How much weight can a Ford hold?

In simple terms, a Ford's payload—how much cargo and passengers it can carry safely—depends on the model and configuration. Across Ford's lineup, payload can range from roughly 1,500 pounds up to about 7,000 pounds, with heavy-duty Super Duty trucks offering the higher end. The exact figure for your vehicle is found on the door jamb placard and in the owner's manual.

What payload means and how it's calculated

Payload is the combined weight of passengers, cargo, and fluids that the vehicle can safely carry. It is calculated as the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) minus the curb weight (the weight of the vehicle with standard equipment and a full tank but no passengers or cargo). Vehicle configurations—engine, drivetrain, cab/bed, and installed options—change GVWR and curb weight, so the payload changes accordingly.

Common Ford models and typical payload ranges

The following ranges reflect common configurations and are not a substitute for the exact rating on your vehicle's door sticker. For precise numbers, consult the placard on the door or the official Ford build sheet.

• Ford F-150: roughly 1,500 to 3,300 pounds (about 680 to 1,496 kg), depending on cab/bed length, drivetrain, and option packages.


• Ford F-250 Super Duty: roughly 3,000 to 6,000 pounds (about 1,360 to 2,720 kg), depending on configuration and engine choice.


• Ford F-350 Super Duty: roughly 4,000 to 7,000 pounds (about 1,815 to 3,175 kg), depending on gear, axle ratio, and options.


• Ford Expedition: roughly 1,500 to 2,500 pounds (about 680 to 1,134 kg), depending on trim, equipment, and seating configuration.

These figures illustrate how the heavier-duty the model and the more equipment, the higher the GVWR—and thus the payload capacity—tends to be. However, always verify your specific vehicle's numbers rather than relying on generic ranges.

How to determine the payload for your specific vehicle

To get an exact payload figure for your Ford, use the following steps:

1. Find the GVWR and curb weight on the vehicle's door jamb placard or the owner's manual.


2. Subtract the curb weight from the GVWR to obtain the maximum payload the chassis is rated to carry.


3. Subtract the approximate weight of additional equipment or aftermarket components if you want a more conservative number for planning loads.


4. Remember that passengers and cargo count toward payload, along with fluids like fuel and oil.

Whenever you load the vehicle, stay at or below the published payload to maintain safety, handling, and compliance with warranty terms.

Tips for safe loading and payload management

Practical tips to stay within payload limits and protect vehicle performance:

• Distribute weight evenly from side to side and over the axles; avoid stacking heavy items high or toward the rear only.


• Keep heavy items low and close to the floor to lower center of gravity and improve stability.


• Check tire pressure; underinflated tires reduce payload capacity and increase wear.


• Periodically recheck payload if you change configurations (passenger count, cargo, or hitch/towing equipment).

Following these guidelines helps ensure you stay within limits and maintain safe handling, braking, and durability of the vehicle.

Summary

Payload capacity varies widely across Ford's lineup, from around 1,500 pounds on larger SUVs to as much as 7,000 pounds on the heavy-duty Super Duty trucks. The exact figure for any given vehicle is determined by its GVWR and curb weight, both of which are specified on the door placard and in the owner's manual. Always verify the numbers for your specific build or configuration and load within those limits for safety and compliance.

How much weight can you put in a Ford 150?

The F-150's load capacity (payload capacity) varies significantly based on the model's configuration, with a maximum payload of up to 3,325 pounds for some models. Key factors that influence this capacity include the engine, cab style, bed length, drivetrain, and optional packages. To find the specific payload for a particular truck, check the yellow sticker on the driver's side door jamb, which lists the exact weight capacity for that vehicle. 
Factors affecting F-150 payload capacity

• Engine: Different engines have different power outputs and weights, affecting overall capacity. For example, a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 has a higher max payload than a 5.2L Supercharged V8 in many configurations. 
• Cab Style: Heavier cab styles, like the Super Crew, have a lower payload capacity than lighter configurations, such as the Regular Cab. 
• Bed Length: Longer beds are heavier, which can decrease the payload capacity compared to a shorter bed. 
• Drivetrain: Four-wheel drive (4x4) trucks are typically heavier than two-wheel drive (4x2) trucks, which can impact payload. 
• Optional Equipment: Many factory options and aftermarket accessories, such as sunroofs, bedliners, and running boards, add weight to the truck and reduce the available payload capacity. 

This video explains what is payload capacity and how it is determined for different F-150 configurations: 1mCars With SteveYouTube · Mar 30, 2024
How to find a specific F-150's payload capacity

• Check the sticker: The most accurate way to find a specific truck's payload capacity is to look at the yellow "payload sticker" located on the driver's side door jamb. 
• Consult the owner's manual or dealer: If you can't find the sticker, your Ford owner's manual or a dealership representative can provide the exact specifications for that truck's configuration. 

How much weight can a Ford carry?

The Ford F150 bed can carry between 1,500 to 3,325 pounds. Regular Cab models can carry the most. SuperCrew models carry less because they are heavier. The exact capacity depends on the cab style, engine, drivetrain, and optional features.

How much weight can a 2015 F150 hold in the bed?

A 2015 F-150 can carry between 1,580 and 3,300 pounds in the bed, depending on its configuration, engine, and optional packages. The maximum payload is achieved with the 5.0L V8 engine and the Heavy-Duty Payload Package, while lighter configurations with other engines have lower limits. To find your specific truck's limit, check the payload sticker on the driver's side door jamb.
 
Factors affecting payload capacity

• Payload Package: The Heavy-Duty Payload Package (HDPP) increases the payload capacity significantly. 
• Engine: Models equipped with the 5.0L V8 engine or the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 tend to have higher payload ratings. 
• Cab and Drivetrain: Lighter cabs (like the Regular Cab) and rear-wheel drive generally have higher payload capacities than heavier versions like SuperCrew cabs or four-wheel drive models. 
• Other options: The specific trim level and any additional options will also affect the total weight capacity. 

How to find your truck's specific limit

• Check the door jamb sticker: The most accurate way to know your truck's payload capacity is to look at the sticker located on the driver's side door jamb. This sticker shows the specific weight rating for your truck's unique configuration.
• Calculate your payload: You can subtract the truck's curb weight from its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) to find the total payload capacity. 

How much weight can a Ford F-350 carry in the bed?

The F-350's maximum payload capacity is up to 8,000 pounds, but this varies significantly based on configuration, with lower capacities for different models. Configurations with dual rear wheels (DRW) and certain engine options, like the 6.8L V8 gas engine, can achieve the 8,000-pound maximum payload, while single rear wheel (SRW) models have lower capacities. 
Factors influencing payload capacity

• Dually vs. Single Rear Wheel: Models with dual rear wheels (DRW) have a higher payload capacity than single rear wheel (SRW) models. 
• Engine: The engine choice impacts the payload capacity. For example, the 6.8L V8 gas engine has a higher payload capacity than the 7.3L V8 in some configurations, notes RiverBend Ford. 
• Year and Trim: Payload capacity can also change depending on the model year and specific trim level. 
• Tires and Axle Ratings: The truck's tire and axle ratings act as the ultimate limitation for the amount of weight that can be carried, according to this Escapees Discussion Forum post. 

Examples of payload capacity by configuration

• Maximum payload (DRW): Up to 8,000 lbs. 
• 6.8L V8 gas engine (SRW/DRW): Up to 5,137 lbs for SRW and 8,000 lbs for DRW. 
• 7.3L V8 engine (SRW/DRW): Up to 7,635 lbs for DRW.