Dodge/Ford Payload differences?

[FATCAT]

Why is there a huge (1,200 lbs. ) diffenence between the Crew Cab F350 DRW and the 3500 Quad-Cab DRW?



The Ford has a 5800+ limit and the Dodge has 4600+ as per the 2004 specs I have seen for 8' bed Dooley 4X4 diesel 6-speeds.



Is the frame of the new Ram not as strong as the Ford? Does the Ford now use Hydro-formed frames?



Whats the deal?

 

[VStahl]

as far as frames, the dodge uses a fully hydroformed frame front to rear and I do not believe the ford super duties do. I don't know about the pyload info though

 

[Casey Balvert]

I think the Dodge may weigh more. Even though the payload may be less, the trailer towing capacity is much higher in the Dodge. Not sure how they figure all of that out.



Casey

 

[rbattelle]

I think (someone will correct me if I'm wrong) that the Dodge weighs a lot more than the Ford (oh, about 1200 pounds or so ). That would account for the payload difference.

 

[klenger]

Are they both 4WD or 2WD. About a 500 lb difference between 2WD and 4WD.

 

[DPelletier]

Payload ratings are completely worthless. You need to check the GVWR of the trucks and deduct the weight of the vehicle. THAT's the true payload. All the manufacturers use fairytale payload and tow ratings based on fictitious trucks with absolutely no options. Maybe because the Ford is available as a C&C, they didn't include the weight of the bed!

Seriously, If you check it all out, I think you'll find that the Dodge can carry AT LEAST as much as the Ford. My GVWR is 12,000 lbs and last time I checked, that was the winning number. Aren't the '04. 5's rated at an even higher number? Ken?

FWIW, our trucks may be slightly heavier, but I doubt the difference is more than 200 or 300 lbs. There was a weight thread on IRV2 and the Chev and Ford boys were right up there.



Dave

 

[FDavid]

Actually the technological, eruditive and scientific reason the Ford can carry more (And I am sure Joe D. has the charts and reports to prove this) is because the Ford is a piece of crap

 

[DPelletier]

OK, I checked a 2004 F350 CC Dually = 11,500 GVWR. Soooooo

If the Dodge GVWR is 12,000 lbs - 7,250 for the truck = 4,750 lbs payload. 4600 Sounds in the right ballpark

On the other hand the F-350 with a GVWR of 11,500 - 5,800 lbs payload capacity = truck weight of 5,700 lbs. Sounds like a 2WD, reg cab gasser to me.



Dave

 

[FATCAT]

Originally posted by DPelletier

OK, I checked a 2004 F350 CC Dually = 11,500 GVWR. Soooooo

If the Dodge GVWR is 12,000 lbs - 7,250 for the truck = 4,750 lbs payload. 4600 Sounds in the right ballpark

On the other hand the F-350 with a GVWR of 11,500 - 5,800 lbs payload capacity = truck weight of 5,700 lbs. Sounds like a 2WD, reg cab gasser to me.



Dave

I'm looking at the '04 Superduty catelog right now. The 4X4 DRW, 176. 2" (crewcab) with the 6. 0L diesel has a 12,500 GVWR and a (correction from my first message) 5385 lb max payload. So the dodge must either be heavier than the Ford or the frame is not as strong.



Is there any way to increase the payload capasity (I don't think thats possible, but you guys seem to always some tricks up your sleeve).

 

[DPelletier]

No you can't.



Ford obviously upped the GVWR to 12,500 recently because I talked to a guy with an '04 and he said his was 11,500.

Makes a little more sense now though once you take 500 lbs off the payload and add 1,000 lbs to the GVWR.



Dave

 

[Elite1]

I'm not sure if it's still the same, but when buying a Ford can't you order a rugular F-350 (which has one GVWR), or you can upgrade to a "super-duty" F-350 (which has a higher GVWR). ?

 

[FDavid]

No, I think you are thinking of the f150 and the f150 with the HD payload package. The only differnce in ford f350's GVWR are SRW and Duallys

 

[superdave]

Yes, the Ford does have a hydro formed frame. They have had for a few years. You can not drill down into any hydro formed rail but you can drill into it from the side in some areas. Forming the frame under tremendous water pressure without heating it makes the frame have more tensile strength. At least that is what I have read. Aslo you can not weld onto the frame at all. It is my understanding that Ford voids the entire vehicle warranty if you like weld a gooseneck setup to the frame instead of bolting it.