Forum Discussion
BigToe
Mar 07, 2017Explorer
Powerdude wrote:
Well, I've learned a lot of stuff here, and I would like to thank you all for lots of valuable input and discussions.
I want to make sure I get this right, assuming there is a right answer.
Truck is a 2016 F250 CC SB XLT with camper package overloads.
I even took it to a scale. Full tank, with just me in it, and the Torqlift camper tiedowns installed. Stableloads are going on tomorrow.
Tires are E rated tires at 3640 lbs each. (18" wheels)
Truck is registered for 12,000 lbs (only other option was 8k lbs, which was too low).
Here's the data.
Sticker
Scaled weight
If I go by the GVWR, payload is only 2460 lbs.
If I go by adding up axle weights, payload is 2840.
If I just add up the rear tire ratings, and subtract scaled weight, payload is 4020 lbs.
If I used the licensed weight, subtracting scaled weight, payload is 4460 lbs.
Calculations here
So which is legal, and which is safe, and what would you do?
I'm aiming for a used 2200-2500 lbs camper (no slide, like a Lance 845 or 825), but a slide (Lance 861, or 821) would be nice to have...and that's 3000 lbs...
Opinions?
Unless you know where the center of gravity is, and can predict what the weight distribution will be when adding a camper, and all the goodies needed for camping, and all the people going camping... limiting your consideration of payload to just the rear axle is ill advised. Both axles will bear increased weight, and the proportion of distribution will depend on the design and the contents of the camper, as well as what is placed in the cab.
It sounds like you already know the RIGHT answer to your original question... the chain is only as good as the weakest link. Likewise, the payload capacity of your truck is only as good as the lowest rating. It does not matter if one component in the suite of ratings is rated higher. If the rungs of a ladder are rated for 500 lbs, but the rails of the ladder are only rated for 300 lbs, are you going to send a 375 lb man up that ladder?
That is essentially what you are proposing by ignoring the lowest ratings in your chain, and only considering the highest. I have load range G tires on my truck. They are rated higher than the original tires on my truck. That doesn't change the GVWR of my truck. Even the original tires and wheels to my truck, when added together, exceeded the GVWR of my truck. Still didn't increase the GVWR any.
You've already answered your own question, and in your first post asked for "Opinions?". Well, IMHO, your first answer is correct... your truck has a maximum payload capacity of 2,460 lbs. For liability reasons alone, the best advice is to load within those ratings, or trade the truck for one whose weakest link can still support any higher payloads you may want to carry.
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