payload question
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
Has anybody weighed their truck? I wonder what the difference between the actual weight of the trucks would be compared to the GVWR. Might give better insight into the actual difference. Just curious.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Payload is equal to the trucks GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) MINUS the weight of the truck. The Expy has a GVWR of 7900 lbs, and the F150 in this thread has a GVWR of 7200 lbs. If the F150 is a loaded-up crew cab truck, it may very well weigh in over 6000 lbs. I guess the F150 remains, as always, a HALF TON truck. Except in the 70's an F150 weighed about 3500 lbs. The way to get a truck with a high payload is to get a very light truck (regular cab) with very few options, a heavy duty suspension, and keep it 2WD. The HD payload package truck has a GVW of 8200 lbs and a payload of 3030 lbs, meaning that the stripper truck weighs in at only 5200 lbs or so. A 900 lb payload is about what a 4 cylinder Escape has; I'm actually amazed that a big, heavy truck like the F150 is really that wimpy... George
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 0
Payload is equal to the trucks GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) MINUS the weight of the truck. The Expy has a GVWR of 7900 lbs, and the F150 in this thread has a GVWR of 7200 lbs. If the F150 is a loaded-up crew cab truck, it may very well weigh in over 6000 lbs. I guess the F150 remains, as always, a HALF TON truck. Except in the 70's an F150 weighed about 3500 lbs. The way to get a truck with a high payload is to get a very light truck (regular cab) with very few options, a heavy duty suspension, and keep it 2WD. The HD payload package truck has a GVW of 8200 lbs and a payload of 3030 lbs, meaning that the stripper truck weighs in at only 5200 lbs or so. A 900 lb payload is about what a 4 cylinder Escape has; I'm actually amazed that a big, heavy truck like the F150 is really that wimpy... George
I cant see that a truck is any heavier than a suv. The suv must have a lot more metal work, seats and components. Ford and the dealer say that the supercrew in 6.5 bed 3.55ls and 4x4 is good for 1500lb??
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
Payload is equal to the trucks GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) MINUS the weight of the truck. The Expy has a GVWR of 7900 lbs, and the F150 in this thread has a GVWR of 7200 lbs. If the F150 is a loaded-up crew cab truck, it may very well weigh in over 6000 lbs. I guess the F150 remains, as always, a HALF TON truck. Except in the 70's an F150 weighed about 3500 lbs. The way to get a truck with a high payload is to get a very light truck (regular cab) with very few options, a heavy duty suspension, and keep it 2WD. The HD payload package truck has a GVW of 8200 lbs and a payload of 3030 lbs, meaning that the stripper truck weighs in at only 5200 lbs or so. A 900 lb payload is about what a 4 cylinder Escape has; I'm actually amazed that a big, heavy truck like the F150 is really that wimpy... George
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
The Expy has a GVWR of 7900 lbs, which is 700 lbs more than your truck. The max axle weights are like 3700 front and 4250 rear on the Expy, and it's my guess that due to its proportions, the load would end up more "centered" in the Expy. It also likely has heavier springs and brakes. Your F150 has max axle weights of 3900 lb front and 4000 lbs rear, which does give a lot more margin than the total GVW, but it appears that Ford is compensating for the possibility of a heavy load in the bed, etc. (Like maybe if you are a 150 lb driver, they don't want to see more than 750 lbs of gravel in the extreme rear of the pickup bed.) If you want a serious work truck, you need to move up to a Super Duty, I guess... But, the F100/F150 has always been a "half ton" pickup, so finding out that it still is a half ton pickup is maybe not a surprise. But they're so BIG. And what the heck is up with 55-series blingy rubber band tires on big rims. There are potholes and chuckholes in the real world. I have no idea what the relative weight limits are on these tires, but I know I'd feel way better with 16" or 17" rims and some taller rubber on them. George
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Tires and wheels *may* make for another difference. Or does the Platinum model have an extra 186 lbs of chrome and heated/cooled DVD players on it? Sunroof(s) maybe?
Man, all these trucks are gonna spend a LOT of time overloaded...you'll have to make your kids each get on the scale when it's time to pack for vacation
And how much weight is a cap gonna add? And a basic toolbox?A Ford Focus has a payload over 800 lbs.
George
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
I looked at the online F150 brochure and of all the payloads for the different models and I recall the lowest being 1300Lbs for the 4.6 Crew 4X2 which I assume is a XL. Anyways if 900Lbs is your "do not exceed weight" that doesn't leave much for tongue weight after family and a few groceries. Still seems low to me but I wouldn't think they would ever screw something like that with regards to the math, which is beyond me.
Maybe I'm confusing payload with the "do not exceed weight"??
Maybe I'm confusing payload with the "do not exceed weight"??
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
I looked at the online F150 brochure and of all the payloads for the different models and I recall the lowest being 1300Lbs for the 4.6 Crew 4X2 which I assume is a XL. Anyways if 900Lbs is your "do not exceed weight" that doesn't leave much for tongue weight after family and a few groceries. Still seems low to me but I wouldn't think they would ever screw something like that with regards to the math, which is beyond me.
Maybe I'm confusing payload with the "do not exceed weight"??
Maybe I'm confusing payload with the "do not exceed weight"??
It is kind of sad that a Supercrew, at 900 lbs of payload, can barely hold four big guys and NOTHING else. There is NO allowance here for tongue weight of a trailer...that's totally stupid. Giant flashy limousines in truck suits...
George
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 0
I happen to have an '09 brochure here with a full list of GVW's and payloads. The smallest payloads are 4x4 supercrews. I will also note that the payload is labeled MAX payload--which means that a stripper truck will have the largest payload. If you get a truck with 400 lbs of bling, you lose 400 lbs of payload (like power window motors, a 100+ lb. sunroof, DVD players, carpeting and insulation, etc). The 55 series tires may reduce payload as well by limiting axle weight. Are the bed steps optional? If so, they probably add a hundred lbs or more. Running boards maybe? Another 150 lbs.
It is kind of sad that a Supercrew, at 900 lbs of payload, can barely hold four big guys and NOTHING else. There is NO allowance here for tongue weight of a trailer...that's totally stupid. Giant flashy limousines in truck suits...
George
It is kind of sad that a Supercrew, at 900 lbs of payload, can barely hold four big guys and NOTHING else. There is NO allowance here for tongue weight of a trailer...that's totally stupid. Giant flashy limousines in truck suits...
George
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 1
From: altoona
this all sound like a product of someone up top at ford with no brain ...they should make all the payloads the same with the only factor being engine size
i know my truck has lt tires so im good to go
i know my truck has lt tires so im good to go
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Ford's choice in a given GVW is either to list a "max" payload of, say, 1500 lbs, or a "min" payload of 900 lbs. Which one looks better in a brochure? Their only option would be to list "min" payload, don't ya think? Then they could all be the same.
They are not going to recalibrate the suspension, upsize tires, etc, on a miniscule level if you order a 100 lb option like a sunroof.
Now, what they did on the vans is interesting. (I have an '02 E150, GVW of 7000, payload of 1600 lbs). But in 2008, they basically made even the E150 van into an 8 lug HD van with a payload over 3000 lbs. I think it got to the point that with a 7000 gvw, the heavy van conversions were cracking 6000 lbs (raised roofs, TV's, fridges, etc), and ending up with 7 seats and a payload of 1000 lbs. That made no sense, so the E150 is now really a medium duty E250. But it rides like a truck.
George
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
yeah thats what i said 186lbs. my math minor really kicked in there. but still i dont believe a plat has 186lbs of extra equipment. i have a sunroof, tailgate step, bed extender. everything but running boards.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
Hey Bsimmer, what is your rated max towing cap for your rig? I wonder if some of these rigs with 11,000lbs max towing could have a really low payload? I'm just thinking about the tongue weight of these larger trailers or even fifth wheels.
I would have never looked at the door sticker when buying a truck. I would have taken the notes from online and from the dealership and gone with that. I wonder how many are towing over the limit now and never knowing?
I would have never looked at the door sticker when buying a truck. I would have taken the notes from online and from the dealership and gone with that. I wonder how many are towing over the limit now and never knowing?
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
For what it's worth, I just checked my SD and according to Ford, it's rated at 2700 lbs. The sticker on the door says it should not exceed 2209 lbs. I know it's not an F-150. It's apparently across all model lines. Mine has the 18s and 275/70-18 load range "E" tires on it. I would guess it has to do with the tires, wheels, and option configuration.
As was mentioned above, it does limit tongue / pin weights, etc. when you consider adding family, gear, etc.
As was mentioned above, it does limit tongue / pin weights, etc. when you consider adding family, gear, etc.