Shocking discovery about base curb weight - for true payload calculation

Ok folks, I wanted to get a good baseline of my 2015 Expedition EL. It is an SSV model.

Precursor: The reason I wanted to do this is because 2 weeks ago I stopped at a vehicle scale with my kids/wife/dog and thought it would be a lot lighter than indicated... (that was the 1st scale). I figure it was about 425lb heavier than I thought after adjusting for my included weights I estimated. I wanted a more accurate measurement.

So on to my story from yesterday:

Factory Stats - from door placards and original build sheet:

Equipment group 100A
Tires: 265/70R 17 A/T OWL - on factory steelies
Optional Equipment (I believe it was delivered this way as it's on the build sheet):
Running boards - Black
Third Row Seat
Door placard GVWR - 7760lb
Tire placard Payload - 1608lb

"Assumed" base curb weight - incl ful tank of fuel and fluids (as ford advertises) but excluding everything else (ie the way it was delivered to the dealer: 7760lb - 1608lb = 6152lb assumed base curb weight on the day it left the dealer

After 10 years in the car industry (in a previous life) - I found if you pretty much google any manufacturer's stats (even double checking the factory brochures) the base curb weights equal the difference between GVWR and Payload sticker on the tire placard.

So.... Here's what I did. I emptied EVERYTHING out of the vehicle, except me of course, and a couple personal items. I even took out the non factory floor mats, but I naturally kept the factory spare tire and jack/etc in the vehicle. I got on the scale myself, prior to going, and added a few personal items (jackets/cell phone, and a few wireless chargers etc that were already in the vehicle) I estimate the weight of all this at..... drumroll.... (ahem**) 235lbs lol - Hey, I'm 6'3 though lol.

Lastly, I have different tires than stock. My factory tires (according to the website) weighed in at 40lbs each (according to firestone). I do not know the weight of the factory steelies however suffice it to say they would be heavier than my 18" ford f150 alloys that it now rides on.

I have Michelin LTX At2 E rated 265/70/18's in 2016 F150 alloy rims. The tires themselves are 50lbs according to michelin in that size.

I filled the tank full prior to going. I burned about 14lbs of fuel (I figure) @ 6.3lb/gal driving there.

That's a difference of 10lbs per corner, however the rims would be lighter. Even if I account for an additional 40lbs in weight total - here's what the numbers were. And remember, I roughly did this 2 weeks ago and was quite high - I figured over 400lbs or so.... So I know it's not just a faulty scale.

Total vehicle weight (including me and nothing else) was: 3080kg or 6790lbs

Subtract 235lbs for me and my stuff: 6555lb

Subtract (max) 40lbs for different tires = 6515lbs. Add 14lb fuel = 6529lbs as delivered but including a full tank of fuel (as Ford advertises they include)

Subtract 6529 from 7760 = 1231lbs TRUE payload

Yet my door sticker says 1608.

That's a difference of 377lbs, or 417lbs with the tires/wheels I have (and NOT adjusting for the heavier steelies).

What gives??? How do you go from 6152lb advertised to 6529? That's huge - when you're towing with a family / travel trailer etc

And imagine if mine had all options, increasing the weight even more.

I looked under the vehicle, there is some dirt under there, but not anywhere near that kind of weight. Anyway - Suffice it to say most of us are driving way heavier than we think! Thankfully the inspectors around here usually only look at GVCWR rather than GVWR but still... If they look at GVWR when towing/loaded we'd all be in big trouble I think. What am I missing??

I wonder the accuracy of the scale? Can you try another?

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JamaicaJoe said:

I wonder the accuracy of the scale? Can you try another?

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Hi yes, I don't doubt the accuracy - as mentioned that was actually the 2nd scale I tried. AND it was a DOT scale; meaning they get calibrated for accuracy often. Our local authorities dole out tickets (mostly for commercial vehicles though) based on the accuracy of these scales. They have full time staff on site too.

I'm wondering if anyone else has tried taking theirs to a cat scale?

These scales are designed to weigh trucks 20 times an Expy so you have to wonder at what weight they are calibrated.

If you are second owner, be sure to check inside door panels for extra kilos of money or contraband. Almost bought a VW jetta that had a false bottom in the trunk.

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JamaicaJoe said:

These scales are designed to weigh trucks 20 times an Expy so you have to wonder at what weight they are calibrated.

If you are second owner, be sure to check inside door panels for extra kilos of money or contraband. Almost bought a VW jetta that had a false bottom in the trunk.

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That's a good point. I was looking at load cells and mechanical scales for weighing boats. They all were most accurate at mid range of their rated capacity.

JamaicaJoe said:

These scales are designed to weigh trucks 20 times an Expy so you have to wonder at what weight they are calibrated.

If you are second owner, be sure to check inside door panels for extra kilos of money or contraband. Almost bought a VW jetta that had a false bottom in the trunk.

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Interesting point. Yeah I don't think I'm going to worry about it too much. But you have to figure, I have since taken it to our local landfill, in which we have to weigh in and out. You'd think they'd have to be fairly accurate considering the amount of money on the line etc...

i think the point about hidden panels, etc., is valid, but having said that, I don't think a difference of about 6% is too much to write off to different variables, such as the factory fuel load, tires, etc. - the things you were trying to account for. You're on the right track, but I don't think you have enough info to get to the same point the factory was at.

obtw, - good decision on the VW with the hidden compartment. I've heard stories of police charging people who bought a car from the government, that had a hidden compartment in it, with some kind of law that forbids us common people from having compartments in our cars....
if anybody has more info on this, I'd love to hear it.