Trying to understand payload

karmi wrote:
We are getting ready to upsize our current truck and camper and hit the road full-time. We have been having trouble finding a truck that can handle the payload of most small to medium 5th wheels. Most of the fifth wheels that we have been looking at are in the 29 - 33 ft range and have a hitch weight of 2,000 - 2,400 lbs. Even the Dodge 2500 turbo diesel, which will tow over 17,000 lbs only has a payload capacity of around 2,700 lbs. We see similar trucks all the time towing much bigger fifth wheels than we are planning on towing and are wondering if we are just not understanding how to figure payload? My understanding is that it is the weight of anything in the cab and bed of your truck, including people, gear, etc. Thank you!

Welcome to the World of 3/4 ton diesels! They are all lacking in payload until the last 3 or 4 years. My 27' fiver uses most of the available 2700# payload with my 2005 (see sig). My payload capacity would be 2300# if the truck was 4WD and I WOULD be on the limit.
The problem is they are all rated with a similar GVWR. Then the diesel, crew cab, 4WD etc eat into that number, reducing the remaining capacity significantly.
Now it's possible to get a 2500 diesel with over 3000# payload, or better yet, a SRW 1-ton with over 4000# payload. If you are looking at a new (or newer) truck, the SRW 1-ton is the way to go. It will handle any "medium" fiver you may be looking at but still give you room to grow in the future.
Many of those trucks you see on the road ARE overloaded. Their owners either don't understand or simply don't care!

The base payload capacity for any truck after 2005 is on the "Tire loading information label" near the drivers door. It has a figure which is referred to as the "Occupant and Cargo capacity". This is a starting point, but that number is reduced by everything in the truck.
SCH911 nailed it - for a given truck, you need to weigh it, ready for travel to figure out how exactly much payload is left.