MotorTrend Tests the 1500's

boocoodinkydow wrote:
The Ed takes a lot of criticism for it's anemic weight & tow ratings & rightfully so. Many have the opinion that it will surely turn into a pumpkin if you put 901# in the bed. For those good conservative individuals that go strictly by the label in the door jam, God bless you; there's surely going to be a special place in heaven for you. It may come as a surprise that there are some of us that don't always obey traffic laws, occasionally don't abide by prescription labels, fudge a bit on our income tax and sometimes use our trucks beyond their advertised limitations. While ram is hampered by a slightly smaller axle diameter & only 5 lugs rather than 6-8, the primary differential in ratings is due to the fact chrysler opted to use sae system prior to other brands following suit. Bad choice on chrysler's part. If I haven't rustled feathers thus far, let me step it up a notch. You're totally naive if you don't realize that these ratings are set by exponentially cautious bureaucratic pencil pushing safety officials & an army of liability lawyers rather than untethered engineers who are aware of the true capabilities!! I've lived long enough to understand when it feels right & when it doesn't & there is where my limitations are set. My sticker warns not to exceed 890#. I've actually made two 40 mile trips through some mountainous tn back roads with over 2300#. The air suspension leveled the load perfectly & the only time I could tell I had a load was when braking. i took a before & after measurement & found a load deflection of only 1 3/8". Another occasion I hauled 1850# for 450 miles @ interstate speeds. It's a truck, use it like one. For those that feel it's true capabilities are rivaled by a minivan, buy a minivan!! Ok weight police, take your best shot!

It's all relative isn't it? So where does that place the others with their 50% higher ratings? The logic that some "believers" use is baffling. Consider that the MAKERS of the truck put those stickers on. And the F150 can be optioned to 2000# payload without penalty. Give your head a shake.