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(note, we probably burned about 5 gallons of gas between weighing at 6.3lbs/gallon)
2016 F-450 Ratings
Gross Axle Wt Rating Front 5940 Actual without trailer 5660 Actual with trailer 5360
Gross Axle Wt Rating Rear 9100 Actual without trailer 4340 Actual with trailer 7660
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Cap 14000 Actual without trailer 10,000 Actual with trailer 13,020
Gross Combined Wt Rating 40000 Actual without trailer 10,000 Actual with trailer 24,220
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. 26500 lbs Actual Trailer Wt 14220
2016 Arctic Fox 32-5M GVWR 16500 Actual 14220
B&W Ford Puck Companion Hitch Rating 20000
Tires Goodyear G614 RST, LT235/85 R16 Load Range G (made in the USA yea!)
Does anyone see any areas of particular concern? We are thinking we appear to be OK with this setup for now. The truck is pretty well optioned/modified out and we have added the majority of our living necessities to the trailer. I certainly see us adding more weight to the trailer with nickle & dime stuff and most likely an inverter.
All looks pretty good. You certainly have plenty of truck.
Of course, without knowing individual axle weights and ratings on the trailer, I can't comment on the trailer axles or tires. The G614s are rated for 3,750 at max pressure of 110. You are more than likely fine - just can't give definitive answer without those specific numbers.
My only cause for concern was the front axle of the truck without the trailer versus it with the trailer. I'm guessing your position on the scale the second time through just may have been off a little. But if not, the front axle of the truck should not change much, if at all. According to your numbers, the front axle of the truck is off-loading 300 pounds, so that means your steering could be compromised slightly. That front axle just shouldn't be going down in weight with the trailer on, especially considering your fifth wheel isn't really all that heavy. In weighing a bunch of fifth wheels and trucks, we rarely saw the front axle of the truck off-load more than 50 or 100 pounds even with much heavier rigs than yours. I doubt it's a situation of your fifth wheel hitch being too far behind the rear axle of your truck (having the cantilever effect on the front of the truck), so I'll go with my first hunch that it's just an issue with the scales or position on the scales.
Your fifth wheel is behind the axle centerline to be shifting that much weight off the steer axle. I would shift the fifth ahead a notch(if it's adjustable and you have allowable clearance). That way if anything you can add a bit of weight transfer to the front steer axle.
Your fifth wheel is behind the axle centerline to be shifting that much weight off the steer axle. I would shift the fifth ahead a notch(if it's adjustable and you have allowable clearance). That way if anything you can add a bit of weight transfer to the front steer axle.
With the puck system the hitch position is set from the factory. Possible to be off but I'm thinking it could be a scale issue more then a hitch issue.
I was looking at this picture of the rig the other day and thought the back was squatting too much and the front raised. Perhaps the issue is the hitch needs to be moved forward. I looked and the hitch is as far forward as I can set it. The hitch can be raised.
Does anyone agree that this looks like a problem? Would raising the hitch help any?
Wow, I am so glad I posted and asked this question.
Thanks for the input!
-- Edited by Dave and Denise on Tuesday 21st of June 2016 06:55:56 PM
The squat with your truck is normal for a Ford. To level it out you will need to put air bags on it.
When you say your hitch is as far forward as possible, do you mean you have checked the pivot arms in the hitch itself and they are adjusted to the front. These arms can be moved for 2" of travel front to back. If setting to the back that could be why you lost weight on front axle when trailer added.
The squat with your truck is normal for a Ford. To level it out you will need to put air bags on it.
When you say your hitch is as far forward as possible, do you mean you have checked the pivot arms in the hitch itself and they are adjusted to the front. These arms can be moved for 2" of travel front to back. If setting to the back that could be why you lost weight on front axle when trailer added.
Yes, it appears to me that the pivot arms are set so that they are as forward as possible. A little disappointed that this truck would need air bags to level out. Is it because of the puck/hitch location in the bed? I wonder if this is something I should discuss with Ford...But they may say I didn't use "their" hitch.
Your truck LOOKS just fine!!! Riding LEVEL is good. That is NOT squat. I can tell you that EVERY 350 and 450 that has a heavier RV than you as in 4K pin + does have air bags.
To this day I really don't understand why the 450 only has a 9,100# RAWR?????? My RAM 3500 is rated 9,750#. I will bet the 2017 F350/450 will not have this soft rear axle issue at all.
If your hitch head side supports are full forward and the STRAIGHT edges of the supports are closest to the cab you are indeed Full Forward. If not I advise adjusting.
