RAWR vs. PAYLOAD

[ErikTheRed]

When discussing payload capacities, such as pin weight of a 5th wheel, it is often advised that the thing you really need to pay attention to is the rear axle weight rating. But since rated payload already accounts for axle weight ratings, why is this advice given? It seems to me that the rear axle weight rating and the stickered payload rating will be nearly identical after all is considered. If you have an axle rated at 7000, and you set 3000 lbs worth of truck on it, then the rated payload (the leftover) will be about 4000. Right? What am I missing? Why do people say "the axle weight rating is what matters?" Seems this could be dangerous advice-- because if you read the sticker in the door jamb and see "RAWR 7000#", this does NOT mean you can plop 7000 lbs of weight over the axle!

 

[cj8rockcrawler]

This advice comes from the payload being restricted be the truck classification. A 2500 and 3500 will often have the same axle with the same axle ratings, but different GVWR and different payloads.

 

[ArcticRam]

You have to consider more than just RAWR and Payload. You need to factor in GVWR, then you subtract your payload and that should be close to your vehicles Curb weight....your vehicle weight is the thing that will affect your available payload, that's why diesels have less payload because the vehicles are heavier and the GVWR is fixed, so the more options you add will increase the vehicles curb weight and thus will reduce your payload....now within your GVWR which is the max weight for vehicle you have the GAWR front and rear, that is the max weight that can be distributed on each axle.....the PRO tip is, you need to weigh your vehicle, once you weigh your vehicle you will know how your vehicle weight is constituted on the axles......so to get to your question, "But since rated payload already accounts for axle weight ratings, why is this advice given?" There is a scenario where you can have 3500lb payload but that does NOT mean you can accommodate a 3000 pin weight. Because if you put 3000 on the rear axle, there is a scenario where you could exceed the GAWR for the vehicle. That weight needs to be distributed between both axles....on the flip side, there could be a scenario where your GAWR exceeds the GVWR, this is where those derated trucks come in, the GVWR has been reduced.