most payload in a SRW short box
After joining the truck camper world a short while ago and learning that I love it I have found that payload is the biggest problem with trucks. I am sure that a lot of people are over their GVW as i...
Forum Discussion
My 2500 truck has a 11,000 GVWR which is 1000 pounds greater than the standard 3500 SRW truck. No factory stock pickup truck with DRW will provide a 3500 lb. payload for two simple to understand reasons.
First is that the tires used by the factory at going to have a 3200@80 PSI load rating so that makes the maximum load at the rear axle 6400 lbs. minus the 3200 lb. weight of the truck which leaves a payload of less than 3200 lbs. at best.
Second is that the manufacturers subtract 150 lbs. for each passenger seat in the truck which is why the highest payload ratings are for the trucks with a regular cab and the lowest are for the crew cab versions (and the crew cab adds another 200-300 lbs. of weight).
If you want to haul a 3,000 lb. camper with zero mods then you need to buy a DRW and pay the penalty in ease of operation and more tires to rotate and replace. With SRW though the modifications needed are trivial. Add Supersprings, change out the tires for 3750 rated "E" tires on the factory rims, or for maximum load capacity go to 19.5 rims and tires that provide over 4400 lbs. load capacity per wheel.
Diesel engines add another 800 lbs. of weight but the weight is carried 100% by the front wheels so it has no impact on payload. Conversely with a camper most of the load is carried by the rear axle. My 3400 lb. camper adds 100 lbs. to the load on the front tires with 3300 lbs. supported by the rear tires.
All three truck manufacturers calculate the payload based on the weakest link for the truck which will be the wheels followed by the leaf springs followed by the frame. All 2500/3500 trucks made in the last 10 years have rear axles and wheel bearings rated for at least 8900 lbs. so this is not the limitation.
First is that the tires used by the factory at going to have a 3200@80 PSI load rating so that makes the maximum load at the rear axle 6400 lbs. minus the 3200 lb. weight of the truck which leaves a payload of less than 3200 lbs. at best.
Second is that the manufacturers subtract 150 lbs. for each passenger seat in the truck which is why the highest payload ratings are for the trucks with a regular cab and the lowest are for the crew cab versions (and the crew cab adds another 200-300 lbs. of weight).
If you want to haul a 3,000 lb. camper with zero mods then you need to buy a DRW and pay the penalty in ease of operation and more tires to rotate and replace. With SRW though the modifications needed are trivial. Add Supersprings, change out the tires for 3750 rated "E" tires on the factory rims, or for maximum load capacity go to 19.5 rims and tires that provide over 4400 lbs. load capacity per wheel.
Diesel engines add another 800 lbs. of weight but the weight is carried 100% by the front wheels so it has no impact on payload. Conversely with a camper most of the load is carried by the rear axle. My 3400 lb. camper adds 100 lbs. to the load on the front tires with 3300 lbs. supported by the rear tires.
All three truck manufacturers calculate the payload based on the weakest link for the truck which will be the wheels followed by the leaf springs followed by the frame. All 2500/3500 trucks made in the last 10 years have rear axles and wheel bearings rated for at least 8900 lbs. so this is not the limitation.
