Does anyone have any over-the-payload related incidents/stories?

bluffwandering

New Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2024
Messages
3
Location
UT
I see an insane amount of 1/2 ton and smaller pickups with slide-in campers installed. Most of the 4x4 crew cabs are certainly over GVWR, especially the vehicles running armor and with mountain bikes or a dirt bike on the back.

For the number of trucks out there, likely over GVWR, there doesn't seem to be many reports about tragic failures or lack of insurance coverage.

I know this is a common topic that usually ends up in discussions about the technical "frame/brakes/suspension/airbags/tires/wear and tear", and the "why you shouldn't". I'd love to hear some real-world stories, mishaps, and successes.
 
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I owned a heavy camper once upon a time. Nice knowing I won't have those issues with a popup camper.
 
No issues at all with our setup (2019 Tundra TRD with 2019 Hawk). I did put firestone ride rite airbags on before camper install, and a horse stall mat in the truck bed. No problems.
 
I have never understood all the conniption around GVWR. It is seems to be the one vehicle specification that certain forum lawyers care about, while purposely ignoring all others. I am over GVWR, but I also have the wrong tires, the wrong suspension, the wrong headlamp bulbs and and dozens of other deviations from the manufacturers specifications.

My insurance will cover me if I am drunk, speeding, and driving in oncoming traffic (that is the point of liability insurance), they definitely don't care that I am over GVWR and have the wrong tires installed.
 
I have no mishaps to share but I can tell you that I traded in a 2016 Ford F250 CC 4x4 with 10,000 miles and a payload of 2446 lbd after purchasing a Northern Lite 811 SE which the NL dealer told me would be just fine on my truck. After getting the camper and weighing it without the camper and with the camper installed, I was clearly overweight. Fully wet my camper weight 3800 lbs. I was really upset with the dealer but here's the deal. They are in business to sell campers, not to insure your truck has all the specs to handle the camper you are wanting to purchase from them.

It ended up costing my $6,000 to trade in my truck for a 2017 Ford F350 with a payload of 4226 lbs and everything was just fine after that. I did add Torklift Stableloads and airbags for the NL but did not need them. I do not have have that camper anymore but still have the same truck. Today it carries a Four Wheel Camper Hawk slide in and sits on my truck 24/7/365. It weighs 1600 lbs wet.

I am not the weight police by any means but everyone does have an individual responsibility to make sure your setup is safe to be on the road.
 
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My 2002 Toyota Tacoma in early 2019 with lots of stuff in preparation to build on a covered back porch. I had 12 bags of cement against the tailgate, which was probably the largest factor in the drooping butt. The long boards all went through the back window and up on top of the dashboard. The truck survived and I gave it to a family member after I replaced it with my current 4Runner.
 

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