Payload on 2500

[IMunro]

This is my 1st post to TDR. I have searched for days for the information that I need and seem to get more confused as time passes!!

My truck:

2000 2WD QC long-bed.

Camper special. (Overloads and stabilizer bar and what looks like a factory hitch. )

265 R75 16 Michelin tires came as an option

3. 55 limited slip rear-end

Auto trans



Previous owner installed BD ex. brake and a Torq-Loc plus Pyro and trans temp. , so it obvious that he towed a trailer. (No signs of a 5er hitch.



I expected to be able to haul an 8' to 8. 5' camper, since I had previously done so on and old 1/2 ton with additional springs and the only issue I had was with braking and fuel consumption. ( I had to stop often, <200 miles, and leave a respectable distance between me and any traffic. )



Here is the source of my confusion: The owner's manual speaks not at all about carrying a camper. The plate on door talks about MVGW of 8800# and also about so many pounds per axle with 245 R75 16 tires and wheels. According to the tires and wheels I have on the truck, I can carry 13660# at 80 psi cold! With the truck actual weight of 6760# (scaled at transfer stn) with two people and 1/2 tank of fuel, conservatively 500#, that leaves the empty truck at 6260#. I assume, therefore that the hitch, camper special parts, bedliner and B-D stuff accounts for the difference?? So my payload, according to the tires, would be 6800#. (Allowing 600# for 2 people and full tank of fuel)

BUT, nowhere can I find any adjustment for the camper special option or the larger tires. So what's the deal? The dealer copied a data sheet that implied a payload of 2740# and I assume that that is from empty weight, so if you subtract fuel, 250#, 2 people at 350#, that would leave just a little over 2100# for the camper and stuff.



Reliable sources, and this forum, have implied that cops etc. are concerned only about tire capacity. Does anyone know of a reliable source that I can feed the above data into and come up with an answer.



I never did weigh my old camper but it must be well over 2000# as I ended up with 1 ton springs on the old 318 and any hill pulled me down to 35-40 mph in 2nd. On the new truck it doesn't seem to know its there, but it does not fit well as the bed is narrower at the gate and I have to have a 6" spacer at the front of the bed to keep the camper from mangleing the sides at the latches.



My apologies for this being so long..... I was trying to define all the variables. Perhaps I am missing something very obvious.



Thanks for your time,



Ian

 

[DPelletier]

Ian,

I'll bite. Basically there are several issues, first lets deal with your manufacturer's legal maximim Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This rating is fixed at 8800 lbs. Payload ratings are generally a guess based on the weight of a truck in heaven. You need to weigh your truck (which you've done) and subtract that from the GVWR. so 8800 - 6260 = 2540 lbs payload capacity based on your data above.

That part is easy to figure out, the hard part is to decide whether or not it is appropriate to exceed that number. You will get much debate whenever you ask the question, but at the MINIMUM, I would suggest not exceeding your GAWR (axle ratings) or max tire load ratings. You may also want to consider the rim maximum rating. The GAWR on my 2001. 5 auto was 6084 lbs FWIW.

Also keep in mind that you need to allow for 500 - 1000 lbs of c*ap in the camper plus its dry weight as well as whatever else you have in the truck.

As far as cops only being concerned with tires, I guess it depends where you are and where you are going. I have also heard that up here they don't fine you if you're within 10 percent of your GVWR, but that could well be a fairy tale.



Hope this helps,

Dave



ps. without any further info, I think you're probably fine with an 8' or 8 1/2' camper. I had my 3217 lb camper (fully loaded) on my 2001. 5 QC LWB camper package 2500, but when it came time to upgrade I got the 3500 DRW to make me feel better.

 

[BRUTUS]

Loads

I feel your pain Ian.

I'm looking at a slide-in camper weighing 2600 lbs dry. Adding the above mentioned c*ap will definitely exceed the official 8800 lb limit.

Trying to find answers is a PIA due to all the variables.

To further cloud the issue, what about the first srw 3500s with the same rear end components the we have? I seem to have read on this forum that on their first models they just arbitrarily upped the GVWR to suit the occasion.

Using the GAWR might work, if we are careful and sensible about the weight distribution, proper tires, wheels and inflation pressures. However... what about the insurance appraiser or the patrolman who only goes by the factory recommendations he finds in his data base?

Not looking for recommendations or legal advice here. Just hoping that real people with real life solutions will offer their ideas and solutions.

Les

 

[GFritsch]

Set the truck up with air bags. If the bed is level and the truck does not sway they will not bother. That being said we have a 2500 that handles our 4,000# camper (overloaded) o. k. --many miles thru many states--We have decided to treat ourselves to the new truck. At some point there is a cost associated to worry.



Yea, I know we will still be too heavy, but I will drive easier.



Wouldn't worry about the cops--Brutus

 

[IMunro]

Thank you, gentlemen, for taking the time to reply. I hope that your "bite" didn't give you indigestion, Dave!!



So what I gather is ... ... if it feels right that it probably is, particularly if it also looks right. I will weigh the old camper, before I send it off to 'Camper Heaven' and use that as a baseline. I really need to get a bathroom and shower in order to induce my significant other to accompany me on my various jaunts. Thanks again, and "Happy camping"!!



Ian





The aforementioned truck plus



a 2003 Triumph Bonnevile T100



Did I mention that I love my truck? I don't know if I like the "quiet" of the new CTD... . but I'm sure the neighbours would!