Truck Payload Capacity

[JAW]

I have 2003 Tundra TRD 4x4. I am a little concerned with my payload capacity (note -not the same as towing capacity) with a ATC/FWC if I were to buy one. The book says I have 1560lbs payload inlcluding occupants and luggage - so lets do the math.
Camper - 700lbs dry
5gallon water- 50lbs
full cooler - 50lbs
camper accesories - 100lbs (luggage rack,fridge,furnace etc.
propane - 30lbs
2 -adults - 350lbs (being generous) (with me an 3 of my hunting buddies easily looking at 800lbs total occumpants and that's before the bacon,eggs and pancakes for breaky)
2 - kids - 200lbs
Labrador - 70lbs
Luggage/camping gear for family - 100lbs
Already at a total of 1650 lbs so far and I still want the option pull a 18' aluminum fishing boat (tongue weight unknown), perhaps take a generator if I want or a chainsaw, or put a small car-topper boat on top with a 4hours outboard.
There seems to be a lot of Tundra's running these campers, but I am thinking that if I want to run in the 80%-90% range of capacity rather than be maxed out most of the time I need something that approaches the 2000lb range of payload. Does this mean I need to go to a 3/4 ton?

other camping gear

 

[HERR42]

it does not come out too good does it?

 

[JAW]

What is the payload of your F250 and is it enough do you find.

 

[Marc]

Jaw,

I have a F350 with a GVWR of 11100 lb.'s This gives me roughly 4100 lb.'s of payload.

Marc

 

[HERR42]

i would have to look up the specs again.
the crew cab has the least payload of all the configurations.

in any event yes i think that I am within limits when fully loaded....but with not much safety margin.

I replaced the 26G tank with a 48G from "transfer-flow" upon purchase. So with that filled, plus 20G of water in the Hawk's tank and another four in the water heater and all the other "stuff" i am ok.

but, i am still entertaining a leaf spring add-on to elevate the bed just a couple of inches.
if i had a good level spot i would get out a ruler and take some measurements. i think the rear sags just a bit. Oh yes, and i know that the factory overload leafs contact their "bumper" when going over speedbumps etc.

 

[JAW]

Did a little research and some kicking tires. Might go to a Silverado 2500HD crew cab short box 4x4. Seller told me payload is 3000lbs plus which is well within the range I need. 2000lbs would be sufficient but it seems if you want anything above the 1600lb range one has to make the jump from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton. Probably look at a lift kit and air bags to get to be more off-road. Really like my Tundra, thought I would have it forever but needs have changed.

 

[Kilroy]

I believe the new Tundra has a higher load capacity.

I'm sure the load capacity's listed for trucks is already a "safe" number that includes a margin for safety. They couldn't take a chance on liability risks by having a truck loaded to stated capacity just short of being overloaded.

 

[JAW]

I checked out the new Tundra. It seems that although the new 07 Tundra has a lot more power (towing capacity) it actually has less payload capacity than my 03. According to the 07 specs. a 4x4 TRD Access cab short box is now 1380 lbs. My 03, as I said before is listed at 1560 lbs.

 

[brett13]

Having the '07 Tundra, I am very comfortable that is is under-rated in payload (3" sag at hitch and plently of room to stops with 1600+lbs; handles great, feels safe, brakes and corners awesome). However, the boat you mentioned would put you even further over the posted specs than I would be comfortable with.

 

[Mark W. Ingalls]

(Having recently suffered much at the hands of someone who decided to use the legal system against me, I hope you all will take this comment for what it's worth...)

In court, it's not so much what might seem reasonable, as what is proscribed. If you overload your vehicle and are involved in an accident, lawyers may use that choice, however reasonable it may seem to you, to their advantage. The deeper are your pockets, the greater is their advantage.

Caveat lector!

 

[Tomas Tierra]

Four adults and two kids seems like an aweful lot of passengers. Is it a double cab Tundra??

 

[JAW]

Wouldn't be anyone more than four people and a dog max in an ext cab. Simply pointing out that four men could be close to 800lbs, but most times it would be two adults, two kids.