payload capacity

Npdchief07 wrote:
I have read that most auto manufacturers underestimate their towing and payload capacity to be on the safe side. Is this true? I just bought a 2013 Ford F-150 with towing package and 7100GVWR but it only has a payload capacity of 1720. We may exceed that buy about 100 pounds on some trips when older son is with us. Cause for concern?

GVWR is a number chosen by the vehicle mfg and can be any number up to the sum of the GAWRs.
And vehicle mfg may choose any fawr/rawr number they want for a particular package.

In 2013 Ford has 13-14 different gvwr numbers from 6450 up to 8200 lbs......all for the same or different cab/2wd vs 4wd/other etc selections.

And the F150 has 5 different rawr packages from 3500 up to 4800 lbs.......all for the same/different cab/2wd vs 4wd/other etc selections.

Now lets look at your gvwr based 1720 lb payload selection for your truck.

A '13 F150 shows to have rather small 3850 rawr. Your truck may have a empty rear axle weight around 2500 lb. Now add a 1720 lb in the bed and your trucks rear axle load in 4220 lbs.......OVERLOADED.
The F150 with the 4800 rawr can carry around 2400-2500 lbs in the bed. Of course all numbers depend on actual scaled front and rear axle weight numbers.

This is typical of many new gen trucks with a high gvwr and a low rawr and the fallacy of using GVWR number to determine how much load we place in the bed over the rear axle.

In all cases the biggest safety concern is exceeding a rawr when we load the trucks bed. A rawr can be the lessor of a wheel/tire/axle/spring pack.