Please bear with me as I am a newbie at this message board stuff so here goes. What can I do to increase the payload capacity of my 1999 F250 4x4 Crew Cab Diesel truck? I am considering purchasing a truck camper and as it turns out I have the worst possible combination of options for total payload. After subtracting the curb weight from the gvwr I am left with about 1000 lbs of hauling capacity according to Ford specs. Am I overthinking this or are there some options for me? I have already installed air bags on my axles as I previously towed a 35' 5th wheel with no problems but it seems you figure truck camper weights differently.

 

There is a web site I visit alot that could give you an answer to your question at www.iRV2.com God to the Forums and ask your question. And welcome to the board

 

Are you sure you don't just have a math error somewhere?

I don't have crewcab numbers for 1999.
I did find these:

F250 regular cab (curb weight=4956, Maximum payload=6975)
F250 ext cab short bed (curb weight=5189, Maximum payload=5278)
F250 ext cab long bed (curb weight=5278, Maximum payload=6850)

In all cases, the trucks can carry more than it's own weight in the bed.

What in the world kind of options did you get that weigh two tons and reduce your payload to 1,000 lbs?

 

I agree...the math is off somewhere.
The least GVWR for your truck is 8800#'s
Curb weight of a F250SD Diesel Crew Cab around 5000#'s giving you bed capacity of about 3800#'s

If you added Firestone Ride Rite air bags to the rear axle in that truck you are good for at least an additional 2000#'s at only 50PSI or 5000#'s at 100PSI of bed weight making your bed capacity somewhere around 5000-9000#'s. Make sure your tires are rated to carry this load before doing this though.

The only reason that these numbers would be off is if this is a real early '99 in the old body style and not a Super Duty.

 

I don't think so, the non-Super Duty F250 'old style' wasn't offered in a crewcab back in 1999, it came in a supercab but even that one only had three doors.

If he has a '99 crewcab, it has to be a Super Duty. I'm almost sure.

 

I understand what you are saying except that the numbers come directly from the Ford RV & trailer towing guide which I have for the model year 2000 (I didnt get one for the 1999 when I bought the truck). It would seem that some of the things working against me are the fact that it is a crew cab, long bed,and a diesel motor.You are correct in that it is a Super Duty and has a gvwr of 8800lbs. According to this guide, the truck with the most payload capacity , barring the F350 of course, is a super duty 4x2 regular cab with the gas engine. It has a payload of 3317lbs and the numbers decline from there depending on the cab size, bed size 2 or 4 wheel drive and type of engine. According to this chart, all the F150's on the list have a greater payload than my F250!! Please advise.

sparkybeau1

 

Here's your specs for a '99 4x4 F250 Crew Cab w/ 7.3 Diesel
Load Capacity...........GVWR
3200.......................8800
This means that your curb weight is 5600lbs.

Now if you loaded all kinds of stuff into your truck and it weights now close to 7800#'s so your load capacity is only 1000#'s like you originally stated...buy a larger truck...I recommend a F450.

But if you haven't loaded 2200#'s of stuff in your truck, the numbers above are accurate.


Now you added air bags...this effectively changes your load capacity from 3200 to 5200 with just 50PSI in the air bags
3200 to 8200 with 100PSI in the air bags

Mind you putting 8200#'s in your bed would be difficult to fit just about anything but lead or gold to make that weight.

So my point is your bed capacity with air bags is adequate to carry almost 2 F150's....and any camper that will fit

 

Thanks for all of your help. Outside input is always helpful especially when you are unsure about the situation. Thanks again

 

Hey, just so all of you dont think I am crazy or something, humor me. Go to www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...ng/default.asp
click on the respective year towing guide
click on slide in campers
view the chart
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