Surprise! A Driver is not a Passenger or Cargo

[Mavster Mechanic]

I have been saying this for 20+ years but few believed me.

Driver's weight (within reason) is NOT part of your truck's cargo carrying or towing capacity.

Look at it this way.
The driver is not a passenger.
The driver is not cargo.
The driver is needed to haul anything. So driver's weight (up to 234 lbs.) is assumed to be part of the truck.

This value was 200 lbs. 20 years ago. Blame inflation (of Americans' waist line! )

Blame the lawyers who sue when your "foot long" sandwich comes to you at 11.5 inches.

But it makes sense. Promises made. Promises kept. YOU can tow the full 4,000 lbs. as advertised without derating for the driver's weight.

When Ford says you can tow 4,000 lbs. You can. With yourself in the truck. As long as you weigh under 235 lbs. there is no deduction for YOU.

2026 Ford.com build and price tool.

234 lbs. specific to the Maverick.

Other models may vary.

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[Glen Baker LLC]

BUT, BUT, But, but...... that's not what my grandpappy told me 150 years ago.


Wait for it........

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

What towing calculator are you using? The Ford one only supports 2020+ F-Series.

From the 2026 Ford Towing guide for Maverick

HRG

 

[DS_Ohio]

crap. where am i gunna find an 80 pound girlfriend

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

crap. where am i gunna find an 80 pound girlfriend

https://petitemates.com/

HRG

 

[Johnkn]

^^ Along those same lines, the weight a trailer puts on the tow vehicle's ball is not part of the trailer's GVWR.

A trailer with a 5000lb GVWR (empty trailer weight plus load) that weighs 2000 empty with ~10% (500 lbs) weight on the ball is rated for a 3500 lb load.

...

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

crap. where am i gunna find an 80 pound girlfriend

150 & 150 = 300 total?

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

And away we go...........

That didn't take long.

 

[ejouie]

And away we go...........

 

[ejouie]

150 & 150 = 300 total?

Maverick > F150

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Maverick > F150

What year?

It depends.

Country probably matters too.

 

[Mudduck]

got it, my left leg and belly are cargo.... the rest of me is not.

 

[Bob W]

150 & 150 = 300 total?

I think he’s implying he weighs 220

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