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Things To Know About Weights
Gross Combination Weight (GCW)
is the weight of the loaded vehicle (GVW) plus the weight of the
fully loaded trailer. It is the actual weight obtained when the
vehicle and trailer are weighed together on a scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
is the maximum allowable weight of the towing vehicle and the
loaded trailer – including all cargo and passengers – that the
vehicle can handle without risking damage. (Important: The
towing vehicle’s brake system is rated for operation at the
GVWR – NOT GCWR. Separate functional brake systems should
be used for safe control of towed vehicles and for trailers
weighing more than 1,500 lbs. when loaded.) The measured
GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight
(as shown in the Trailer Towing Selector charts pages 17-25) is
the highest possible weight of a fully loaded trailer the vehicle
can tow, based on a minimum towing vehicle GVW. It assumes a
towing vehicle with any mandatory options, no cargo, tongue load
of 10-15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15-25%
(fifth-wheel trailer), and driver only (150 lbs.). F-Series Super
Duty chassis cab models also assume a second-unit body weight
of 1,000 lbs. Weight of additional options, passengers, cargo and
hitch must be deducted from this weight.
Metric Conversion – To obtain information in kilograms, multiply pounds by .45.
31
AXLE RATIOS
Non-Limited Slip Limited Slip
Vehicle Rear Axle Ratio Rear Axle Code Rear Axle Code
Super Duty 3.73 37 3L
4.10 41 4N/4W*
4.30 43 4L
4.88 48 8L
5.38 53 5L
F-150 3.31 27 Not Available
3.55 19 H9
3.73 26 B6
4.10 25 B5
Ranger 3.55 95 R5
3.73 86/96 F6/R6
4.10 87/97 R7/R8
Explorer 3.55 45 Not Available
3.73 46 Not Available
Sport Trac 3.55 45 Not Available
3.73 46 Not Available
Expedition 3.31 15 Not Available
3.73 16 H6
E-Series 3.55 29/39 Not Available
3.73 24/34 B4/C4
4.10 22/32/52/56/82 B2/C2/E2/E6/F2
4.56 83 F3
Motorhome 5.38 53 Not Available
Chassis
6.17 61 Not Available
*Wide rear axle on F-350 Chassis cab with Ambulance Package
How to Find Your Truck’s Axle Ratio
If you do not know the axle ratio of your vehicle, check its Truck
Safety Compliance Certification Label (located on the left front
door lock facing or the door latch post pillar). Below the bar
code, you will see the word AXLE and a two-digit code. Use this
chart to find the axle ratio that corresponds to that code:
Sample Truck Safety Compliance Certification Label
(Refer to actual label on your vehicle)
GVWR
Rear GAWR
Front GAWR
Tongue Load or Fifth-Wheel King Pin Weight
is another critical measurement that must be made before towing.
It refers to the amount of the trailer’s weight that presses down on
the trailer hitch. Too much tongue load or king pin weight can cause
suspension/drivetrain damage, and can press the vehicle down in
back causing the front wheels to lift to the point where traction,
steering response and braking can be severely decreased. Too little
tongue load or king pin weight can reduce rear-wheel traction and
cause instability, which may result in tail wagging or jackknifing.
Tongue load or king pin weights must meet the following
requirements:*
– For trailers up to 2,000 lbs., tongue load not to exceed 200 lbs.
– For conventional trailers over 2,000 lbs., tongue load 10-
15% of loaded trailer weight.
– For fifth-wheel trailers, king pin weight 15-25% of loaded
trailer weight.
Examples: For a 5,000-lb. conventional trailer, multiply 5,000 by
.10 and .15 to obtain a proper tongue load range of 500 to 750
lbs. For an 11,500-lb. fifth-wheel trailer, multiplying 11,500 by .15
and .25 yields a king pin weight range of 1,725 to 2,875 lbs.
Note: Be sure the addition of tongue load or king pin weight
does not cause the key towing vehicle weight limits (GVWR and
Rear GAWR) to be exceeded. Remember, GVWR and GAWR are
found on the vehicle’s Safety Compliance Certification Label.
If
either of these limits is exceeded, you should go with a larger
vehicle or a smaller trailer.
* Refer to the chart on page 29 for tongue load recommendations with Ford factory-
installed rear step bumpers and trailer hitch receivers.