jimh425 wrote:
mk10108 wrote:
Can you handle the truth? ... Only adding springs will increase your payload.
Can you? Nope, they don't increase payload. That's a fixed number. GVWR-GVW.
Semantics. You're assuming the sticker is finite and nothing can change it. You're assuming it's a legal and binding document. You're assuming the law only goes by that sticker and no amount of upgrade to the vehicle can change that.
Which is silly because truck manufacturers have different stickers for different flavors of truck packages. All F350's are no created equally. In fact, sometimes the stickers change and the components do not.
There are, for all intents and purposes TWO GVWR's -- the one on the sticker and the actual physical ability of the vehicle itself. That sticker is a sum of the vehicles components with some safety and liability factors built in. The manufacture knows the axle is rated a certain way, as are the brakes, the frame, etc etc and chooses to set the sticker weight to match the least common denominator for safety and liability reasons. That 'sticker' number may well be far below the trucks actual capability.
For example, at one time (anyway) the F250 PS trucks had the same brakes, springs, shocks and even rear ends as the F350's (SRW's). Basically the same trucks with a few cosmetic differences and not much else but they had a lower GVWR. Savvy truck buyings figured it out and bought the cheaper F250's and used them.
Not so different from F250 owners (of different years when things were indeed different) who replace the components to 'upgrade' their 250's to 350's physically. They are then, physically the same. Sure the sticker isn't the same but in reality they are.
As for the law? I've yet, after years of asking, had anyone actually post case-law to prove that someone was actually sued for being overweight ()of gvwr) in an accident or otherwise. Not saying it hasn't happened, but I've yet to see it.
Finally, a poster here, I think even in this thread pointed out that at least in one, if not two NW States the law goes by tire rating now the door sticker. Having been to traffic court I can attest, at least in my case (and in a car not a truck) that the physical changes to the car did in fact sway the courts decision. What the manufacturer says the car can or cannot do is not relevant when someone improves it because physically it has changed.
So, can replacing springs change what the truck is safely capable of carrying? I suggest one simply look at the thousands and thousands of 'overloaded' trucks out there putting thousands upon thousands of miles on the road. Sure, it can be done and maybe the springs are your weak link (maybe it's tires or brakes or shocks etc).
It won't change the sticker but it will physically change the truck.
