why is there a different payload rating for in bed campers?

[jeeplj8]

just picked up a 2005 F-250. Was reading through some of the manual stuff that came with it (amazing I know). The payload rating is 2700 lbs, has a 10,000 GVWR and a curb weight of 7100.

There is a paper that came with that says for in bed campers not to exceed 1700 lbs.

Just curious how they come up with that is it has 2700 lbs payload?

[acadianbob]

It may have something to do with center of gravity and safety. In-bed campers will raise your roll center and cause the vehicle to be less stable. Wind buffeting can also be a consideration.

[thebrakeman]

Does it say the empty/dry camper can't be more than 1700...or the loaded (GVWR) camper? Perhaps they are accounting for 1000 lbs of:
-spare battery
-LP tank
-fresh water
-gray water
-luggage

Sometimes they don't trust you to really do the numbers, so they back things off for you. But the CG height difference sounds reasonable, too. Make an emergency lane change, and you could really unload 1 side and lose control.

[jeeplj8]

I figured they just knew all the RV manufacturers lie about their weight...

[ependydad]

Could it be a rear axle thing? Seems awfully unbalanced to think that 1,000 pounds would go to the front axle in normal situations.

Ironically, my 3500 DRW had a paper in the glove box that read "this truck isn't rated for truck campers". I emailed Chrysler about it and found out it was because I have the snowplow prep and they don't want me carrying both at once!

[jeeplj8]

the paper had some more complicated stuff on it, but the cargo capacity is what jumped out at me. It seems logical it would have more to do with stability than anything else.