Dodge 3500
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From: Jax Fla.
OK, here are the numbers for my 05 Ram 3500 4x4...
GVWR 12,200
-Weight Approx 7300 lbs
=4900lbs
You have to keep in mind that cargo includes passengers. I'm also fairly certain that the numbers are different between 4x2, 4x4, long wheel base and short wheel base. The different models of the 3500's each have a different vehicle weight so payload needs to be adjusted accordingly. My 3500 is likely the heaviest model (4x4, LWB, Quad Cab, Dually) so it stands to reason that it has the least payload capacity. A SWB, regular cab, dually can prolly haul more crap.
GVWR 12,200
-Weight Approx 7300 lbs
=4900lbs
You have to keep in mind that cargo includes passengers. I'm also fairly certain that the numbers are different between 4x2, 4x4, long wheel base and short wheel base. The different models of the 3500's each have a different vehicle weight so payload needs to be adjusted accordingly. My 3500 is likely the heaviest model (4x4, LWB, Quad Cab, Dually) so it stands to reason that it has the least payload capacity. A SWB, regular cab, dually can prolly haul more crap.
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Have you actually weighed your truck, BigGunZ? That isn't meant to offend, but unless you have actually weighed your truck, you really don't know the payload capacity.
The stated "payload capacity" means very little. Until one actually has a true empty weight of their vehicle, payload capacity is a pure guess. Payload = GVWR - empty weight.
Anyone who figures their payload without actually weighing the vehicle is only guessing.
The stated "payload capacity" means very little. Until one actually has a true empty weight of their vehicle, payload capacity is a pure guess. Payload = GVWR - empty weight.
Anyone who figures their payload without actually weighing the vehicle is only guessing.
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From: Jax Fla.
No offense taken but Dodge weighed it so why do I have to? Manufacturers are required by law to supply weight data to the state and the registration lists the weight as 7370 lbs. Granted, if I scale it the numbers likely won't match accurately but I'd bet it would be within +/-100 lbs. I'm simply pointing out that a Dodge 3500 has a much larger payload capacity than this thread implies....about 1900 lbs more.
Quite frankly, comparing payload capacity of the big 3's one ton offerings is silly and is splitting hairs at best...neither of them has any major advantage over the other, and I've yet to meet a pickup owner that weighs his cargo. I've owned 3 Fords...an F100, 150, and 250 and I've almost always been limited by space. The only exception being when I was hauling Gravel in my F250...the limiting factor was usually the tires which brings up a valid point...the ratings of the tires and the GAWR (gross axle weight rating) are more of a measure of hauling ability.
Quite frankly, comparing payload capacity of the big 3's one ton offerings is silly and is splitting hairs at best...neither of them has any major advantage over the other, and I've yet to meet a pickup owner that weighs his cargo. I've owned 3 Fords...an F100, 150, and 250 and I've almost always been limited by space. The only exception being when I was hauling Gravel in my F250...the limiting factor was usually the tires which brings up a valid point...the ratings of the tires and the GAWR (gross axle weight rating) are more of a measure of hauling ability.
Last edited by IB Tim; Aug 31, 2005 at 04:51 PM.
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Just through my own personal experiences, I don't trust the weight given by the manufacturer. That doesn't mean that I think they are lieing, I just don't know under what circumstances they weighed the truck. Did it have a full tank of gas? Was anyone riding in it? etc. Just as an example, the truck in my sig came to the dealer weighing 7200 lbs. supposedly. I had it weighed at a truck stop with a full tank of gas, no passengers, and it weighed 7900 lbs. Take it for what it is worth.
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From: Jax Fla.
I don't doubt you. The weight reported to the state and listed on the registration is dry weight and for the purposes of figuring payload, is sufficient. Curb weight is usually the weight full of fluids with a half tank of fuel. Either way, payload capacity is pretty meaningless when you're talking 1 ton trucks...you will almost always run out of box space before you exceed the weight unless you're hauling gravel or dirt. Payload capacity is merely a number that Nissan uses to try convince people that their truck is better than a F150. Have you ever seen that commercial....
"A Nissan Titan gets the job done the first time"
It's a joke. As if the F150 driver is going to leave 3 bags of feed behind just because he exceeded his payload capacity even though he has room for it.
I don't know about you but I have never based a purchasing decision on payload capacity. More than anytihng else, it's just a number the mfgr's use to sell trucks to those that know nothing about them.
"A Nissan Titan gets the job done the first time"
It's a joke. As if the F150 driver is going to leave 3 bags of feed behind just because he exceeded his payload capacity even though he has room for it.
I don't know about you but I have never based a purchasing decision on payload capacity. More than anytihng else, it's just a number the mfgr's use to sell trucks to those that know nothing about them.
Last edited by IB Tim; Aug 31, 2005 at 04:51 PM.
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Agreed. In my case, the payload comes into play because I haul a 22' gooseneck trailer, and the pin weight eats most of my "payload capacity." I don't like numbers like "towing capacity" and "payload capacity" because they are often based off of a truck with no options, hardly any gas, etc. That was my original point. Ford says my payload capacity for my truck is something like 4200 lbs. However, if I put 4200 lbs. in my bed, I would be over GVWR at the very least. Ford says I can tow 15,400 lbs. in fifth-wheel configuration, but if I put a trailer on my truck that size, the pin weight will almost certainly put me over my GVWR, at the very least. The important numbers one should be concerned with are GVWR, GAWR, and perhaps GCVWR. Manufacturer numbers are used to show their vehicle in the best light, and are rarely directly applicable to trucks you buy off of the lot.
Last edited by IB Tim; Aug 31, 2005 at 04:51 PM.
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From: Jax Fla.
Originally Posted by opposable
Manufacturer numbers are used to show their vehicle in the best light, and are rarely directly applicable to trucks you buy off of the lot.
