'What can you fill a barrel with to make it weigh less/'

KD4UPL wrote:

How will reinforcing the springs add load carrying capacity? How could it not. Whenever a mechanical part is strengthened it gains better ability to do it's job. Swapping heavier duty springs, axles, tires, wheels, etc. onto a truck will in fact increase the ability of the truck to carry weight. It's just a machine and conforms to the laws of physics.
No, it won't change the sticker on the door. Lets say I have a 3500 truck with an 11,000 pound GVWR. My driver's door gets dented and I go to the junk yard and get a door from a 1500 truck to replace it. Now the door sticker's GVWR number is 7,500. I'm I know restricted to a GVWR of 7,500 with my 3500 truck because of what the sticker says?

Reinforcing the springs will not add capacity because the springs aren't the only thing needed to support the load. Putting fancy springs on your truck does not increase the tire rating, make the frame stronger, or make it stop any faster.

The sticker on the door is the manufacturer's rated capacity for that truck. And no, changing the door, changing the sticker, or removing the sticker won't change the facts.

Your state might have lax laws but not all do.

When on the scales getting the weight of each axle, do you subtract the weight of each wheel and tire? The bearings axles and axle tubing? After all those parts are not on top weighing it down Right? I'm asking.....

To the retired cop. There may not be a law against running over limits, but will the insurance companies pay! They will look for any way not to pay.

You've been a member since 2008 and only just now are learning about GVWR?
I guess a dead horse has been reborn.

discussion about nothing…

The max weight is based on the weakest link, or said another way, the component on the truck that is not able to handle the weight which the other components can handle.
Strengthening the weak link will raise the gross higher, but strengthening an already strong link will not do anything for that weak link, thus not raise the gross.
Of course everyone already knows this, but just wants to find a technicality to argue.

Springs will help carry a heavy load, and everyone knows that. Springs will not help the tires except in the case where the old springs let the truck hit the bump stops often which would stress everything else in the link, including the tires, yet is a very minor point to point out.

Can you carry a heavier load with more ample springs? Yes.
Will more ample springs change GVWR? NO.
Will more ample springs help you carry a heavier load? Yes.
Will you see increased wear on other components? Yes.
Will the truck explode right out of the driveway? Likely NO.
Will the tires blow up if overloaded? Always Yes, soon.
Will the brakes break? No they will not break, but will take longer to brake.


edit** Does the truck dictate the GVWR or the lawyers?

bighatnohorse ~~

Just gathering responses to prove~disprove my own understanding to have answers to throw back at the SALESMEN that are promising me the world IF I BUY their product. At BIG $$$.

Trying to make the best of a less than desirable situation. Hoping to meet some kind of happy balance by lessening the load. Moving down from a 'A' ain't easy. Even (shudder) thought of trying to drop some of my own excess ##'s.

Thank's All ~ Try to stay cool. Forecast here 108 ~~ Kate

Darn it, I thought maybe this question was about which weights more 100 lbs of feathers or 100 lbs of water? Oh well!!! :-)

wet feathers ~ and they smell bad too

Not much to wrap your head around. Stronger springs will hold up the load better. Your E tires are good for whatever capacity you have them aired up to.
Rims, lugs, axle, spring mounts may be the next weakest link.
You have 2 choices. First, you’re not really out of the realm of reality with your older? Tundra and little popup.
I think that’s what you said you have.
Second, or just get a heavier duty truck and then you won’t have to think about or pontificate or worry about any capacity with a popup.

Thanks GritDog ~~ Not enough funding for choice # 2. Nearing 80 ~ need enough to get there. Just going to try to lighten the load ~and not loose sleep over it.

JM2¢ ~~ YMMV

K