I've owned my '97 F150 for eleven years, so you'd think I wouldn't have to ask such a question, but...."Just how much weight can she hold?" The manual has a chart that lists the maximum weight, but it includes the weight of the vehicle which I have to subtract - after I get the vehicle weighed at a weigh station or other scale! (ridiculous, no?) I remember someone referring to the old F150s as 'quarter ton' trucks, 250s as half ton etc. (if memory serves). Does this mean I shouldn't put more than 500 lbs (1/4 ton) in her? Hell, I weigh 200 pounds - that only leaves 300lbs, and 300 lbs barely compresses the shocks. Today I put a full ton in the bed for a short distance (2 or 3 miles) and she was clearly overloaded, no rub, but her rear was riding very low. So anyway, back to my stupid question...how much weight can I safely put in her bed with a 200 pound man (me) driving her?

 

Your truck probably weighs about 4,000 pounds(+ or -).

Inside your driver's side door there should be a sticker that tells you the GVWR, the gross vehicle weight restriction. This number is the total weight capacity of the vehicle and it's load, including driver, gas, etc. Subtract your truck's weight from that number and you will have your load capacity.

On that note, I hauled 2200 pounds of dirt and 750 pounds of retaining wall block, together, for a total of 2950 pounds, in my 1996 F150. The rear was down to the suspension stops, but she hauled the load just fine.

 

There are no stupid questions but the ones you don't ask, that's what i've always been taught.

That's pretty good Dewman. I hauled 1600 lbs of concrete a few weeks ago for a project that my parents are doing around their pool and you could barely tell that there was anything in the bed.

Once again I think these are the toughest trucks on the road!!

 

i thought it was, "theres no such thing as stupid questions, just stupid people."

 

^^^That's true too.

 

I loaded my F150 with crushed driveway gravel...well "over" loaded is a better term...I hit 2650# on the scale but the truck had no real problem going 11 miles home. I did drive her slow & easy... On an older truck I had, the front wheels were coming off the ground! I'd drag the brakes to get better steering! Yep they are tough!

 

Thank you all! I feel much better now. I need to get another load (1 ton) of stone again next week and I was afraid to do it again without knowing some limits. I'll check my door sticker, and then haul the ton anyway! 2950 and 1600 - You guys make me sound like a light weight. Hell, maybe I'll get 2 tons! Thanks again!

 

"There is no such thing as a stupid question. Just stupid people that ask questions!"

 

1 ton = 2000 pounds

You should be just fine hauling it.

 

[quote=dewman;75392]1 ton = 2000 pounds

D'oh!, "I knew that!" LOL