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

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by Dipper, Oct 20, 2019.

  1. Oct 23, 2019 at 4:39 PM
    #31
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    F-250's are pretty decent. I drive a 2015 6.2L F-250 every day. No issues.
     
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  2. Oct 23, 2019 at 4:39 PM
    #32
    7.62Tundra

    7.62Tundra Chromeaphilliac

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    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
     
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  3. Oct 23, 2019 at 4:43 PM
    #33
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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  4. Oct 23, 2019 at 8:50 PM
    #34
    Aerindel

    Aerindel New Member

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    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.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  5. Oct 24, 2019 at 12:07 AM
    #35
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    If you need any help with CAD design or ideas, let me know.

    What access to tools/welders do you have?
     
    Aerindel[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Oct 24, 2019 at 3:16 AM
    #36
    Aerindel

    Aerindel New Member

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    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.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2019
    BKVR6, ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] and MacCTD like this.
  7. Oct 24, 2019 at 3:25 AM
    #37
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    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.
     
  8. Oct 24, 2019 at 3:33 AM
    #38
    Aerindel

    Aerindel New Member

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    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.

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. Oct 24, 2019 at 3:50 AM
    #39
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    Here is a tundra with a camper.

    CBDE20AC-59EB-4C86-80B3-3405EF5D6DD9.jpg
     
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  10. Oct 24, 2019 at 5:06 AM
    #40
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    When overloaded, cruising down the road, most of the time nothing is going to happen.....

    Mechanically:
    - Springs/Axles/bearings/tires can see some extra wear. On severe cases, damage.

    Safety:

    - This is what can and usually does get people in trouble. Driving in a straight line doesn’t take a lot of skill at 65-75 mph. What does take skill is emergency braking, tire blow out, emergency maneuvering, foul weather driving. When a vehicle is overloaded, and these situations come and poke out it’s nasty head. It’s happened to me, and I wasn’t even overloaded.
     
  11. Oct 24, 2019 at 9:42 AM
    #41
    Dipper

    Dipper [OP] New Member

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    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.
     
  12. Oct 24, 2019 at 9:44 AM
    #42
    Dipper

    Dipper [OP] New Member

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    There are many overloaded half tons out there. Kind of scary.
     
  13. Oct 24, 2019 at 9:57 AM
    #43
    Dipper

    Dipper [OP] New Member

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    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.
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  14. Oct 24, 2019 at 2:41 PM
    #44
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    The Raptor has a different frame, but that’s it.

    There is no way to increase your payload rating other than taking weight off the truck.

    No vehicle manufacturer would re-certify modifications to increase capacity unless it came off their assembly line.

    I would also be surprised if a aftermarket builder would take responsibility either. I know this guy wouldn’t.

    Sounds like you should get the F-150 with the proper tow package and be happy.
     
  15. Oct 24, 2019 at 2:46 PM
    #45
    Professional Hand Model

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    Stripping the 4WD Transfer and front diff/prop shaft sheds and simultaneously opens up 400lb. for the 1st Gen’s!
     
  16. Oct 24, 2019 at 3:30 PM
    #46
    Winning8

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    Using a ½ ton truck to do a 1 ton truck job. What is the weakest link? The guy who make that stupid decision...:rofl::rofl::rofl:
     
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  17. Oct 25, 2019 at 3:53 PM
    #47
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    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.

    B374EACA-EBD3-45DE-BB33-1239AB65EE76.jpg
    89A3559D-FD13-42D2-BBA3-4F0EA236C0B7.jpg
     
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  18. Oct 25, 2019 at 3:56 PM
    #48
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    1500 lbs dry. Also unsafe and illegal.

    F918385C-8D7E-4B6A-943E-EFEF124EE4E3.jpg
     
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  19. Oct 25, 2019 at 7:03 PM
    #49
    Dipper

    Dipper [OP] New Member

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    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.
     
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  20. Oct 25, 2019 at 9:45 PM
    #50
    computeruser6

    computeruser6 Gott Mit Uns

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    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.
     
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  21. Oct 26, 2019 at 4:56 AM
    #51
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    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.
     
  22. Oct 26, 2019 at 2:31 PM
    #52
    computeruser6

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    capacity.jpg
     
  23. Oct 26, 2019 at 2:40 PM
    #53
    Professional Hand Model

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    Stretching for the win with your using Rare Breed ‘Regular Cab’ numbers.
     
  24. Nov 3, 2019 at 9:27 PM
    #54
    JaxSmith

    JaxSmith New Member

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    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.
     
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  25. Nov 27, 2019 at 12:28 PM
    #55
    westtx28

    westtx28 New Member

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2019

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