TV payload question

[OnTheGo]

I am currently shopping for a new TV. I start with payload, and go from there. I'm driving a 2017, so it's been 7 years since I seriously looked at any of them.

I don't favor a specific brand, and will buy the one that has the features I want. So far, I've looked at Ford and Toyota. You can't do an apples-to-apples comparison, but a Tundra 4x4 has about 200 more pounds of payload than a comparable F150. And that's what I'm calling "off the line numbers", or before anything is added. That's very different than it used to be - "if" the numbers are correct.

I'm going to look for some Tundras on the lot(s) and see what the payload stickers actually read. Does anyone have any experience with Toyota's door jam sticker numbers?

Ford SuperDuty has a 10K GVWR option that's attractive. It's more truck than I probably want and it must ride like a tank, but it would certainly support / handle any trailer I will ever own.

... will greatly appreciate your thoughts and comments.

[ARoamer]

Our 2020 chevy 3500 rides nicer unloaded than loaded. Test drive em!

[Jerry713]

I can’t speak specifically to the newer model Tundra’s but I have pulled many travel trailers with 1/2 ton trucks and more times than not I often wished I had more truck whether it was due to rough roads, high winds, stop and go traffic, etc. I think you are in the right track looking at payload ratings but it’s more than payload when determining a trucks towing ability. After many years of trying to “make it work” with 1/2 tons I now have a 2500 and have zero worries pulling out travel trailer. I recommend you consider a 3/4 ton. There is just no comparison and it’s sooo nice pulling a travel trailer with zero stress or worry.

I have a buddy that bought a 2024 Chevy 2500 6.6 gas with the 10 speed transmission. It’s not fancy but does have remote start and some other features and it is nice! It pulls GREAT, gets 18-19 mpg highway (driving 70-73 mph) and he paid right at 54k out the door (for a 4x4).

[Russc25]

Newer trucks have more and more payload but 95% of people buy them as daily drivers so they have relatively softer suspension than they used to (same springrate, more unloaded weight, with lots of travel and much better shocks to keep from feeling like a 1980 caddy) for comfort+payload. The newer 3/4 and 1 tons have come a LONG way in ride quality too though. Ironically, too soft of a suspension can feel firm if you're using the bumpstops instead (case and point, my gen1 insight has stupidly soft springs in back and little travel so the slightest bump hits the bump stops resulting in lots of people complain that it's "too firm".

Ride quality is super subjective though... what one person calls squishy suspension, the next calls riding like a boxcar.

[Camp CA]

Originally Posted by OnTheGo

......Ford SuperDuty has a 10K GVWR option that's attractive. It's more truck than I probably want and it must ride like a tank, but it would certainly support / handle any trailer I will ever own......

Yep, a high GVWR truck is a good option and might be more truck but you will have an investment for current and future towing requirements. My Ford truck rides a little rough without towing but very smooth / comfortable towing plus the diesel torque for upgrades and exhaust brake for downgrades and overall braking are hugh pluses.

[Camper_bob]

I agree with the many others who suggested "just get the 3/4T and don't worry about it".

Ride is VERY subjective, and HD truck suspension has come a LONG way in the last few years. My 3/4T Ram 4x4 I thought rode pretty good, especially when you loaded it up. My wife's assessment "it's like a cast iron bath tub on casters". But then she never rode in the larger trucks of old, that had solid axles front and rear, and rode on leaf springs front and rear.

Inflate your LT tires to the appropriate pressure for the load (hint, it's NOT 80 lbs rear and 75 front unless you're fully loaded), and it's even better.

[spoon059]

The Tundra has one of the lowest payloads of half ton trucks. You can get some F150s with over 2500 lbs of payload. I had a Tundra and loved it, just outgrew it.

I have a 2015 Ram 2500 with the rear coils. It is just as nice of a ride as my 2010 Tundra was. The coils are very compliant, but support a great deal of weight.

Having owned a half ton, and currently owning a 3/4 ton, I will likely never own another half ton truck again. 3/4 and 1 ton trucks are SO much beefier, heavier, stronger and are built with much more durable components, it's not worth the tradeoff in price or fuel for a half ton. The Ram is just more solid feeling when towing. The frame, engine, trans, brakes, suspension, control arms, wheels, tires, axles, etc are much stronger in a 3/4 or 1 ton. The truck handles SO much better when towing.

[billcf7]

Every truck is going to have decreased payload as the options increase no matter the manufacturer

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by billcf7

Every truck is going to have decreased payload as the options increase no matter the manufacturer

That's true, but if you start out higher, you end up higher. My Ram 2500 was a Tradesman with just about every option available, and still had over 3000 lbs of available payload (thanks in no small part to the 6.4L Hemi which is MUCH lighter than the Cummins Diesel).

Pay attention to the gear ratio though. I bought mine specifically to tow heavy, and settled for the 3.73. The available 4.10 would have been better for what I needed, and was my ONLY regret with that truck.

[OnTheGo]

Originally Posted by billcf7

Every truck is going to have decreased payload as the options increase no matter the manufacturer

Agree. Payload in short is "what's left", so you get more CCC with a higher GVWR (assuming the same options). And as others have mentioned above, it improves the overall "ride" from not being near capacity.

[OnTheGo]

Thank you those that have posted to this thread. My search is now focused on a 3/4 ton.

[Murff]

Originally Posted by OnTheGo

Thank you those that have posted to this thread. My search is now focused on a 3/4 ton.

Awesome move!

Murff

[soonergypsy]

On my last 3 SD the 10k ratings is a sticker degrading. My first 2 where ordered trucks. I didn't order that option as the state regulation were I lived in was not an issue. Each state is different. May mean more taxes for the extra weight and possibly higher insurance.

Both trucks I ordered came stickered between 11250 and 11500.

[OnTheGo]

Originally Posted by soonergypsy

On my last 3 SD the 10k ratings is a sticker degrading. My first 2 where ordered trucks. I didn't order that option as the state regulation were I lived in was not an issue. Each state is different. May mean more taxes for the extra weight and possibly higher insurance.

Both trucks I ordered came stickered between 11250 and 11500.

... good to know. Thank you.

[Jerry713]

Originally Posted by OnTheGo

Thank you those that have posted to this thread. My search is now focused on a 3/4 ton.

Awesome!👍

[mplan]

I towed with a Tundra and had to install airbags due to the weak suspension. We traded it for an F250, good to go.