Hi fellow Aspen owners,

I'm trying to understand why the inside door sticker on my Aspen shows a lower payload capacity than what is advertised for this vehicle, 1,550lbs. according to Edmunds vs. just 1,238 lbs. on my door sticker. A difference of 300 lbs. Seeing as how this cargo capacity information is shown on the sticker with the tire information, I'm assuming it is related to the tires. 300 lbs. difference is pretty significant.

I have the 20" wheel set and I'm thinking perhaps that the models with the 18" wheelset have the higher payload number because 18" tires generally have a higher load rating than 20" tires. I could be wrong here but I'm just trying to see if the relationship exists with the payload and rim size offered on these trucks.

I suspect I am correct though because in looking at the original equipment tires, the 18" tires have a max load of 2,271 lbs. while the 20" tires have a max load of 2,094.

I have a 2009 Aspen J package with the upgraded tow group, 5.7L Hemi non-hybrid model. I'm wondering if anyone with this same model but with the 18" rims could verify what their payload door sticker says. The 300lbs. of cargo capacity difference is significant enough for me to justify the purchase of a higher load rated tire.

Thanks all,
Chris

 

Info from the 2008 Aspen sales brochure:

Payload - 4.7 Flex Fuel V8:

- 4x2: 1,550 lbs
- 4x4: 1,570 lbs

Payload - 5.7 HEMI V8 w/MDS

- 4x2: 1,520 lbs
- 4x4: 1,520 lbs

Vehicle curb weights, GVWR:

4.7 4x2 = 4,904 lbs, 6,450 GVWR (1,546 lbs remaining for payload)
4.7 4x4 = 5,082 lbs, 6,650 GVWR (1,568 lbs remaining for payload)
5.7 4x2 = 4,935 lbs, 6,450 GVWR (1,515 lbs remaining for payload)
5.7 4x4 = 5,131 lbs, 6,650 GVWR (1,519 lbs remaining for payload)

I have the 20" wheels as well - the payload ratings are as listed above.

 

Well, than I'm as confused as ever then why my door sticker is reading 1,238. Don't think there was a difference in specs at all from 2008 to 2009. Do you have the heavy duty tow group? Perhaps the weight of those components is reducing my additional payload on my Aspen.

Thanks for checking,
Chris

 

This will confuse matters even more, but the sticker on the frame between the driver's front and rear doors on mine states max payload of 7 passengers and cargo at 1,170 pounds. Apparently I was wrong about the payload on my vehicle v. what the brochure states. This same sticker has tire size and inflation info, which is repeated on the door sticker (without payload info).

I think the Aspen was designed for higher loads, and they probably saved a few bucks by going with the SR-A tires at a lower load rating. Most other SUV tires at the same size are XL tires with higher load ratings. I replaced my stock tires with Hankook Ventus AV tires, and they have 300+ pounds more load capacity per tire at max psi, and ride a lot better than the stock Goodyears.

 

Hey, thanks for that tire recommendation!! Those tires have nearly 700lbs. of increased load per tire than the original Goodyears I have. It appears that the payload capacity of any given vehicle is the weakest link in that vehicle's specs and in this case, it's the tires.

I pull a 28' travel trailer with my Aspen. It pulls just fine with plenty of power to spare and no detectable sway. However, the payload capacity was a bit low at 1,238 so I really have to monitor what I have in the Aspen while towing. I will feel better with higher load rated tires.

Chris