I been wondering how do manufacturers determine pay loads?Are they determined by1) the suspension2) the frame 3) axle limits4) tire weight load limitations5) all of the above6) or other factors.So how is it determined?

icanon wrote:I been wondering how do manufacturers determine pay loads?Are they determined by1) the suspension2) the frame 3) axle limits4) tire weight load limitations5) all of the above6) 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.

You may find this article to be interesting. It is focused on GCVWR but still relevant.Truck Trend ArticleIn addition to what you listed would be brakes, drive train capability (power, cooling), etc. It also mentions how technology comes into play such as integrated braking w/sway control.Good luck,Stu

I would say a combination of 5 and 6. GVWR's keep going up. The standard GVWR for a 3/4 ton used to be 8800 lbs, now it seems to be 10K. 1 tons have gone up accordingly.

Well the 1st item is the max GVWR for the Class. 2500/250's are limited to 10,000#3500/350 are 10,001 to 14,000#So 1st limiting factor is tire rating. The rest are based on marketing, and GCVWR is based on HP/Torque and gear ratio.

Payload is determined by subtracting the trucks weight from it's GVWR. What you really should be asking is what determines a truck's GVWR. For that, there are different answers for different truck classes.

What determines payloads? | Good Sam Community

Flashman
Explorer II
Feb 12, 2016
7) Marketing
mkirsch
Nomad II
Feb 12, 2016
If you've been following this forum for long, you should know that payloads are arbitrary made-up numbers intended to scare you into buying a bigger truck. The manufacturers are lying to you, and anybody that tells you otherwise are "weight police" who get perverse pleasure from telling people what to do, or maybe they're paid agents of the truck manufacturers sowing fear and doubt among the masses to boost HD pickup truck sales.
icanon
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
3oaks wrote:
icanon, I believe AlmostAnOldGuy one sentence answers your question perfectly. That's the most direct answer to your original question.

AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
..........................
In addition to what you listed would be brakes, drive train capability (power, cooling), etc................ Stu

True that's why I added option #6 other factors.
icanon
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
You may find this article to be interesting. It is focused on GCVWR but still relevant.

Truck Trend Article

In addition to what you listed would be brakes, drive train capability (power, cooling), etc. It also mentions how technology comes into play such as integrated braking w/sway control.

Good luck,
Stu

Thanks for the link very interesting read.
3oaks
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
icanon, I believe AlmostAnOldGuy one sentence answers your question perfectly. That's the most direct answer to your original question.

AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
..........................
In addition to what you listed would be brakes, drive train capability (power, cooling), etc................ Stu
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 12, 2016
Example:

2016 F250 SRW 4X4 10,000 GVWR

Payloads

Regular cab----4040
Super Cab ----short bed/3700 long bed/3600
Crew Cab -----short bed/3490 long bed/3380
ShinerBock
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
Payload is determined by subtracting the trucks weight from it's GVWR.

What you really should be asking is what determines a truck's GVWR. For that, there are different answers for different truck classes.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 12, 2016
Well the 1st item is the max GVWR for the Class.
2500/250's are limited to 10,000#
3500/350 are 10,001 to 14,000#
So 1st limiting factor is tire rating. The rest are based on marketing, and GCVWR is based on HP/Torque and gear ratio.
wilber1
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
I would say a combination of 5 and 6. GVWR's keep going up. The standard GVWR for a 3/4 ton used to be 8800 lbs, now it seems to be 10K. 1 tons have gone up accordingly.
AlmostAnOldGuy
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
You may find this article to be interesting. It is focused on GCVWR but still relevant.

Truck Trend Article

In addition to what you listed would be brakes, drive train capability (power, cooling), etc. It also mentions how technology comes into play such as integrated braking w/sway control.

Good luck,
Stu