Ford's payload capacity confusion

laknox wrote:

azjeffh wrote:
Just ordered a new 5er and looking for a truck to pull it (21K GVWR).

According to Ford's website, I should be able to get a 2016 F350 4X4 dually diesel that has a 14K GVWR with a 6460 payload capacity. The problem is when I went to look at one last week the label on the door stated ~5400 lbs payload. To me that doesn't make much sense since I doubt the vehicle's unladen weight is 8600 lbs. Shouldn't GVWR-CCC=unladen? I did verify the vehicle did indeed have a 14K GVWR placard. The GCWR is 35K which should be well within the limits of the combo.

In addition I'm trying to decide between the 3.73 and the 4.30 rear end. I understand the 4.30 has a 3K greater towing capacity (26.5K vs 23.5K) but will likely burn more fuel. I really don't understand the other advantages of the 4.30.

I had considered the F450 but oddly enough the payload is stated at only 5300 lbs which is really confusing to me.

We plan to full time and travel the US so I'd like to get this right the first time.

First off, Jeff, IMO a 350 simply isn't going to handle a FW of that size. You've been around here long enough that you should know that it's not what you can TOW, it's what you can CARRY. The truck's payload is based on a stripped, 2wd, gasser, single cab, with no options. When you start adding stuff, including people, fuel, hitch and "stuff", that all comes off the base payload. The sticker on the door is what's "left over" after the diesel engine goes in, the extra cab is added and the 4wd is put in place. That's where you "lost" that 1,000 lbs. You add a good hitch, that's another ~200 lbs; 2 people is another ~300 lbs; more people means less usable payload for the FW. See the discussion going on here, for a similar situation: http://forums.trailerlife.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28654682.cfm. With a 21k GVW on the FW, you're solid into a 450, or bigger, truck; again, IMO.

As for the rear end, if you plan on traveling extensively in the western U.S. and Canada, get the 4.10. If you plan on doing most of your traveling east of the Rockies, the 3.73 would be fine. You gain both easier uphills and more engine braking on the downhills with the 4.10; you gain MPG with the 3.73, but sacrifice on the other side.

Lyle