If you google the same thing for 2016, then compare the payload numbers to the actual specs on the ford website for the MY 2016 F350, you'll see the numbers you get from google are horse****. The numbers will be what they will be. I really hope that people who would consider jumping ship from Ford because Dodge or GM come out with higher rated stuff would go sooner rather than later. I've always watched Fords outperform the other trucks when put to the test in real world working conditions. And where I work in Alaskan oilfields on the arctic ocean, the other trucks have been bought and tried, and they've all failed. Ford is the only truck that can take the extremes.

 

If you go to the following link:

2016 Ford Super Duty | View Payload Specifications | Ford.com

I think that you'll see that the maximum payload on a 2016 F350, DRW, 4x2 is 7050 lbs. So we have to see how they distribute the total pounds the 2017 can carry (payload) and tow. Then we'll see how much the 2017 has improved.

 

While what you say may be completely true, the legal aspect is also completely true. If you crash, and you are overweight, you will be liable, and you will pay. Doesn't matter how great the truck can perform overweight. I've got a 2015 2500 right now, and while I know it can pull more than it's rated for, I don't want to find out what happens if I have an accident pulling something with an unloaded weight heavier than the GCVWR.

In that regard, the numbers are more important than what they can do "real world".

 

Actually, Google's numbers were in pounds, not horse#@$:-)

 

I tend to agree, but I also think there are some situations where moderate overloading is OK. If you are way up in rural Alaska with very little traffic, so what if you're a few hundred pounds over. Towing an RV up a busy interstate highway? Yeah, then more people are at risk and more law enforcement is around to make your life less pleasant. So just be smart about it.

 

There is a big difference in being 400 lbs overweight and 4000 lbs overweight too. In all actuality, in a serious accident, it may be hard to prove someone was 400 lbs overweight. That's only 3% of an 11,500 lb GVWR.

 

That was my point - you need to be smart about it. As you mention, the variation away from rated GVWR is important. Overloading a dually by a thousand pounds in more forgivable than overloading an F-150 by a thousand pounds.

 

Exactly! I'm likely over my payload in my F250 (1999 lbs on the sticker) by a few hundred lbs when towing my fiver, but I don't sweat it because of the capabilities compared to an F150. It's all relative. I'm 20 lbs overweight, but it's not near as noticeable as if my 7 year old was 20 lbs overweight.

 

Most of us have had experience with over loaded vehicles at one time or another. My '71 F150 with a full load of green oak firewood would wander an entire lane at 30 mph. My '78 F350 flatbed with 2 extra rear springs could haul 3 tons of crushed stone and not even appear overloaded. Common sense and a heads up ability to drive makes all the difference. And then I have seen at least 5 or 6 large RV trailers destroyed on the interstates with their truck upside down and backward, underwear and bras hanging from the trees for who knows what reasons but I could almost guarantee it is something the operator of the rv was responsible for whether it be an inadequate tow vehicle or weight balance within the trailer, speed, lane change, not checking mirrors adequately or in many cases, tire pressure. All contribute to control and overweight vehicles are more difficult and require a keen set of driving skills to safely operate. And this is why weight ratings are usually substantially lower than the vehicles ability so there is a margin of safety and reduced liability to the manufacturer as the numbers approach the real unsafe to drive point.

 

You will not pay if you are overweight and crash. Your insurance will. They pay when you speed, when you drive drunk, and a plethora of other scenarios where you are breaking the law when you crash. Being overweight is no different. Your rates will go up afterward but they will pay. On top of that, the only two ratings considered by the law in determining cause/fault if you are in an extremely rare overweight accident is axle and tire ratings. Everything else are numbers set by Ford as guidelines and means to void your warranty in a case of heavy abuse.

 

I agree that the insurance will pay regardless of your negligence, but only up to your limits of liability. And it would be naive to believe that a sharp attorney would not look at every factor in a personal injury/death suit in order to take everything you currently own and will ever make over the rest of your life if he thinks you or the manufacturer can help line his pockets and gain the most for his client.

 

I don't fear things more rare than getting struck by lightning. (Literally, Google it...) Others are free to and hide in their basement if they feel it's necessary LOL. I just choose not to live my life that way. It's not right or wrong and I'm not judging. I just worry a lot less than a lot of more conservative folks here and on the RV forums.

 

Maybe these rigs were being towed by pickups with bench seats and a little road lovin' was going on...lol

 

Ha Ha Ha Believe me, spend several years perched in the drivers seat of a cabover KW and you will have seen it all.

And Karl4Cat I am the same in many ways. I am not afraid to cross the boundaries and color outside the lines. But I also need to be aware when I do and by how much risk I can tolerate. Oftentimes more than I should but I will never hunker down in the basement out of fear and I will always maintain a keen lookout for my vulnerabilities and recognize their presence.