2003 FORD SUPER DUTY towing capacity

•GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
SafetyCertification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
•GCW (Gross Combined Weight):The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo) and the loaded trailer.
•GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum allowable
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer.
•Maximum Trailer Weight Rating:Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined bysubtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, anyrequired option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
•Maximum Trailer Weight:Maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle, including occupants and cargo, is permitted to tow. It is
determined bysubtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
•Trailer Weight Range:Specified range of trailer weight from zero to
the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
The SafetyCertification Label, located on the driver’s door pillar, lists
vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding anyadditional equipment,
refer to these limitations.
Always ensure that the weight of occupants, cargo and equipment is
within the weight limitations, including both gross vehicle weight and
front and rear gross axle weight rating limits.
Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Exceeding anyvehicle weight rating limitation could result in
serious damage to the vehicle, loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover, and/or personal injury.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because theymaylower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
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126

Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, see thePreparing to drive your vehiclesection in
this chapter.
Loaded vehicles mayhandle differentlythan unloaded vehicles.
Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and increased stopping
distance, should be taken when driving a heavilyloaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people mayraise the center of gravityof the vehicle.
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum GCWR chart (in theTrailer Towing
section in this chapter) for your type of engine and rear axle ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle without cargo. To obtain correct weights, take your
vehicle to a shipping companyor an inspection station for trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded weight from the maximum GCWR in the chart.
This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. It must be
below the maximum trailer weight shown in the chart.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle maytow a Conventional/Class IV trailer or fifth wheel trailer
provided the maximum trailer weight is less than or equal to the
maximum trailer weight listed for your engine and rear axle ratio on the
following charts.
2nd unit bodies are not included in maximum trailer weight ratings. The
weight of the additional “body” must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
Your vehicle’s load capacityis designated byweight, not byvolume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefullyprior to and after anytowing operation. The
following trailer towing charts applyto vehicles equipped with gasoline
engines; for Diesel engines, refer to the7.3 Liter Power Stroke Direct
Injection Turbo Diesel Supplement.
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127

Book. These instructions are available through your Ford dealer; they
include the list of vehicle models recommended for snowplowing and
snowplow weight limits. Use of the Snowplow Package Option, or its
equivalent, along with these instructions will help avoid possible
powertrain and chassis damage from snowplowing.
The front and rear GAWR, GVWR, Total AccessoryReserve Capacity
(TARC) and tire inflation pressures are found on the SafetyCompliance
Certification Label located on one of the vehicle’s door jambs. This label
is applied to all vehicles completed byFord Motor Company. Incomplete
vehicles built byFord Motor Companywill have an Incomplete Vehicle
Label in place of the SafetyCompliance Label. The TARC does not apply
to Incomplete Vehicles and will not be shown on the Incomplete Vehicle
Label. The weight of the vehicle with occupants must never exceed the
front and rear GAWR or the GVWR.
The TARC is the weight of the permanentlyattached equipment that can
be added to the vehicle without violating the vehicle’s SafetyCompliance
Certification. This includes the snowplow mounting hardware but does
not include the removable portion of the snowplow assembly.
Installing the snowplow
Read the following instructions before installing a snowplow:
•Front GAWR must not exceed 63% of the GVW. Add ballast weight to
the back of the vehicle, if necessary. Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label to find your vehicle’s front GAWR.
•
The Front Axle AccessoryReserve Capacityand the TARC listed on the
bottom right of the SafetyCompliance Certification Label will determine
whether or not the addition of a snowplow will overload your vehicle.
•The weight of the snowplow and supporting components distributed to
the front axle must not exceed the Front Axle AccessoryReserve
Capacity.
•The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must
not exceed the TARC.
•The weight of the installed snowplow and aftermarket equipment must
not load the vehicle beyond the GAWR (front/rear) and GVWR listed
on the SafetyCompliance Certification Label.
•The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must be
considered part of the payload and must not exceed the GCWR for
towing.
•Federal and most local regulations require additional exterior lamps
for snowplow-equipped vehicles. Consult your dealer for additional
information.
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149

fluid, refill capacity................228
fluid, specifications .........232, 235
Power Windows ...........................47
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................105
R
Radio ..........................17–18, 21, 25
Relays ........................................154
Remote entrysystem .................58
illuminated entry......................60
locking/unlocking doors ...........56
Reverse sensing system ...........111
Roadside assistance ..................152
S
Safetybelts (see Safety
restraints) ........................68–71, 73
Safetydefects, reporting ..........183
Safetyrestraints ....................68–73
belt minder ...............................74
cleaning the safetybelts ..........78
extension assembly..................78
for adults .............................69–71
for children .........................87–88
warning light and chime ..........74
Safetyseats for children ............90
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................68
Seats ............................................63
child safetyseats ......................90
cleaning ...................................188
Servicing your vehicle ..............191
Snowplowing .................6, 148–150Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........159
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................228, 235
Special notice ................................7
ambulance conversions ..............6
diesel-powered vehicles .............6
four-wheel drive vehicles .......151
utility-type vehicles ....................6
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................232, 235
Speed control ..............................48
Starting your vehicle ....98–99, 101
jump starting ..........................168
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................45
T
Tailgate ........................................55
Tires ...................................221–223
changing ..........................159, 161
checking the pressure ............223
replacing ..................................226
rotating ....................................224
snow tires and chains ............227
tire grades ...............................222
treadwear ................................222
Towing .......................................127
trailer towing ..........................127
wrecker ....................................173
Traction-lok rear axle ...............105
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................220
Transmission
automatic operation ...............106
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................216
Index
253