Help with payload
Im looking to buy my first truck camper and I'm confused as to the size I can safely carry. I don't have any interest in modifying my truck, I want to leave it stock. I have a 2004.5 Dodge Ram 3500 DR...
Forum Discussion
mdamerell wrote:
In 2005 the tow wars started. Like you my 2004 F350 DRW is rated at 11,500#. The new trucks are rated much higher around 14,000#. So that's a 2,500# increase in capacity. The other thing is some people never weigh and just believe the salesman.
The Ram 1-ton trucks over the past 10 years have gained 3,000 lbs. in weight so GVWR is nebulous to say the least and heaven help the occupants in any passenger car in a collision.
Payload is a calculated number based on the weakest link and the greatest number of possible passengers (calculated at 150 lbs. per available passenger seat and subtracted from "payload").
The real world limiting factors are the frame, the leaf springs, axle and wheel bearings, and the tires. With DRW the tire are not the limitation at the rear wheels. Older Ford trucks had a rear axle and wheel bearings rated for 8900 lbs. and this becomes the weakest link.
Weight the truck at a CAT scale and subtract the drive axle weight from 8900 lbs. and you have a good ballpark figure for the maximum load you want to add to the bed of the truck.
If with the camper in the bed the truck sags in the back then you will need to add more leaf springs as with Supersprings to gain more support. This is easily done and costs less than $500 - talk to the people at Supersprings for advice for your specific truck and load.
