry 11,000 lbs instead of 10k lbs.

    Much more important are things like the condition of your brakes, your tires, the speed you were traveling, were you distracted (eating food? talking on phone? looking at the dog?) Did you fail to pay full time and attention to the road? When was the last time you changed your brake fluid? What have you done to keep your reaction time quick as you age? How old is that prescription in your glasses? Does that heart medicine warn you about driving?

    Arguing that an F250 is somehow less capable than a SRW F350 because of advertising specs is a very weak argument. There is SO much other stuff that is much more relevant and is glossed over every day on this forum...


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    Cummins12V98

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    Posted: 05/28/23 01:58pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

    "The payload sticker is for marketing purposes only and carries no legal weight. The GVWR is meant to give a guide for registration and carries no legal weight."

    CORRECT!!!

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