Payload Capacity... what's the limiting factor?

I've been paying attention to trucks since I got mine. Differentials, axles, spindles, and frames etc. A Tundra is a cowboy Cadillac. It's a rugged 1/2 ton truck. And that's about it. Overrating it somewhat is one thing, but it's not a 3/4 or 1 ton truck at 75MPH hauling a load. I live in ranching country along with a lot of oilfield vehicles. Women here drive Tundra's because the don't like driving the F350 into town

 

See, looks is half the reason I want one. I hate the way most pickup beds look....just a big blob of hollow sheet metal, and flatbeds always look so much more useful.

I plan to make my own, and in theory it shouldn't weigh any more than the stock bed.

And I'm looking at examples like this for inspiration. The ones you posted are indeed horrifically ugly.

 

Well, I consider myself no more than an amateur but I've got enough stuff in my shop that I was able to build this buggy, even if It did take me four years and I'm still tinkering with it so i'd say I have enough stuff to do a flatbed. CAD sounds great but I'm more at the level of a tape measure, square and chalk lines on the shop floor kind of building. I won't promise everything comes out with millimeter symmetry though.

 

I’m in the same boat as you. I didn’t research or understand payload, and also wanted to eventually get a camper. (Every time I mention a RTT my wife asks where the bathroom is). I noticed Lance has a model 650 that says for 1/2 ton short bed and even has a picture of one on a tundra. It is 1700 dry and 1903 wet. Before passengers or anything else. They have another model that is about 100 lbs heavier. I wonder what it feels like for people who drive one of those around who are clearly over weight.

 

Anyway, back on subject....I don't know about the tundra....but with some 10 plys and 90 PSI I did make it all the way from Alaska to Montana in my 94 with 1600lbs....I've always been afraid to look up what the actual spec was supposed to be

I won't say the truck handled well, but I didn't die and after the first thousand miles I was pretty used to it.

 

Here is a tundra with a camper.

 

I have seen some nice looking flatbeds out there. Saw a couple that were aluminum , nice designs that were powder coated to match the truck. They were pretty sharp.

 

There are many overloaded half tons out there. Kind of scary.

 

This is what I have been told is included with the Ford F-150 Payload package. As far as I can gather, they use the same frame as any other F-150. So, it is the bolt ons that increase the payload.

The heavy payload package includes five LT245/70R17E BSW A/T tires for the XL; five LT275/65R18C OWL A/T tires for the XLT or Lariat; 17-inch silver steel heavy-duty wheels for the XL; 18-inch silver aluminum heavy-duty wheels for the XLT or Lariat; upgraded springs and auxiliary transmission oil cooler; and a 9.75-inch gear set with 3.73 electronic-locking slip axle.

I will be speaking soon with an outfit that does extensive off road mods everyday....... difs, axels, springs, shocks , gears, etc. etc.
Along with mods I am hoping to find out IF there is a process for a legal " recertification" ..... a way to legally ( and safely ) exceed the sticker.

I don't know, maybe it isn't possible or the process is a nightmare. Ford's price for the payload package is only about $1,500.00. I know I won't get it done for near that if it is feasible at all.

 

Stripping the 4WD Transfer and front diff/prop shaft sheds and simultaneously opens up 400lb. for the 1st Gen’s!

 

Using a ½ ton truck to do a 1 ton truck job. What is the weakest link? The guy who make that stupid decision...

 

Here is a flat bed camper:

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/tcm-exclusive-2019-hallmark-k2-feature-rig/

I’m not advocating for exceeding payload, but I think Toyota could have done something in the last 13 years to up the tundra’s. I know there is a safety factor and that test, but it seems like Toyota gave up in competing in the full size market a few years ago and is fine with 4th? place.

Like how is one of these considered safe and one not. The one on the tundra is 1819 lbs dry. Not sure about gvwr on the Winnebago. Maybe both are unsafe or that little Toyota from the 80s is beefier than a tundra.

 

1500 lbs dry. Also unsafe and illegal.

 

Interesting article. However the author is wrong in one regard.

So why wouldn’t every truck camper owner want a flatbed truck camper? The trade-offs. What you gain in camper space, storage and capacity with a flatbed you lose in truck versatility. Without bed rails or a tailgate, flatbed trucks don’t have the hauling capabilities that make traditional pickup trucks so popular.

The above statement is not always true. There are flatbed suppliers/builders out there that have and offer detachable sides and tailgates. Take the sides and tailgate off for camper use and install for hauling..... takes less than 5 minutes to install sides and tailgate.

At this point I think Toyota went for ride quality and MPG with the Tundra and considered payload a secondary concern. They could have specified / fitted heavier duty parts and increased payload easily.

 

The biggest difference is probably the full-floating axle in the rear of the Toyota Pickup. The 3.0L V6 it came with may not have much power but the rear springs and axle can take the weight.

 

That was what I and I think the OP were eluding to. Toyota could’ve put better springs on the tundra and probably gained a couple hundred lbs with little added cost. Or made it an option from the factory for a few hundred $. It’s not like they did it to gain mpg, cause mpg sucks in these trucks.

 

Stretching for the win with your using Rare Breed ‘Regular Cab’ numbers.

 

The way I figure it, and I could be wrong- it doesn't help the payload that the Tundra is heavy. According to Google, the lightest 2019 Tundra Crewmax is 5,250 pounds while the lightest 2019 F150 Supercrew is 4,258 pounds. Payload is absolutely affected by body weight, so this can factor in. If you consider that the F-150 Supercrew's payload is ranged 1,336 to 2,309 lbs and that the Tundra CrewMax's is ranged 1,100-1,600, it helps to put things into perspective.

Personally, I'm ok with this as the extra weight gives me some sense of comfort when towing. I like knowing my truck is a bit on the hefty side when I have a 7,000lb trailer behind me.

 

Sorry to bump this from a month ago. I just came across this thread. Below is my '05. I bought it new and really only use it for "truck stuff" so it only has 86K miles on it. Several years ago I smashed the bed and after seeing the cost to replace it I decided to put a UTE bed on it. I really wouldn't want to use it as a daily driver but as a utility truck I like it much better. Tons of functional space and with the fold down sides lots of options. Anyway, thought you guys might like to see it.