03-09 Dodge 3500 SRW upper Stableloads question.

[AH64ID]

I am adding some additional toys, and thus weight, to the bed of my truck for camping. I estimate my RAW will be somewhere around 7,000 on most trips, based on what my axle normally weighs (weight often) and the weight I am adding. Variables are extra water and firewood.

I found that with no air in the bags the upper overloads didn't contact until about 6,000lbs was on the rear axle. Pretty useless with 6,390lbs of OE tires. So I have been using airbags instead.

I plan on continuing to use airbags, but wondering if I will get additional axle wrap control on soft washboard roads with the upper stable loads?

So I would like to know what RAW gets them to touch, and how much squat is that?

I run a 1" front level, so I let the truck squat approx 1.5" and hold it there with the bags now.

Thank you.

I do not want to turn this thread into a discussion about RAWR, GVWR, etc... I know what my door says and I know what the part numbers tell me, I don't need to hear about it.

EDIT: I am not running OE tires, and have 9,000lbs worth of tires per axle.

[AH64ID]

rhagfo wrote:


Well a little concerned if you plan on running 7,000# on tires rated for 6,390#!!

I am not running OE tires, I was pointing out the uselessness of the overloads on a stock SRW truck. I edited the post thou, to be more clear.

Click the link in my sig... I have LRG tires rated at 4,500lbs ea.

[rhagfo]

ah64id wrote:
I am adding some additional toys, and thus weight, to the bed of my truck for camping. I estimate my RAW will be somewhere around 7,000 on most trips, based on what my axle normally weighs (weight often) and the weight I am adding. Variables are extra water and firewood.

I found that with no air in the bags the upper overloads didn't contact until about 6,000lbs was on the rear axle. Pretty useless with 6,390lbs of OE tires. So I have been using airbags.

I plan on continuing to use airbags, but wondering if I will get additional axle wrap control on soft washboard roads with the upper stable loads?

So I would like to know what RAW gets them to touch, and how much squat is that?

I run a 1" front level, so I let the truck squat approx 1.5" and hold it there with the bags now.

Thank you.

I do not want to turn this thread into a discussion about RAWR, GVWR, etc... I know what my door says and I know what the part numbers tell me, I don't need to hear about it.

Well a little concerned if you plan on running 7,000# on tires rated for 6,390#!!

[ib516]

ah64id wrote:

ib516 wrote:
I had stable loads on my 2007 3500 mega srw. When I would hitch up the 5er, they would *just* contact. Worked perfectly. Pin weight is under 2000#.

Okay, that's pretty helpful. Thanks.

I will see where everything sits this weekend without air in the bags and then air up.

Did you ever feel them contact when unloaded?

Over bigger bumps, yes, and it harshened the ride a bit too when that happened. I didn't mind that much though.

[AH64ID]

ib516 wrote:
I had stable loads on my 2007 3500 mega srw. When I would hitch up the 5er, they would *just* contact. Worked perfectly. Pin weight is under 2000#.

Okay, that's pretty helpful. Thanks.

I will see where everything sits this weekend without air in the bags and then air up.

Did you ever feel them contact when unloaded?

[ib516]

I had stable loads on my 2007 3500 mega srw. When I would hitch up the 5er, they would *just* contact. Worked perfectly. Pin weight is under 2000#.

When in contact, the truck was level front to back.

[AH64ID]

Passin Thru wrote:
Go weigh the truck on a scale and see if you are over axle and gross wt. If you run down a rough enough road the overloads will touch. Airbags are supposed to keep them from touching.

Doesn't really help much, but thanks...

Post is about weigh required to contact with stable loads, not my RAWR or GVWR.. both of which I don't care about for purposes of this thread.

[Passin_Thru]

Go weigh the truck on a scale and see if you are over axle and gross wt. If you run down a rough enough road the overloads will touch. Airbags are supposed to keep them from touching.