Before I shave 200#,s off...

Redsky wrote:

For a truck battery there is no reason to waste money on an AGM battery at twice the price of a sealed flooded lead acid battery.

The suggestion would lighten his wallet! :W

I think the suggestion for the AGM has to do with not having a separate battery for the TC but yet having a deep cycle high amperage battery to serve and hopefully allow the use of the TC while camped.

Don't forget the jump seats!

Usually it is the stock tires that determine the payload rating for a pickup truck along with the passenger capacity of the cab. If the tires will support the additional 200 lbs. I would not worry about the rear axle and wheel bearings. Another way to approach it is to look at the Ford GCWR for the truck which includes the truck and passengers and load in the box and any towed load. That number provides a maximum total load that the truck's engine and transmission and frame and suspension can safely handle.

If you have a 2WD truck the easiest and cheapest approach is to change the rear tires to gain more load capacity. The rear wheel wells should have room for much larger tires. Your speedometer may be off by 2-3 MPH at freeway speeds and the gearing will be a little higher but not a big change from the stock configuration.

The payload for a crew cab includes 150 lbs. for each seat. A truck that holds 3 passengers has the payload reduced by 450 lbs. and you will see this difference if you look at two otherwise identical pickups with one having a crew cab and the other a regular cab.

For a truck battery there is no reason to waste money on an AGM battery at twice the price of a sealed flooded lead acid battery. I buy Interstate batteries from the locally owned and operated NAPA dealer. I like to keep my money in the local economy and not have it go to the Walton billionaires in Bentonville. My Interstate batteries have without exception lasted for 5 or more years. After 5 years I replace them with a new one and trade in the old one to be recycled. No need to make it complicated unless you like that sort of thing and everyone needs a hobby.

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Victory402 wrote:

Good job victor! Be careful of running your truck battery down though.....

Which leads me to my next question.
Can anyone recommend a top shelf truck battery?

For the truck starting battery consider Sears Platinum AGM.
Nothing has better CCA that I have found. AGM is more resistant to deep cycling, freeze damage, no maintenance and will charge faster.

I gotta say I love mine!

Used rangers are bringing top dollar right now because there are no more new ones around to buy and people still want them because they're great little trucks!

fatmanobx wrote:
Ranger pickups are bringing top dollar right now for some reason. Sell it and buy a real truck! lol

Ford discontinued the ranger.

I don't want to increase your worry factor but...I've owned a few little trucks like that and the first thing to go when they are heavy is the transmission. They aren't real trucks, just a car with a truck body.

realter wrote:
How about yourself. After I lost 35 lbs, I feel so much better. My goal this coming year is 35 more. Usually it is best to not suggest your wife lose weight lol.

No problem, he can just tell her you suggested it:)

later
C