I need a little help understanding the payload rating changes of the F350 DRW's over the years. Why? Well... let me explain. I have a 2001 F350 DRW crew cab 4X4 with the 7.3 diesel. To the best of my knowledge it has been built to carry the max payload Ford offered for that model year. About a year ago I decided to buy a truck camper so I visited several dealers looking for one that satisfied our needs. We settled on a 2002 Lear model 1161 which happens to be the heaviest camper Lear offered then. The dealer asked me what kind of truck I had and assured me that my truck was more than capable of carrying just about anything I could load into it. He referred me to a YouTube posting about a truck identical to mine which was being outfitted to carry a Chalet camper quite a bit heavier than the Lance. The video described what the owner had done to his truck - and camper - to get ready for a 2 year trip. I contacted the person who did the posting to inquire as to how the truck performed and he said great. So... based on his experience and the advice of the dealer I purchased the camper. The truck seemed to handle it fine during a Florida trip last winter. After returning I decided to weigh the truck both with and without the camper. Unfortunately I don't have the actual numbers in front of me, but I was amazed that I was actually more than 2000 pounds OVER the recommended GVWR!!! Holy %$#&! I called the RV dealer and told him about my concern and he assured me that my truck is more than capable. I began to investigate later model years of the same truck and was surprised to see how much the payload capacities increased over the years. So it got me wondering... What REALLY changed from year-to-year to allow these later model year trucks to carry more weight? Anybody know? Also, given the serious money to buy a newer truck, I'm wondering what I can do to increase my payload. I know I can look at springs, airbags and sway bars which will help but is there anything else I can do? Thanks in advance for your input!

 

I can't help with your question specifically, I am new to the super duty line of trucks.

However, I can say this, while you are probably OK with it, you run the risk of problems, especially in unexpected situations. I assume they rate it with things in mind like how much your brakes are expected to hold, amongst other things.

Beyond that, you can get fined for being over the GVWR if someone were to decide to weigh your setup.

 

Among other changes over the years, in 2005 there were major changes to the frame, suspension, brakes, etc which increased capacity. Here is a pretty good page on Wikipedia which details many of the changes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Super_Duty

 

I don't know what the law is like in your area but in this part of the world ( British Columbia, Canada) if you are over your gvw and get in an accident you are in a world of trouble. Also, if you are sagging in the back it is an invitation to get pulled over and finned for being over weight.

 

You WILL NOT get fined if you are hauling an RV for yourself. All states are different but all the ones I know of RV for PRIVATE use are exempt from most weight rules. The sticker ON YOU TRUCK IS NOT the legal limit for your truck. It is what you have it licence to is your legal limit, then tire and axle max. Again, depending on the state, you may or may not be under these rules when towing an RV for private use

 

Sometime diesel truck owners overlook the weight of a diesel truck (much heavier engine, additional engine suspensions ,diesel -only related components , second battery& alternator,exhaust fluid, etc) , it is about 1500 Lbs more than a comparable gas engine. If you read the fine line in truck commercials , it always refers to "gas engine equipped truck" as being the "highest payload" .


For the same reason , an F-250 w/diesel engine could tow a very heavy "travel trailer" , but when it comes to towing a 5th wheel , it will not be much of a truck due to its limited payload capacity which was further reduced by the heavy diesel engine and related components.


Please give us feedback on your research and good luck,

 

Don't exceed the axle rating/tire ratings, which ever is lowest.


Register the truck for the weight, based upon a trip over the catscales.


Lots of additional cross members, increased steel strength and increased braking surface, plus more HP/TQ throughout the years.


My 2013 has a GVW of 14K

 

The Diesel engine weighs less than 1000 lbs, how can it be 1500lbs heaverier?

 

No, it is not that much heavier.

 

All weights listed on the door jamb sticker are absolutely, positively LEGAL weight limits as required by the feds. The sticker lists front axle limits, rear axle limits and GVWR, all of which should not be exceeded. There is no way to legally increase these ratings. But as others have said, you most likely will never be pulled over for a weight check while carrying your slide in, however I have seen and been part of surprise weight checks along some local roads. They were stopping all trucks regardless of what they were hauling or towing.
When you can give us the numbers on your door jamb sticker and the actual weights of empty truck and loaded truck. We will be happy to help.
Things that changed over the years, especially in '05 were stronger frame, bigger brakes and rotors, better axles and more Hp and torque.

 

I'm not sure about Michigan's weight laws but in Iowa the only thing that the DOT really cares about is how much the truck is licensed for.... They never look at any numbers on the truck just the registration papers, honestly far as I know you can license a f150 for 18 tons and be legal here, but if you were in the accident with the truck severely overloaded the insurance might not be very happy about that.... I honestly have never heard of a camper being pulled over and weighed for what is worth.... And literally everybody I know that pulls a camper has the minimum weight license on their truck 4tons. You aren't going to hurt your truck, I've had as much weight or more on the 2 5/16 gooseneck ball on my truck and it's a SRW.


I do have an extra liability insurance policy to cover farm stuff like this if my normal truck insurance backs out though.

Edit, that's at my best guess almost 7,000lbs pin weight.

 

It's so confusing and there is no consistency when going to the scales. When I got pulled over the officer asked me to open my door and looked at my door jamb sticker then looked at my weight class sticker then looked at my registration card, then went back to the trailer and looked to see if my chains were crossed. Came back to me and said everything is ok, have a nice day, never got the scales out or anything. Then there are other times when not towing, got waved over and the officer just looked at my windshield sticker, saw the inspection sticker but no emissions sticker but realized I have a Diesel and waved me on. (Diesel's do not need a emissions sticker in PA)
Technically I need a DOT number and a Class 10 weight class sticker. The DOT number is free but the sticker is over $600 a year. I will keep my Class 5 for now.
My brother used to have a F150 and is also a carpenter/contractor. The PA State troopers had a weight stop set up on a local road and he got pulled over, rolled up on the portable scales and was 600lbs overweight. I had to come to help him put some of his tools in my truck because the Troopers would not let him go until he was legal. He was not only overweight but out of inspection. He didn't bother getting his truck inspected because he had ordered a brand new F350 and was on his way home to unload his tools and pick up his new truck the next day, total fine was just over $2000.
I am not really concerned with DOT weigh stations but it's the local Police that worry me, those are the guys who will invent an infraction just to give you a fine, like no valve stem caps, don't laugh it's happened, heard that story last fall when i attended a PA weight class seminar.

 

You're stories sound more like the local authorities enforcing your state inspection/emissions requirements.

 

Even though I'm a libertarian I'm concerned by some of the responses here. You can register a vehicle under it's factory GVWR, but not over. Yes, the truck will move the load, and under the proper conditions, may even do so with an acceptable degree or risk. However, you can't do this legally without some unlikely and specific exemption permits. Also keep in mind you can be overweight by exceeding any of the axle ratings or gross combined weight ratings. Payload is probably 2nd to speeding for most abused law. The best thing to do is know your payload and then pick your truck. It should be the first question you ask if your sales rep doesn't ask you.

 

actually you can register for any weight you want, providing you are willing to pay and have the proper inspections.