Weight of 1/2 ton trucks (as a toad, not for towing)

[learntorv]

I've been trying to figure out a toad for an upcoming motorhome transition. I really need a truck because of the whole sewer bladder and my wife being present for one of the worst accidents I had with it.

I'm considering a 2018-2020 F150 or Ram/Chevy 1500. I think they need to be 4x4 to be towable, though I need to check the details. And, I need it to be a crew cab for carrying my people.

Does anyone have one and can post what their GVWR and payload sticker is?

(Subtracting the GVWR - payload should give me a ballpark of the actual curb weight.)

[TandW]

In your search bar type your subject and then specs. You will be surprised!

[carybosse]

Have you considered a midsize truck like a Colorado/Canyon/Tacoma/Ranger/Frontier?

It will probably be 500 pounds lighter than the FS, with a curb weight, assuming you don't fill the bed with stuff. But then, you can fill the FS bed with a lot more stuff than the midsize.

It will be easier to tow, lighter, narrower so less wind resistance, and easier to tool around when you reach your destination. Perhaps a few dollars less expensive as well.

Only way I would choose a FS for a TOAD would be I already had it or needed it for other duties, or needed to comfortable haul multiple people.

If only the two of you, the extended cab might even cut another couple of hundred pounds of weight.

[learntorv]

Originally Posted by carybosse

Have you considered a midsize truck like a Colorado/Canyon/Tacoma/Ranger/Frontier?

It will probably be 500 pounds lighter than the FS, with a curb weight, assuming you don't fill the bed with stuff. But then, you can fill the FS bed with a lot more stuff than the midsize.

It will be easier to tow, lighter, narrower so less wind resistance, and easier to tool around when you reach your destination. Perhaps a few dollars less expensive as well.

Only way I would choose a FS for a TOAD would be I already had it or needed it for other duties, or needed to comfortable haul multiple people.

If only the two of you, the extended cab might even cut another couple of hundred pounds of weight.

Family of 4 + extras aren’t uncommon for us, so I liked the idea of the little bit of extra space. I checked the smaller trucks and the Tacos and Frontiers aren’t flat towable. The Colorado and Ranger both are in 4x4 form.

I was surprised at how heavy they were still. I got weights for a Colorado and it still came out to 4,600 pounds which is pretty close to our 5k cutoff. I’m now realizing that the 1/2 tons are almost definitely going to be out of our weight class.

[Psneeld]

Think the Frontiers in 4X4 are towable...but maybe not all models or years.

Looked at them before I got my Ranger 2021 Supercab 4X4 XLT...the curb weight on it was very accurate at around 4450 lbs.

The back seats are OK for kids but big teen or adults may not like more than 15-20 minute trips.

[SuperGewl]

Forget a 1/2-ton PU, unless you plan on doing a regular cab not a 4 door. Also, even the Ranger and Colorado are pushing it if you go whole hog, and you will not be able to put stuff in the bed due to the weight limit. Now if you up your MH to a FRED or DP then you will be better off. Your other options are SUVs, but be very careful on what you pick, just make sure the owner's manual states it's flat towable, don't trust the dealer.
Oh I forgot about the Super C's.

[learntorv]

Originally Posted by Psneeld

Think the Frontiers in 4X4 are towable...but maybe not all models or years.

Looked at them before I got my Ranger 2021 Supercab 4X4 XLT...the curb weight on it was very accurate at around 4450 lbs.

The back seats are OK for kids but big teen or adults may not like more than 15-20 minute trips.

Sorry, I misspoke. The Frontiers are flat towable if they’re a manual transmission. That’s a non-starter for my wife. Heck, I can drive them, I just don’t enjoy it.

[learntorv]

Originally Posted by SuperGewl

Forget a 1/2-ton PU, unless you plan on doing a regular cab not a 4 door. Also, even the Ranger and Colorado are pushing it if you go whole hog, and you will not be able to put stuff in the bed due to the weight limit. Now if you up your MH to a FRED or DP then you will be better off. Your other options are SUVs, but be very careful on what you pick, just make sure the owner's manual states it's flat towable, don't trust the dealer.
Oh I forgot about the Super C's.

Yeah, that’s what I’m seeing. Motorhome choice is set in stone.

Toad “needs” to be a truck because I use a sewer bladder and I’ve had a couple of bodacious spills that would wreck the interior of a SUV. I looked at cargo racks and I’d have to really monitor how full I fill the bladder.

I checked the GVWR - payload of a Colorado 4x4 and it was high, like 4,600 pounds. I didn’t guess the 1/2-tons to be nearly 1k heavier.

[arcaguy]

My 2008 Ford F150 with an 8 foot bed, regular cab, 6 cylinder and a manual transmission clocked in an about 5,050 lbs., I don't recall the payload. My 2004 F150HD 4x4 extended cab, 8 ft. bed with a 5.4 and an automatic weight 6,497 with me and a full tank of gas and has a payload of 1,703. These are probably pretty close to the extremes of scale for F150s. I don't know what current models are this should put you in the ball park. Here's a link to 2021 Ford models: https://tailoredtrucks.com/blog/ford...06%2C050%20lbs

[learntorv]

Originally Posted by arcaguy

My 2008 Ford F150 with an 8 foot bed, regular cab, 6 cylinder and a manual transmission clocked in an about 5,050 lbs., I don't recall the payload. My 2004 F150HD 4x4 extended cab, 8 ft. bed with a 5.4 and an automatic weight 6,497 with me and a full tank of gas and has a payload of 1,703. These are probably pretty close to the extremes of scale for F150s. I don't know what current models are this should put you in the ball park. Here's a link to 2021 Ford models: https://tailoredtrucks.com/blog/ford...06%2C050%20lbs

Thanks for the info. That definitely puts them above what I can tow.

[theroc]

As somebody mentioned above, there are several sites that will give you the curb weight, payload, and GVWR from the factory secifications. I'll use a site I often use and each link will give you both curb weight and payload capacity for all the configurations for that year:

2018 Ford F-150

2019 Ford F-150

2020 Ford F-150

2018 Chevy Sliverado 1500

2019 Chevy Sliverado 1500

2020 Chevy Sliverado 1500

2019 Ram 1500

2020 Ram 1500


Giving it just a quick scan, it appears that the Chevy is the lightest. The Ram curb weight is over 5,000 lbs. and the lightest Ford is just under. No matter, you'll be cutting it close if your towing capacity is 5,000 lbs. especially if your motorhome is close to its GVWR which I'm guessing it could be with your family and their belongings. If you'll be towing it with the bed of the pickup loaded with something, you'll most likely be over the 5,000 lbs.



eta: looking at the weights a bit closer for the 4WD and crew cab configuration, almost all of them are right at or over 5,000 lb. curb weight.

[RescueRamsey]

This is my truck on a cat scale. 2022 f150, 4 door and 4 wheel drive. It is flat tow capable. Oh and this is the weight with 2 people in it, on 160# and one 260# so the actual weight of the truck is 4920. Not bad for a full size truck. Also, it's one oh the quietest best riding truck I've been in.

[Dutch Star Don]

I towed a 2016 Canyon, 4 door, 4x4 behind our coach for 5 years. We bought the Canyon because it will comfortably seat four large adults. I towed mine behind a DP, so it wasn't an issue. However, my neighbor tows a 2016 Canyon diesel 4 door, 4x4 behind his Fleetwood gas (Ford chassis) without an issue. I believe the diesel comes in at about 5000 pounds.

On my 2016 Canyon, I installed a Flip Bak tonneau cover which gives you both dry and secure storage for clothing, food and gear when you have the whole family with you.

[learntorv]

Originally Posted by theroc

Giving it just a quick scan, it appears that the Chevy is the lightest. The Ram curb weight is over 5,000 lbs. and the lightest Ford is just under. No matter, you'll be cutting it close if your towing capacity is 5,000 lbs. especially if your motorhome is close to its GVWR which I'm guessing it could be with your family and their belongings.

Fortunately the difference between GVWR and GCWR is 6,000 pounds so I have some padding.

Thanks for the CurbWeights site. That seems helpful.