Opinion on towing and weights

APT wrote:

mikeinaz wrote:
Im looking at a Ram 1500 and Ford F150 today, payloads are 1600+ so that appears to put me in the safe zone for what I am looking at camper weight wise.

Just look at the as equipped payloads, not the web/brochure payloads. Crew cab half tons have 800-2400 pounds of payload. m seems the lowest, then Toyota, Ford, and GM the most for regular dealer lot trucks. Ford and GM offer some payload increasing packages, but they are rare to find on a lot. Most people custom order them. So look at this sticker when you open the driver's door:

Ok, so today was very eye opening for me. I am enjoying a cold beer right now having dealt w/ some sales people I would rather have not. So I drove a Ram 1500 'Sport' and really liked it and the price was right. It had everything I would be giving up in the Durango, Hemi, leather(parcial anyway), nav, camera, sunroof, 4wd etc. So when I look on the door sticker its a whopping 1133lbs in payload it can handle! I about fell over, thats less than the Durango! Next I went and drove a 1500 Laramie and its payload was still sub 1200lbs! The sale guy said Dodge rates theirs low. Yeah, I would say so! It didnt make me feel better. Saw a F150 and it was about 1500Lbs but didnt have the features I want.

So I seriously thought a truck would be more than my suv so I am surprised. Would a 2wd have a higher payload capacity? I hate to not have 4wd but if it means there is a better selection of vehicles I may give it up. I like the look of the Ram and the F150 the best so that is all I have looked at thus far and may stay used as my Durango is worth about $34k and its paid for, if I can get a truck about the same dollar range, that is the goal so new is most likely out, looking 1-2 yrs old. Again thank you again for the insight, the picture is all coming together for me here with your knowledge and help.