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Apologies if this is the wrong forum for this. Started browsing the Ford build your own site again. Always a dangerous thing considering we are close to owning this truck with intentions of keeping it for 5-8 years. The brochure or guide max cargo weights don't align with another published guide. Was browsing both SRW long bed and DRW Long bed Crew Cabs for curiosity and to see the prices.
These numbers do not match the technical specs published by Ford.
Why does everything have to be so complicated? What is the bottom line? That goes for the camper manufacturers too! Give me accurate no nonsense numbers. What can it carry and how much does it weigh when it leaves the build/factory site? These decisions and numbers determine safety not only for us but those we share the road with. This should be an interesting discussion.
I have scratched my head many a time over this very issue and even the bulk of the Ford dealers cannot give you an accurate number, nor understand payload/GVWR/GCWR etc. What I do know if that every option and/or package and trim level you put on that truck effects the payload number. The maximum amount of payload you can get is with a long bed, extended cab, XL, gas engine with no options. Start going up in trim levels and options and the payload number drops pretty quick.
For example, I had a 2016 F250 Lariat with the 6.2 gas engine and my payload was 2496 lbs. I ordered this truck and the dealer could not tell me what my payload was going to be on it. My current truck is a 2017 F350 XLT Premium with the 6.2 gas engine and my payload is 4226 lbs. I sold my 2016 with less than 10,000 miles on it because I was well overweight when my camper was on my truck. And, my camper is not heavy compared to about everything else in the same class. It cost me a several thousand dollars so get into the new truck but was well worth it for my peace of mind.
I searched for my new truck specifically with one goal in mind, to maximize my payload. Once I found it I had my local dealer do a dealer transfer and get it for me. I know that was a long story to make the simple point that the published payload numbers are a mystery and the only sure way I know of to know what payload you are getting is to look at the door sticker of a truck on the ground.
Max cargo weight and max payload aren’t the same thing. Cargo weight is how much cargo the truck can carry after allowing for a 150 lbs. person in each seating position plus the weight of required options (i.e., camper package). Payload is essentially the difference between GVWR and base trim curb weight without options unless otherwise specified.
For example, if a truck has six seats, then you can expect to see an ~900 lbs. difference between max cargo weight and max payload. If you carry fewer/lighter people, then you can carry correspondingly more stuff.
See the “fine print” below from the 2020 RV and Tow Guide cargo weight chart above.
I have scratched my head many a time over this very issue and even the bulk of the Ford dealers cannot give you an accurate number, nor understand payload/GVWR/GCWR etc. What I do know if that every option and/or package and trim level you put on that truck effects the payload number. The maximum amount of payload you can get is with a long bed, extended cab, XL, gas engine with no options. Start going up in trim levels and options and the payload number drops pretty quick.
For example, I had a 2016 F250 Lariat with the 6.2 gas engine and my payload was 2496 lbs. I ordered this truck and the dealer could not tell me what my payload was going to be on it. My current truck is a 2017 F350 XLT Premium with the 6.2 gas engine and my payload is 4226 lbs. I sold my 2016 with less than 10,000 miles on it because I was well overweight when my camper was on my truck. And, my camper is not heavy compared to about everything else in the same class. It cost me a several thousand dollars so get into the new truck but was well worth it for my peace of mind.
I searched for my new truck specifically with one goal in mind, to maximize my payload. Once I found it I had my local dealer do a dealer transfer and get it for me. I know that was a long story to make the simple point that the published payload numbers are a mystery and the only sure way I know of to know what payload you are getting is to look at the door sticker of a truck on the ground.
That is what we used when the current truck was purchased. Payload is 3540. We bought to pull our toy hauler and were coming from a F150 and a Silverado 2500. Looking at the charts even the highest rated payload for the SRW we would still be over or darn close to it. Although we feel comfortable now with our rig and truck more than likely the next purchase will be solely based on max payload and it appears the DRW 350 rules unless we really upsize to a 550 or better. Hopefully with this years resurgence of truck camping the manufacturers will improve technology and make the rigs with slides lighter and still loaded with decent features.
My thought is, even choosing one of the really light dry weight campers, once you are ready to roll, staying under the manufacturer's numbers with a single rear wheel is akin to finding a unicorn.
I'm with you, Allen. I printed out after going through the build and it wasn't really specific to what I entered (still had specs for various options without highlighting which when with MY build) PLUS, when it printed it shifted the text and overlapped in some areas and chopped off in others. Really annoying. Companies really need to step up their sites function as it can be make or break for some potential customers. AND..... once you type in your specific build, there's no reason I can think of that it can tally everything and come up with all the pertinent numbers of GVWR, payload, etc, etc. Given these 250/350/450/550 are often purchased to do actual work, and aren't just grocery-getters, It's all the more necessary. I grow more annoyed with this and I've walked away from doing business with companies for FAR less.
(Hey FORD....... are you listening???!!!???)
I think of Ford's published weight limits as guidelines. When you think you've found the particular configuration of truck you want, take it to a set of scales where you can weigh the front and rear axles separately. Compare those weights and the total to the sticker on the truck's door to see if you'll be okay with what you plan to haul.
I think the confusion comes with folks who don’t have a truck yet.
steve
Sure. But before I drop $90k+ on something, I'd like to know it's what I need, because once my $ is handed across the desk, I'm the one that's forked if it isn't.
And surely, not Shirley........ asking the actual specs for a given build can be asking too much. If it is, it's time to start questioning the level of competence of those providing the product.
Sure. But before I drop $90k+ on something, I'd like to know it's what I need, because once my $ is handed across the desk, I'm the one that's forked if it isn't.
And surely, not Shirley........ asking the actual specs for a given build can be asking too much. If it is, it's time to start questioning the level of competence of those providing the product.
The data exists, and Ford must have an app that prints the load labels and camper certifications based on VIN-specific build configurations. We just need them to make an online version acailable.
I think we all realize that this discussion is just another version of the hundreds of earlier discussions in dozens of other forums for the last I don't know how many years. I think the reality is whether we like it or not, manufacturers do things based on sales numbers and if you want to know what Ford sells the most of go to a dealer lot and take a walk around the section with used pickup trucks. My wife and I walk the lots somewhat frequently as something we enjoy. The dealer down the road from us has dozens of used F150 in every version and a single diesel F250. On the new side they again have dozens of F150s and a single F250 and F350.
We just aren't on the radar screen and I bet most folks who purchase F250s and F350s don't give a glance at the stickers on the doors.
The data exists, and Ford must have an app that prints the load labels and camper certifications based on VIN-specific build configurations. We just need them to make an online version acailable.
This a great chart. You the man when it comes to having the cash of doc's on this stuff. But boy oh boy, looking at that makes a dyslexics head spin! I'll print if and get out the colored pens....
Thanks!
I think we all realize that this discussion is just another version of the hundreds of earlier discussions in dozens of other forums for the last I don't know how many years. I think the reality is whether we like it or not, manufacturers do things based on sales numbers and if you want to know what Ford sells the most of go to a dealer lot and take a walk around the section with used pickup trucks. My wife and I walk the lots somewhat frequently as something we enjoy. The dealer down the road from us has dozens of used F150 in every version and a single diesel F250. On the new side they again have dozens of F150s and a single F250 and F350.
We just aren't on the radar screen and I bet most folks who purchase F250s and F350s don't give a glance at the stickers on the doors.
My two cents,
Steve
You are likely correct, Steve. But dare to dream....
This a great chart. You the man when it comes to having the cash of doc's on this stuff. But boy oh boy, looking at that makes a dyslexics head spin! I'll print if and get out the colored pens....
Thanks!
C’mon, it’s only 183 pages of rather dry tables! 😉
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I'll print if and get out the colored pens....
