2014 Ram specs finally come out

AlbertaNewbie wrote:
not sure why everybody bashes the "low" payload numbers of a HALF ton...as in 1000lbs. If you get anything over 1000lbs in a HALF ton truck it is bonus. If you need 1750lbs get a THREE QUARTER ton truck.

Because that's lower payload than my wifes subcompact Ford Escape 4 cyclinder. Lower payload than some full size cars.

Hek, even my midsize Ford Sport Trac with a V8, had a payload of 1288 lbs w/o the hard tonneau cover.

I would expect a full size 1/2 ton to offer enough payload to do what they advertise, and that's hauling a family and the camper. With 1000 lbs payload, you'll just have enough for the family and maybe a tent and some gear to go with it.

I would expect no lower than 1500 lbs Max payload so when the truck is optioned, you have at least 1300 to 1400 lbs of actual payload. Dodge is the only maker that I've seen not match this. Even Nissan updated their GVWR that made a lower mid 1300 lbs payload I had in my Titan.

The 2004 Nissan Titan CC 4WD truck had a Max payload of 1453 lbs. My Titan had 1373 lbs of payload from the factory. That was the yellow tread act sticker info. That payload was eaten up real quick by the 40 lbs aftermarket hitch receiver, 75 lbs tonneau cover, and 80 lbs side steps. Afterwards, I was stuck with a useable payload in the 1100s which didn't leave much for towing with a truck full of friends and family. That Titan had a GVWR of 6499 lbs for a crew cab 4WD short bed truck. Now they have updated the GVWR to 7200 lbs to offer one of the highest standard payloads in the industry. To bad that's the only good thing about the Titan.

My current F150 has a GVWR of 7350 lbs and a factory payload (tread act sticker) of 1582 lbs. That payload includes a mostly loaded truck with full length side step, and build in hitch receiver. My bed accessories are light. I found I had more trouble with hard folding covers so I went with an awesome soft cover that's only about 15 lbs and my Bedrug bedliner is less than 20 lbs. Now I have some payload. My previous 2010 F150 had the lower 7200 lbs GVWR so it had a tread act sticker payload of 1430 lbs, still much better than many trucks out there.

No sense to buy a 3/4 ton truck because that makers 1/2 ton models are inadequate for the job. Just buy any one of the numerous competitors that offer payload high enough to do the job.

Dodge just needs to correct the problems that keep the GVWR from being higher, then they will have a class leading truck.