GVWR, payload, and truck campers...

[IHDiesel73L]

I'm learning a lot fast here with regard to truck campers, but now I've turned my attention to the truck itself. I'm planning on buying a Super Duty crew cab longbed and swapping the bed for an aluminum flatbed. I was hoping that I was going to be loosing a bunch of weight but as it turns out, pickup beds are not all that heavy, so it will basically be a wash. I wanted the flatbed anyway for a few reasons, one being the fact that I could use it as a stakebody for firewood hauling when the camper is not on. I'm going to be looking for an older Super Duty (from the 7.3L era) but I dug up some specs for the 2011 Super Duties on the assumption that the GVWRs are probably close. Here is what I found for an F-350 SRW crew cab longbox:

GVWR = 11,200lbs/Payload = 3,380lbs/Curb weight = 7,737lbs

I understand that GVWR is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle and everything in/on it, but am I correct in assuming that payload is the maximum amount of weight that can be carried in the bed as opposed to towed behind? I'm just trying to get a base number to work with in terms of how much my camper, everything in it, plus my auxiliary fuel tank/toolbox can weigh. For example, let's say that 3,380 is the correct base number-the auxiliary fuel tank (60 gallons) will likely weight in just under 500lbs sans tools since with the camper on I won't be able to get to it-I'm going to fab an extended filler neck for when the camper is on. 3,380 - 500 = 2880. Now I have to take into consideration the weight of fresh and black water tanks, and all gear. The camper shell itself should be pretty light as I'm planning going with aluminum framing and a fiberglass foam shell. The question is am I figuring this all correctly?

 

[cwsqbm]

I understand that GVWR is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle and everything in/on it, but am I correct in assuming that payload is the maximum amount of weight that can be carried in the bed as opposed to towed behind?

GVWR is the most weight that the truck can weight with its payload. CVWR (Combined Vehicle Weight Rating) is the most the truck + payload + trailer can weigh.

 

[oneeyedjackass]

good place to get ford truck info
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2004/maintoc.html
i think they go back to 2001

 

[bajajoaquin]

The payload is all weight carried, not just the stuff in the bed. That curb weight is probably the base model truck, without options. Power seats, windows, leather, and other conveniences are quite heavy. You should weigh the truck to get a true figure. You'll be surprised. I was.

Also remember that payload includes people. Four 170-pound people will eat into your available capacity.

 

[brianjwilson]

If you want to get an accurate number of what the truck can carry within it's GVWR, axle weight ratings and GCWR the only proper way to do it is drive onto a scale, one axle at a time.