Is there a bed weight limit

[Cummins12V98]

You’re making it clear that you don’t understand, no doubts there.

You could absolutely hit that rating, but not with the trailer you tow. There are other ways to load these trucks than how you load yours. Is that clear? In case it’s not, load up the aft portion of the bed with a pallet of bricks, then put 1800lbs on the ball without WDH and see what your FAW and RAW are, and if that doesn’t do it then put more weight in the bed. You’ll hit 9,750# and be dropping the FAW in doing so.

I would have to remove 1,000# from my front axle to be 14k. Not so safe!

 

[AH64ID]

I would have to remove 1,000# from my front axle to be 14k. Not so safe!

You asked how, that’s how. Maybe won’t handle quite like your truck does, but it’s 100% within ratings and is the math that it takes to answer your question.

All the weight aft of the rear axle removes weight from the front axle, which is why it would work.

 

[Cummins12V98]

You asked how, that’s how. Maybe won’t handle quite like your truck does, but it’s 100% within ratings and is the math that it takes to answer your question.

All the weight aft of the rear axle removes weight from the front axle, which is why it would work.

You asked how, that’s how. Maybe won’t handle quite like your truck does, but it’s 100% within ratings and is the math that it takes to answer your question.

All the weight aft of the rear axle removes weight from the front axle, which is why it would work.

THAT is just an accident waiting to happen! I really don't think RAM would condone such loading/unloading.

 

[AH64ID]

THAT is just an accident waiting to happen! I really don't think RAM would condone such loading/unloading.

It’s 100% within their ratings, what they don’t condone is you exceeding 14K GVW.

 

[Cummins12V98]

It’s 100% within their ratings, what they don’t condone is you exceeding 14K GVW.

So, please tell me why RAM, GM, Ford all set their GVWR to 14k and let's not forget the more capable with higher axle ratings the F450 pickup.

 

[AH64ID]

So, please tell me why RAM, GM, Ford all set their GVWR to 14k and let's not forget the more capable with higher axle ratings the F450 pickup.

Class III likely has a lot to do with it, but that’s how they make them.

If you want more GVWR buy a 4500/5500.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Class III likely has a lot to do with it, but that’s how they make them.

If you want more GVWR buy a 4500/5500.

YES Class 3 has everything to do with this whole discussion!

Don’t want or need more as I am at or within axle and combined towing numbers. My tonnage covers my truck weight so good to go.

RAM may use the 14k to deny coverage (they didn’t on my trans claim) but the numbers listed don’t lie.

 

[TJJEEPER]

No problem, load it down!
https://www.carscoops.com/2022/12/a...ram-3500-dually-in-half-to-the-tune-of-17000/

 

[Cummins12V98]

No problem, load it down!
https://www.carscoops.com/2022/12/a...ram-3500-dually-in-half-to-the-tune-of-17000/

Sure would be nice to know more FACTS.

 

[TJJEEPER]

Sure would be nice to know more FACTS.

That was just a quick search but it does give some details about center of gravity and weight limits. Along with the information from the camper manufacture AND diligent calculations of what you're going to put in the camper, you can make an educated guess on what works and what doesn't.

I believe if you search some more on that particular incident, you'll find additional information.

Keep in mind, The SALESMAN told him everything was cool. I would bet $100 that neither salesman looked at the other's documentation to make that "everything's cool" decision.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Truck camper sales people never tell the people truck is to small. It would be a deal breaker every time. You mean I have to buy a new truck to haul this thing really. Also truck campers just keep getting bigger and bigger. Two slide outs side door so you can hang things off the back and haul a trailer. It’s got just crazy what you see out on the road

 

[BigPapa]

That was just a quick search but it does give some details about center of gravity and weight limits.

I didn’t see anything in that article about COG.

If it was loaded properly with the COG where it should be, wouldn’t the broken ends of the frame have been pushed DOWN, not up?

 

[AH64ID]

I didn’t see anything in that article about COG.

If it was loaded properly with the COG where it should be, wouldn’t the broken ends of the frame have been pushed DOWN, not up?

The CG window is centered on the rear axle, so you can be in the window and still aft of the axle.

That’s also static CG, and dynamic loads are likely what caused the frame to fail and pull up at the fail point.

 

[User113]

its all about class ratings. Why is the pickup F450 only 14k???

A manufacturer can slap any model name on any vehicle they want, and it doesn't have any legal effect on a vehicle's class rating. The fact that the Ford F450 pickup has a "4" in its model name does not make it a class 4. Note that Ram plays those games too, check out this chart (I believe it may be 2011?). The 3500 SRW Chassis Cab lists a GVWR of 9,900 lbs, making it a class H (see 49 CFR § 565.15) or class 2b (see 49 CFR § 523.2). And similarly, a RAM 4500 with a GVWR of 16,500 is legally a class 5 truck.

But, even those are purely subjective; from 40 CFR 1037.801:

Gross axle weight rating (GAWR) means the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the maximum weight of a loaded axle or set of axles, consistent with good engineering judgment.

Gross combination weight rating (GCWR) means the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the maximum weight of a loaded vehicle and trailer, consistent with good engineering judgment. For example, compliance with SAE J2807 is generally considered to be consistent with good engineering judgment, especially for Class 3 and smaller vehicles.

Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) means the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the maximum design loaded weight of a single vehicle, consistent with good engineering judgment.​

"Generally considered"? "Consistent with good engineering judgment"? Yeah, right. It would not surprise me if truck makers are arbitrarily assigning GVWRs (tempered, of course, with "good engineering judgment") to specific vehicles to maximize profits based on the state rules where they sell the most trucks.

Don't get hung up on the model names and focus instead on the actual rating stickers.

Then...do what you want with it. It's your truck; and your liability.

 

[SnoKing]

Both my 2001.5 with 8,800 GVWR and my 2015 with a 11,700 GVWR were licensed in Washington State to 12,000 pounds in accordance with the states formula for assigned tonnage. Tare weight time 1.5 and rounded to next higher even K. In Washington one has the option to pay for additional tonnage in 2K increments.

 

[User113]

There you go! The Feds actually have a number of different classifications for trucks promulgated independently by the EPA, the Highway Administration, and others; and not to be outdone, each state seems to have different classifications of their own, that get applied to emissions and economy standards, taxes, tolls and fees; all to separate you from your hard-earned money; every standard (i.e., classification schedule) seemingly unrelated to any other!

 

[TJJEEPER]

There you go! The Feds actually have a number of different classifications for trucks promulgated independently by the EPA, the Highway Administration, and others; and not to be outdone, each state seems to have different classifications of their own, that get applied to emissions and economy standards, taxes, tolls and fees; all to separate you from your hard-earned money; every standard (i.e., classification schedule) seemingly unrelated to any other!

All which has no bearing on how much you can physically carry and where on the truck. Legally, yes...