icanon wrote:
I been wondering how do manufacturers determine pay loads?
Are they determined by
1) the suspension
2) the frame
3) axle limits
4) tire weight load limitations
5) all of the above
6) or other factors.
So how is it determined?
My take. Mfg comes up with a target empty weight, a target loaded weight, design team then designs to meet that target. weakest link determines the max rating, which may or may not be higher than what the vehicle could actually be rated for. Also, in some cases Max GVWR is determine by industry classifications. example, a "3/4" ton truck classification by stds has a max GVWR of 10,000lbs. no more. so payload is 10,000- empty weight. These are part of the class 1-8 ratings for trucks.
all of the items 1-5 above must be able to support the payload and max vehicle weight rating w/o being taken beyond the rates specs.
any one or more could drive the max limit, or there could be a design margin such that not any in specific is near ratings at max payload.
But, only the designer/mfg knows for sure. And they are highly unlikely to ever publish that information.
