New 3/4 CC Dmax payload cap terrible!
I'm researching tow vehicles, and I discovered that when a 2014 Silverado 2500 HD is configured w/Diesel, Crew Cab 4x4 and Long Bed, the payload capacity drops to a pitiful 2552 lbs. Which basical...
Forum Discussion
For a tow vehicle I worry about the gross combined weight of the truck, passengers, and the trailer. If I am under that weight the rest is manageable. The GM trucks rear axle and wheel bearings are rated at 10,900 lbs. so the limiting factor is the two rear tires that will have a combined load capacity of from 6800 to 7500 lbs depending upon the tire. A dually has 4 tires and doubling the tires is the easiest way to increase the payload though not by 100%.
Subtract the rear axle weight measured at a local scale (cost is ten bucks) and you have a load capacity. Figure roughly 6800 - 3200 = 3600 lbs on the rear axle.
The factory load rating is based on the weakest link when the truck leaves the factory and it includes a passenger allowance of 150 lbs. per seat. That is why the load rating on a regular cab is so much higher than for the same truck with a crew cab. Do you have to pretend that you will actually have a full cab of 150 lb. passengers or can you adjust the load based on what will be in the cab when you are towing?
Four fifths of travel trailers and 5th wheels you will see on the highway are pulled by SRW pickups and doing fine. If you have a large commercial trailer or horse trailer a dually is needed to handle the load otherwise a SRW will work.
GM 1-ton SRW trucks add an extra leaf pack and you can do the same thing with SuperSprings adding 1400 or 2800 lbs. of load capacity depending upon the ones you get. Air bags are not a first choice for increasing load capacity but they can help with mating a truck to a trailer by making small height adjustments to the rear of the truck.
Subtract the rear axle weight measured at a local scale (cost is ten bucks) and you have a load capacity. Figure roughly 6800 - 3200 = 3600 lbs on the rear axle.
The factory load rating is based on the weakest link when the truck leaves the factory and it includes a passenger allowance of 150 lbs. per seat. That is why the load rating on a regular cab is so much higher than for the same truck with a crew cab. Do you have to pretend that you will actually have a full cab of 150 lb. passengers or can you adjust the load based on what will be in the cab when you are towing?
Four fifths of travel trailers and 5th wheels you will see on the highway are pulled by SRW pickups and doing fine. If you have a large commercial trailer or horse trailer a dually is needed to handle the load otherwise a SRW will work.
GM 1-ton SRW trucks add an extra leaf pack and you can do the same thing with SuperSprings adding 1400 or 2800 lbs. of load capacity depending upon the ones you get. Air bags are not a first choice for increasing load capacity but they can help with mating a truck to a trailer by making small height adjustments to the rear of the truck.
