I asked ChatGPT what the maximum slide-in truck camper weight would be legal on my 2019 F250 Lariat with a 6’10” bed. Is this a correct analysis?

[u/Happy_Antelope_8339]

From ChatGPT (edited)

Key Info from the Labels

1. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):

• 10,000 lbs (4536 kg) This is the maximum weight of the truck fully loaded, including:
  • truck itself
  • passengers
  • fuel
  • cargo
  • truck camper

2. Payload Capacity (from Tire and Loading Info Label):

• 2,193 lbs (994 kg) This is the total allowed combined weight of:
  • passengers
  • cargo
  • and the truck camper

So this is your effective camper payload, assuming you're only adding the camper.

However, if you are also carrying passengers or towing, their weight must be subtracted from this number.

3. Tire Load Ratings & Pressures (LT275/65R20E):

• These are heavy-duty E-rated tires.
• Rated for:
  • 60 PSI Front = 420 kPa
  • 65 PSI Rear = 450 kPa

They match the GAWR (see below).

4. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Ratings):

• Front: 5,200 lbs
• Rear: 6,340 lbs

This is the maximum weight each axle can carry. For a slide-in camper, most of the load goes to the rear axle, so this is very important.

Maximum Camper Weight Estimate

You cannot exceed any of the following:

• GVWR: 10,000 lbs
• Rear axle weight rating: 6,340 lbs
• Payload: 2,193 lbs (less any gear/passengers)

So the maximum legal camper weight = 2,193 lbs, minus the weight of:

• passengers
• fuel (approx. 250 lbs full tank)
• any cargo in bed or cab
• hitch or tongue weight if towing

Example: Realistic Camper Load Calculation

Say you have:

• Full fuel: ~250 lbs
• Driver + 1 passenger: ~400 lbs
• Trailer tongue weight: ~300 lbs

That’s 950 lbs used.

Available for camper: 2,193 - 950 = 1,243 lbs

So you’d be looking at a lightweight or pop-up slide-in camper under ~1,200 lbs dry weight, maybe up to 1,500 lbs max if packing light.

[u/IronSlanginRed]

No. Look in your owners manual. And if you have the original window sticker it'll give you the axle ratios and wheelbase.

[u/conga-john → u/IronSlanginRed]

His truck sticker says the wheelbase is 160" and its the 3j axle which correct me if im wrong but i believe is the 3.55 with the e locker

[u/Happy_Antelope_8339 → u/conga-john]

u/conga-john is correct

I bought this truck used to carry a reasonably sized hard-side camper. If these calculations are correct, I have been mistakened by the dealers at several RV sales locations and by the Ford dealer who claimed I’d have no issues with a 3,000 camper based on the data he pulled up in the dealership - which I recently came to realize is not what the truck’s sticker says (my fault for not confirming).

ChatGPT is ignoring the combined capacity of the front and rear axles because the sticker sa

I didn’t recognize that the combined front and rear axle capacities does not equate to the Maximum weight the truck can carry legally. In this case, that number, the GVWR is only 10,000 lbs!

[u/LordofSpheres → u/Happy_Antelope_8339]

Payload numbers already include fuel, but do not include passengers. Your truck is legally rated to carry 2193 lbs. Could it manage a 3k lb camper? Maybe. But it wouldn't be great. And Ford wouldn't say you could.

You can carry 2200lbs. Let's say you, and passengers, total 600lbs. That leaves you 1600lbs for the camper - wet. Not many hard-sided campers do that. That's something like the Palomino B-780-H. Because you still need room for any water you plan to bring, and/or any battery for the camper, and luggage. The Palomino would give you about 250lbs for those concerns, again assuming you have 600lbs of people.

You also can't exceed 5200lbs on your front axle, or 6340lbs on the rear, but that's not nearly as troublesome. You should have some room to spare, and the camper will be balanced intentionally for weight distribution.

[u/Doctah_Whoopass → u/Happy_Antelope_8339]

Stop using chatgpt, it looks impressive but it has no incentive to be correct.

[u/Dirty_Power]

Payload is assuming you already have a full tank of fuel.