I'm hoping someone can tell me if I'm missing something here. I'm trying to determine how large of a travel trailer I can tow and am confused on vehicle loading. My truck Spec:

2018 F250 Lariat
GVWR 10K
3.55 / SRW
Crew Cab
Short Bed

The Tire loading sticker on my door says not to exceed 2219 lbs of combined "cargo" and passengers. However the Specification sheet on the Ford website for my 2018 states there is a 3450 lb "Payload" capacity with my truck. I would have thought "cargo and passengers" would be the same as "payload," but those two numbers are too far apart for them to be referring to the same thing. Can anyone tell me the difference between the two numbers? (it's relevant for towing when considering hitch weight too). Also, I chatted with a Ford tech support person this afternoon and she was stumped...said she'd have to check with an SME and get back to me via email. Thanks in advance!! Oz

 

 

Goodoz - SDcrewzer is right. Payload is cargo and passengers, or anything weighing down on the suspension of your truck...including the tongue weight of a trailer, stuff you put in the bed, on the roof, on the front bumper, or in the cab. Your 2219 door sticker is the correct one for your truck with configured options. Even though an F-250 and F-350 are essentially the same exact truck, the 250 is limited to a GVWR of 10,000lbs legally by the door sticker. A 350 is 11,400lbs by the door sticker. That gives every F-350 1,400lbs more payload than an identical F-250. This is why many people opt for the 350 over a 250 given the relatively small cost difference between the two. There are a couple of other differences including a slightly softer rear suspension, the 250 might not be equipped with an overload leaf spring, and may have a different axle.

Still, with careful loading of your travel trailer (keeping more weight in the back), you can lighten up your tongue weight enough to keep total payload pretty close. Don't be afraid of overloading your payload by a little bit. Since RV's are not weight-checked like a commercial vehicle would be, some folks just buy a 250, install rear air bag helper springs, and put the same payload on their truck as a 350 would have, since everything else is basically the same. I see zero reason why this would be unsafe, but others will have differing opinions.

 

Hey SDcrewzer -- Thank you! Your explanation makes perfect sense. I'm sure Ford would want to show the best spec numbers on their website. Also, I am pretty sure I was looking at the 6.7L line of spec but all of the other options on the Lariat vs a base XL would certainly account for the door sticker being 1200 lbs less (including the 20" wheels). I will use the door sticker for all load calcs...thanks again! Oz

 

10-4...thanks!

 

Get a load distributing hitch if you don't already have one. It will be a big help towing that trailer especially when near or slightly over max payload.

 

Take your truck and passengers and "stuff" to a CAT scale.
Get that weight.
10000- CAT scale weight = Amount of weight you have left to carry or tongue weight.

 

Thanks--I was discussing those CAT scales with a friend just this morning. We were wondering if "anyone" could use them and if there was a charge for use.

That's a good idea you have to determine remaining weight that can be utilized for tongue weight.

 

Thanks...that item will be purchased with the Travel Trailer (along with checking all of my existing equipment for ratings).

 

I have used them a few times.
You pay $7 for private.
When you push the button and they ask for truck number, you just say private.
Then go in and get your slip like the big boys do.

 

 

I post about this so often over on an RV forum I'm on, I now keep these sites bookmarked just for topics like this:

• Towing Planner - towing capability calculators
• Travel Trailer Weight Calculator
• https://www.huskytow.com/towing-calculator/

All three of these site provide online calculators that you can use to figure out what you should be towing. The first one includes different calculators for figuring it out by your payload sticker and by a CAT scale. Also has a tutorial for how to use a CAT scale. It's gotten a lot easier since CAT introduced their App.

 

Thanks for that info!

 

Thank you...I've been using this guy's calculator but will definitely check these out...There's a link to his calculator in the post description.

 

Keep in mind your axle ratings and tire ratings (at max psi). Once you get your weights from the scale, compare those numbers as well.

Stay within the axle and tire ratings, whichever is less.