Fleet Trucks

I get asked a lot of times questions like: “What does the 5.4 engine (metric) is in Cubic Inches?” So I am including this little tool to make it easier. I will be bringing in more conversion tools to this post. Enjoy.

Click here to go to the conversion page

I thought this would be important to some people:

Chassis Dimensions

Designations commonly used to describe a truck and its components. See illustration below.

	AF =	Axle to End of Frame
	BA =	Bumper to Axle
	BBC =	Bumper to Back of Cab
	BL =	Body Length
	CA =	Cab to Axle
	CB =	Cab to Body
	CE =	Cab to End of Frame
	FH =	Frame Height
	LA =	Load to Axle
	OAL =	Overall Length
	WB =	Wheelbase

For additional truck glossary information visit: http://www.ntea.com/tr/glossary.asp

A lot of activity has been going around lately with the car hauling/transportation business.  Several of my clients have reported that this is an excellent and profitable business and I would like to share this info with anyone who is thinking of getting into it.

“I researched more information about the needs that you have for your car hauling business. Based on the fact that your trailer has a GWR (Gross Weight Rating= weight of trailer + maximum amount of load) is 24900, an F-650 would be probably overkill. The reason is that the f-650 will tow 30K so would be paying for an extra 5000 lbs of towing that will not be used. I am not saying you should not consider it, but if your expense budget is narrower then the F-550 may be a choice to consider.

The weight of this type of  trailer, when empty, is about 7,000 lbs, so that leaves a little under 18K lbs for  vehicles.  Here is an estimated curb weight chart for most vehicles 

TYPE OF VEHICLE

EXAMPLE

APPROXIMATE CURB WEIGHT

SUBCOMPACT

Yaris, V.W. Beetle, Neon

2000 to 2500 LBS

COMPACT

Focus, Fusion, Malibu

2300 TO 2800 LBS

MID-SIZE

Taurus, Camry, Mustang

3100 to 3600 LBS

FULL SIZE CAR

Crown Vic-

4100 lbs to 4800 lbs

PICK UP TRUCK

F150-F250

5100 LBS TO 6200 LBS

The F-550 and it can tow up to 23,900 lbs for the Crew Cab model and up to 24,400 lbs for the regular cab model when equipped with the high capacity towing package and the 4.88 rear end.

The F-450 can tow up to 20,900 lbs also equipped with the high capacity towing package and the 4.88 rear end. Also I wanted to talk to you about air brakes which are optional and only available on the F-650 or higher. You may or may not know but air brakes require more maintenance and knowledge and also if you get a vehicle with a GVWR of over 26K (F650 or higher) you require a Commercial Drivers License.

You may want to read the following article about Air Brakes: http://www.flxibleowners.org/flxbk/airbrks.htm. I know that several people in the same business, have purchased F450′S  for that purpose.  Their net cost ranges from mid 30K to high 40K depending on factory options. F550’s Crew Cab range from the  High 30K’s to the low 50K’s also depending on equipment. I f you have any further questions or want me to send more specific information, please do not hesitate to ask, I will be glad to help. Sincerely,Henry Cifuentes.

If you’ve never trailered a boat, there are several things you need to consider. First is the towing capacity of your car, truck or SUV. You can find this information in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Generally, small family sedans are not suitable for towing, although a small, aluminum fishing boat may not present a problem, provided you have appropriate towing equipment installed on the car. Most standard pick-up trucks and SUVs can trailer boats up to 25 feet, but again, consult your vehicle owner’s manual for limitations…

Find out more at :

 http://www.discoverboating.com/owning/towing.aspx

GVWR (pronounced as it is spelled,; G-V-W-R) It’s a vehicles’s manufature’s rating of  how much weight it is designed to carry. The GVWR includes the net weight of the vehicle, plus the weight of passengers, fuel, cargo and any additional accessories. This meassurement is a safety standard used to prevent overloading.

Here are a few more vehicle weight terminology:

(GCWR) Gross Combined Weight Rating
The maximum a vehicle plus its trailer - including cargo, fuel, and passengers - can weigh without being overloaded.

(GAWR) Gross Axle Weight Rating
The maximum weight an axle is rated to carry. It includes the weight of the axle.

Tow Rating
The manufacturer’s figure for the maximum trailer weight a vehicle is rated to tow.

Axle Weight
The weight of an individual tow vehicle’s axle, or the weight of a trailer’s axle (or axles), but does not include the trailer’s tongue weight.

Base Curb Weight
This is the weight of the empty vehicle (with a full fuel tank and the standard equipment)

Cargo Weight
The cargo weight is the base curb weight, plus any additional weight that is added to that (such as the trailer tonnage weight).

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight
This is the maximum weight of your (fully loaded) trailer that your truck can tow.

Tonnage Weight
The amount of weight that pushes down on the trailer hitch.

Tow Weight
This is a rating by the manufacturer for how much combined weight the truck can pull with a loaded trailer. (tonnage weight and GCVR)

If you have any doubts about the weight of your load, there are public scales used by truck drivers located at most truck stops. Be sure to have your loaded vehicle weighed before you begin your trip.

Types of Hitches and Cargo Weights

Hitches are rated as follows:

C= ClassGTW=Gross Trailer Weight

TW=Tongue Weight

C=I
GTW =up to 2,000 lbs
TW =up to 200 lbs

C=II
GTW =up to 3,500 lbs
TW =up to 300 lbs

C=III
GTW = up to 5,000 lbs
TW =up to 500 lbs

C=IV
GTW =up to 10,000 lbs
TW =up to 1,000 lbs

There are two types of hitches: weight carrying and weight distributing.

Weight Carrying hitches:
These hitches attach to the frame of the towing vehicle and provide a connection point between the towing vehicle and whatever you are towing. Weight carrying hitches support all of the trailer tongue weight so they are best suited for small to medium sized loads.

Weight Distributing hitches:
These hitches are recommended for heavier trailers. Weight distributing hitches will even out the trailer load between the wheels of the tow vehicle and the wheels of the trailer. You will experience improved steering and brake control.

Bumper Hitches

• The bumper/frame hitch is also good for light towing, however it has one serious drawback: It tends to reduce the energy-absorbing benefits of most modern bumpers.
• The step bumper also relies on solid attachment points on the frame. Beware of aftermarket step bumpers that have no frame attachment points.
• Another undesirable hitch is the bumper-mount hitch. Most automotive manufacturers do not recommend using this hitch, because modern bumpers aren’t designed for towing.

Receiver Hitches

• The ball mount (also called ball platform) is removable when the hitch is not being used. This leaves the hitch’s opening about even with your bumper.
• The most popular style of hitch and is what you see on most trucks, SUV’s, RV’s and vans.
• Best choice when using bike racks, ski racks, cargo racks.
• Available with two size openings, 1 1/4″ and 2″.
• Class I and II receiver style hitches can only be used for towing as a weight carrying hitch.
• Class III and IV receiver style hitches can be used either as a weight carrying hitch or as a weight distributing hitch when a weight distribution system is added.
• Receivers can also be installed on the front of your vehicle to make launching and recovering boats easier, to attach bike racks while you are towing a trailer or to mount a winch.

Gooseneck Hitches / 5th Wheel HitchesFifth Wheel Hitches and Gooseneck Hitches are special hitches mounted through the bed of your truck to brackets or the vehicle’s frame.