Adding weight capacity to a TV

[Seattle_Lion]

As discussed in a prior thread, our TV (Ford F150) is near the edge or a bit over it in terms of payload due to the tongue weight of our TT. There are no power issues and the towing is fine.

Is there a modification we can make to the truck to add capacity? Right now we have 1250 lb. max. It would be great if we could increase that by 500 lbs.

How can we do it?

[Gdetrailer]

stub-kb-2 wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:

stub-kb-2 wrote:

Seattle Lion wrote:
We bought the truck in June and the TT later that month. When we bought the truck we didn't plan on owning an RV. Long story. We are not badly over capacity. It is a matter of a few hundred pounds if any. I just wanted to see if I could improve things a bit. The truck never bottoms out with the trailer, never has any overheating (transmission, oil, water, etc) even when climbing, and there is no serious sway (actually none most of the time). It just worries me that I am possibly over a bit.

everyone on these forums, and in the magazines are terryfied of making recomendations that will lead someone to do something stupid and / or dangerous.

NO, I DON'T think "everyone" is terrified of making suggestions however it is really STUPID and a waste of ones money to attempt to COVER UP a potentially bad towing match. You ARE PLAYING WITH OTHER PEOPLES LIVES (IE other motorists included) when you attempt to bolster an obviously overloaded vehicle with helper springs, overloads and airbags.

The result can be deadly.

as it stands, you are towing the trailer you own with the truck you own. period.

The OP feels it is not good and you are trying to talk someone who does not feel "comfortable" with the present overloaded situation.

Wouldn't you feel bad if the OP ends up being the next RVr in the news from flipping their rig?

if you are comfortable doing just that but want to make some improvement (NOT TRYING TO HAUL EVEN MORE), again not to haul more, but continue doing what you are already doing more safely, i say go for it.

No matter how you cut it adding aftermarket "upgrades" simply coverup an overload situation, it does not FIX the actual problem and if for any reason is involved in an accident can raise serious issues with the law and insurance.

a lot of folks on these forums say "buy a bigger truck" like we all have $20k lying around to trade up with.

It is simple, if you don't have $20K laying around you simply SHOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THE BIGGER TRAILER.

As I see it, the OP has several ways to do this.

Your solution, apply aftermarket parts to cover up and use.

My suggestions are trade the truck for one more capable OR trade in the bigger trailer for a lighter weight one. THESE are the two possible best outcome solutions.

There IS a reason for 3/4 and 1ton vehicles, they simply are more capable, stout and require no aftermarket parts to hide a problem.

i towed with 1/2 tons for years. no different than any other tow vehicle (semis included, which i have 15+ years experience with) you have to be safe, smart, and reasonable.

i have rune firestone airbags, as well as load ratio'd main spring overloads.

if you have a few hundred bucks, the airbags are the way to go.

please don't take this as an endorsement to put another ton in your trailer, just to continue doing what you are doing with coniderably better control, and a safer ride height.

"upgrades" do nothing to fix an overload, period. It is easy to tell someone to simply slap brand x fix and go about your business as usaul. But in the end it is a SLOPPY way to coverup a problem.

YES, I BUY 3/4 ton trucks for a GOOD reason, it is to provide a more stable towing platform whether I am running empty or if I am towing my 7K TT or heck even my 10K flatbed trailer. It just handles the loads BETTER than a patched up 1/2 ton will ever do.

My 3/4 ton truck weighs in at about 1,000 lbs MORE than a 1/2 ton, there MUST be a reason for that?

The right tool for the job gets it done safer.









My goodness aren't we sensitive!

Just to help you lower your hackles, I also have a 3/4 ton, and a 1ton DRW. I'm not foolish, lazy, or stupid.

I also know that my dually is properly sized for my fiver.

However, almost every toy hauler and park model you see exceeds the gcvw of a 1 ton.

By your standards everyone should buy a class 6 truck.

My point was simply HE'S ALREADY DOING IT!
Lets make it more stable.

My 3/4 ton had no factory overloads.
It also has a Dana 70 rear diff, same as a 1 ton of the same vintage.
I put airbags on my truck for handling and stability, not to be "sloppy" as you so ineloquently put it.

If you haven't run air bags, " don't knock it till you try it".
My srw 3/4 ton handles better loaded than my DRW 1ton , both loaded legally.

Don't moan and wail in red if you don't know what you are talking about.

:R

Are you done crying that I pointed out some very obvious flaws in the typical plan that folks have when it comes to making a LESSER vehicle perform like a already better vehicle? Get over it.

At the end of the day, you can add overloads, air bags, extra heavy duty shocks for thousands of dollars in parts and you STILL have a 1/2 ton truck.

It will NEVER, EVER be a 3/4 ton truck even if you used 3/4 ton springs. There is much more than what meets the eyes when it comes to just how much weight a truck can support.

Basically put, overload is an overload whether you put aftermarket airbags, overloads and such. It is only as strong as the weakest part.

Some of the parts that play a great role in determining how much cargo it can carry starts at tires, rims, axles, bolt pattern (5, 6, 7, 8), axles, shocks (and position of the shock mounts), springs, steering parts (ball joints, arms, rods and even gear box), size and strength of frame and brakes.

Many of those parts just simply can not be economically "changed" but yet play a key role in the over all ability of the vehicles performance.

Changing just ONE part does not "help" with an overload situation other than to prevent the overload from dragging the tail end.

Then when you attempt to sell it down the road, folks will NOT "pay" any additional money for said upgrades. In fact chances are many people are going to shy away from a heavily modified truck or low ball you on price since they will get the feeling it was abused to require such mods.

I have personally seen folks dump bunches of money into trying to make a lesser vehicle "perform" better then ultimately toss the white flag of surrender and buy one that is more inline for the loads they are hauling, wasting all the money and time they put into the upgrades.

Pay me now or pay me more later...

[fla-gypsy]

Seattle Lion wrote:
As discussed in a prior thread, our TV (Ford F150) is near the edge or a bit over it in terms of payload due to the tongue weight of our TT. There are no power issues and the towing is fine.

Is there a modification we can make to the truck to add capacity? Right now we have 1250 lb. max. It would be great if we could increase that by 500 lbs.

How can we do it?

You can't in spite of what all the arm chair truck makers on this forum say.

[Ole_Man_Dan]

I used to have a Chevy 1500 w/o a towing pkg.
Couldn't make it into something it wasn't.
Traded it for a F-250 Diesel. It's a 'Tow Truck'.

Trade for any 3/4 ton, you'll be glad you did.
1st long haul up a mountain...
Hauling on a rough road...

The difference is when you check your rear view mirror to make sure your trailer is still back there, that you really know the difference.

[stub-kb-2]

Gdetrailer wrote:

stub-kb-2 wrote:

Seattle Lion wrote:
We bought the truck in June and the TT later that month. When we bought the truck we didn't plan on owning an RV. Long story. We are not badly over capacity. It is a matter of a few hundred pounds if any. I just wanted to see if I could improve things a bit. The truck never bottoms out with the trailer, never has any overheating (transmission, oil, water, etc) even when climbing, and there is no serious sway (actually none most of the time). It just worries me that I am possibly over a bit.

everyone on these forums, and in the magazines are terryfied of making recomendations that will lead someone to do something stupid and / or dangerous.

NO, I DON'T think "everyone" is terrified of making suggestions however it is really STUPID and a waste of ones money to attempt to COVER UP a potentially bad towing match. You ARE PLAYING WITH OTHER PEOPLES LIVES (IE other motorists included) when you attempt to bolster an obviously overloaded vehicle with helper springs, overloads and airbags.

The result can be deadly.

as it stands, you are towing the trailer you own with the truck you own. period.

The OP feels it is not good and you are trying to talk someone who does not feel "comfortable" with the present overloaded situation.

Wouldn't you feel bad if the OP ends up being the next RVr in the news from flipping their rig?

if you are comfortable doing just that but want to make some improvement (NOT TRYING TO HAUL EVEN MORE), again not to haul more, but continue doing what you are already doing more safely, i say go for it.

No matter how you cut it adding aftermarket "upgrades" simply coverup an overload situation, it does not FIX the actual problem and if for any reason is involved in an accident can raise serious issues with the law and insurance.

a lot of folks on these forums say "buy a bigger truck" like we all have $20k lying around to trade up with.

It is simple, if you don't have $20K laying around you simply SHOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THE BIGGER TRAILER.

As I see it, the OP has several ways to do this.

Your solution, apply aftermarket parts to cover up and use.

My suggestions are trade the truck for one more capable OR trade in the bigger trailer for a lighter weight one. THESE are the two possible best outcome solutions.

There IS a reason for 3/4 and 1ton vehicles, they simply are more capable, stout and require no aftermarket parts to hide a problem.

i towed with 1/2 tons for years. no different than any other tow vehicle (semis included, which i have 15+ years experience with) you have to be safe, smart, and reasonable.

i have rune firestone airbags, as well as load ratio'd main spring overloads.

if you have a few hundred bucks, the airbags are the way to go.

please don't take this as an endorsement to put another ton in your trailer, just to continue doing what you are doing with coniderably better control, and a safer ride height.

"upgrades" do nothing to fix an overload, period. It is easy to tell someone to simply slap brand x fix and go about your business as usaul. But in the end it is a SLOPPY way to coverup a problem.

YES, I BUY 3/4 ton trucks for a GOOD reason, it is to provide a more stable towing platform whether I am running empty or if I am towing my 7K TT or heck even my 10K flatbed trailer. It just handles the loads BETTER than a patched up 1/2 ton will ever do.

My 3/4 ton truck weighs in at about 1,000 lbs MORE than a 1/2 ton, there MUST be a reason for that?

The right tool for the job gets it done safer.









My goodness aren't we sensitive!

Just to help you lower your hackles, I also have a 3/4 ton, and a 1ton DRW. I'm not foolish, lazy, or stupid.

I also know that my dually is properly sized for my fiver.

However, almost every toy hauler and park model you see exceeds the gcvw of a 1 ton.

By your standards everyone should buy a class 6 truck.

My point was simply HE'S ALREADY DOING IT!
Lets make it more stable.

My 3/4 ton had no factory overloads.
It also has a Dana 70 rear diff, same as a 1 ton of the same vintage.
I put airbags on my truck for handling and stability, not to be "sloppy" as you so ineloquently put it.

If you haven't run air bags, " don't knock it till you try it".
My srw 3/4 ton handles better loaded than my DRW 1ton , both loaded legally.

Don't moan and wail in red if you don't know what you are talking about.

[JIMNLIN]

Seattle Lion wrote:
As discussed in a prior thread, our TV (Ford F150) is near the edge or a bit over it in terms of payload due to the tongue weight of our TT. There are no power issues and the towing is fine.

Is there a modification we can make to the truck to add capacity? Right now we have 1250 lb. max. It would be great if we could increase that by 500 lbs.

How can we do it?

Payload from a legal sense is gonna' be the sum of the axle/tire load ratings or maybe a registered weight number of some kind "if" required by your state.

By the way the sum of the gawrs determines the trucks total braking capacity.

Lawsuits from carrying weight above a payload rating is a myth.
From a legal perspective your biggest concern of hitch weight on the truck is not exceeding you trucks RAWR/tire load ratings. If you have P tires with 2400 (est) lbs capacity their required by fed regs to be derated by roughly 10 percent capacity which leaves you some where around 2100-2200 lbs all depending on actual tire size.

If your wanting to gain another 400 lbs (two guys) in capacity add LT tires/possible higher rated wheels and bags or Supersprings/etc to the rear.

If the trucks power and handling the load is fine and no abnormal tire wear I would enjoy the rig and not worry with being over a mfg payload number.

[Bumpyroad]

epusher wrote:


Look around, take your time and I bet you can find a deal that will let you get what you want/need for less money than the upgrades. BTW, those upgrades only mean something to you or another person hauling heavy loads. So in a way you limit the market on your 1/2 ton for a future sale - I'm not sure you get much of the money back in a future sale.

.

and if a potential purchaser sees all of those modifications and "upgrades" it will be apparent to them that the truck has been abused and that might kill a resale deal.
bumpy

[epusher]

I and many others were in the same position as you. Make a list and the price of various upgrades to get the capacity to meet your load. For me, the cost of those upgrades would have left me with a great truck. In the end, it made more sense to take the dollars from the upgrade costs and apply that to a trade-in.

You mention mountain pulling, I specifically traded in preparation for a mountain trip. The heavier truck with greater capacity ratings just made more sense than a aftermarket modified 1/2 ton. For the record, I went from 1,600 lbs payload to over 3,000 lbs payload, and lowered my payment/overall cost.

Look around, take your time and I bet you can find a deal that will let you get what you want/need for less money than the upgrades. BTW, those upgrades only mean something to you or another person hauling heavy loads. So in a way you limit the market on your 1/2 ton for a future sale - I'm not sure you get much of the money back in a future sale.

If you haven't done it, hit the scale loaded for camping and get your true numbers. That will help as you look at what capacities need to be upgraded. Who knows, maybe even a diet will get you back where you want to be.

[lawrosa]

As discussed in a prior thread, our TV (Ford F150) is near the edge or a bit over it in terms of payload due to the tongue weight of our TT. There are no power issues and the towing is fine.

Is there a modification we can make to the truck to add capacity? Right now we have 1250 lb. max. It would be great if we could increase that by 500 lbs.

How can we do it?

To the OP... What are you towing? What is the weights? Did you take it to a cat scale?

If its a travel trailer it seems like a lot of weight..

Is this a 5th wheel?

[Bumpyroad]

KD4UPL wrote:
You can certainly increase the capabilities of your truck. You can swap, replace, modify, etc. any part you wish. It is your truck. People have been modifying vehicles ever since there were vehicles.
Drag racers modify for increased acceleration. Circle track racers modify for extra speed. 4wd owners modify for increased traction and ground clearance, etc.
There are many parts that will help your truck carry, haul, and stop more weight. Airbags or higher capacity springs, tires with a greater weigh capacity, an axle upgrade to a stronger unit, larger or better brakes for more stopping power, etc.
I'm not sure why some people get so bent our of shape over someone modifying their vehicle to better perform a given task. There's always someone screaming about how you will kill someone if you haul a few pounds over the weight on the door sticker.
I've seen a Chevy half ton modified to pull a semi trailer. That was a really cool piece of custom truck fabrication. I'm sure he was over the weight sticker but he did have tandem rear axles.
The key is to know what your doing (or pay someone who does). Drive like you have some sense. Drive like you're in a heavily loaded truck, not a sports car.

sure, take you F-150 and spend $500 at J.C. Whitney to convert it to a F-550.
bumpy

[KD4UPL]

You can certainly increase the capabilities of your truck. You can swap, replace, modify, etc. any part you wish. It is your truck. People have been modifying vehicles ever since there were vehicles.
Drag racers modify for increased acceleration. Circle track racers modify for extra speed. 4wd owners modify for increased traction and ground clearance, etc.
There are many parts that will help your truck carry, haul, and stop more weight. Airbags or higher capacity springs, tires with a greater weigh capacity, an axle upgrade to a stronger unit, larger or better brakes for more stopping power, etc.
I'm not sure why some people get so bent our of shape over someone modifying their vehicle to better perform a given task. There's always someone screaming about how you will kill someone if you haul a few pounds over the weight on the door sticker.
I've seen a Chevy half ton modified to pull a semi trailer. That was a really cool piece of custom truck fabrication. I'm sure he was over the weight sticker but he did have tandem rear axles.
The key is to know what your doing (or pay someone who does). Drive like you have some sense. Drive like you're in a heavily loaded truck, not a sports car.

[bguy]

You cannot be just a little bit pregnant.

[Gdetrailer]

stub-kb-2 wrote:

Seattle Lion wrote:
We bought the truck in June and the TT later that month. When we bought the truck we didn't plan on owning an RV. Long story. We are not badly over capacity. It is a matter of a few hundred pounds if any. I just wanted to see if I could improve things a bit. The truck never bottoms out with the trailer, never has any overheating (transmission, oil, water, etc) even when climbing, and there is no serious sway (actually none most of the time). It just worries me that I am possibly over a bit.

everyone on these forums, and in the magazines are terryfied of making recomendations that will lead someone to do something stupid and / or dangerous.

NO, I DON'T think "everyone" is terrified of making suggestions however it is really STUPID and a waste of ones money to attempt to COVER UP a potentially bad towing match. You ARE PLAYING WITH OTHER PEOPLES LIVES (IE other motorists included) when you attempt to bolster an obviously overloaded vehicle with helper springs, overloads and airbags.

The result can be deadly.

as it stands, you are towing the trailer you own with the truck you own. period.

The OP feels it is not good and you are trying to talk someone who does not feel "comfortable" with the present overloaded situation.

Wouldn't you feel bad if the OP ends up being the next RVr in the news from flipping their rig?

if you are comfortable doing just that but want to make some improvement (NOT TRYING TO HAUL EVEN MORE), again not to haul more, but continue doing what you are already doing more safely, i say go for it.

No matter how you cut it adding aftermarket "upgrades" simply coverup an overload situation, it does not FIX the actual problem and if for any reason is involved in an accident can raise serious issues with the law and insurance.

a lot of folks on these forums say "buy a bigger truck" like we all have $20k lying around to trade up with.

It is simple, if you don't have $20K laying around you simply SHOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THE BIGGER TRAILER.

As I see it, the OP has several ways to do this.

Your solution, apply aftermarket parts to cover up and use.

My suggestions are trade the truck for one more capable OR trade in the bigger trailer for a lighter weight one. THESE are the two possible best outcome solutions.

There IS a reason for 3/4 and 1ton vehicles, they simply are more capable, stout and require no aftermarket parts to hide a problem.

i towed with 1/2 tons for years. no different than any other tow vehicle (semis included, which i have 15+ years experience with) you have to be safe, smart, and reasonable.

i have rune firestone airbags, as well as load ratio'd main spring overloads.

if you have a few hundred bucks, the airbags are the way to go.

please don't take this as an endorsement to put another ton in your trailer, just to continue doing what you are doing with coniderably better control, and a safer ride height.

"upgrades" do nothing to fix an overload, period. It is easy to tell someone to simply slap brand x fix and go about your business as usaul. But in the end it is a SLOPPY way to coverup a problem.

YES, I BUY 3/4 ton trucks for a GOOD reason, it is to provide a more stable towing platform whether I am running empty or if I am towing my 7K TT or heck even my 10K flatbed trailer. It just handles the loads BETTER than a patched up 1/2 ton will ever do.

My 3/4 ton truck weighs in at about 1,000 lbs MORE than a 1/2 ton, there MUST be a reason for that?

The right tool for the job gets it done safer.

[brulaz]

TomG2 wrote:
Manufacturers (and some on here) do nobody a favor when they repeat over and over that a half ton can tow 11,000 pounds and haul 3,000 pounds.
...

If Ford says the payload is over 3000#, I wouldn't call it a half-ton.

And you can get an F150 Reg Cab 4x2 with 8' bed and HD payload option that gives you over 3000# payload.

Most of those are XL stripped models used for work in construction or whatever. A guy on a Ford forum I frequent uses one for hauling ~2500# of herbicide laced water for his lawn care business. Last I heard he was very happy with it.

I don't have any direct experience with an F150 with the HD Payload option, but everything I've heard from folks who do have one is positive. Usually these are more typically equipped F150 SuperCrew 4x4 Eco's with the HD option and payloads around 2250#.

[stub-kb-2]

Seattle Lion wrote:
We bought the truck in June and the TT later that month. When we bought the truck we didn't plan on owning an RV. Long story. We are not badly over capacity. It is a matter of a few hundred pounds if any. I just wanted to see if I could improve things a bit. The truck never bottoms out with the trailer, never has any overheating (transmission, oil, water, etc) even when climbing, and there is no serious sway (actually none most of the time). It just worries me that I am possibly over a bit.

everyone on these forums, and in the magazines are terryfied of making recomendations that will lead someone to do something stupid and / or dangerous.

as it stands, you are towing the trailer you own with the truck you own. period.

if you are comfortable doing just that but want to make some improvement (NOT TRYING TO HAUL EVEN MORE), again not to haul more, but continue doing what you are already doing more safely, i say go for it.

a lot of folks on these forums say "buy a bigger truck" like we all have $20k lying around to trade up with.

i towed with 1/2 tons for years. no different than any other tow vehicle (semis included, which i have 15+ years experience with) you have to be safe, smart, and reasonable.

i have rune firestone airbags, as well as load ratio'd main spring overloads.

if you have a few hundred bucks, the airbags are the way to go.

please don't take this as an endorsement to put another ton in your trailer, just to continue doing what you are doing with coniderably better control, and a safer ride height.