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pcoplin wrote:
I doubt that truck even has E rated tires on it. May be P metric tires on it?



And are you sure on the 1999? maybe it's an 845? Or maybe an earlier 945?

Yes, you are right, mistype there, it is an 845.

The tires are rated at 3086lbs load max.

I have read everyone's replies, and I understand why you have all commented. I agree, if you look at the sticker on the door jamb and do the math, according to those numbers, the truck is overloaded.

Another thing I understand is that there are other factors in play when it comes to where the weight numbers come from. For example, I worked at a place that bought a ford f550 and sent it off to have a flatbed installed. We received a call from the flatbed company and they asked us what weight we were going to be hauling. They explained that if we tell them 600lbs then the truck will fall under certain guidelines and registration and insurance will be more expensive, but if we tell them 500lbs it will all be much cheaper.

So here we had this beast of a truck that was only "rated" to carry around 100 bricks. yet, I frequently loaded the truck with pallets of brick, or sod, and never had an issue... How is it possible that the sticker on the door said it could only carry 500lbs, yet miraculously we were somehow able to load much more onto the truck? And how is it that insurance costs and registration fees were a reason as to why a manufacturer would reduce what the vehicle was allowed to haul?

Point being, the vehicle weight limits are not necessarily determined by the capability of the vehicle.

I have a tundra and I have a lance 845 (sorry for the typo), and I am going to modify the truck to haul it around. The engine has the power. The tranny is strong enough to hold up. the brakes are more than adequate. the axles are well built. the ONLY issue I currently have is the suspension feels unsafe. So that is getting modified to properly handle the weight.

The reason I chose a tundra is for reliability. I dont want to get into "my brand is better" debate, but my experience led me to where I am. I can list dozens of examples of American "branded" trucks and the issues I have seen. If I am going to spend the money on a rig, I am going to spend it on something that I believe I can rely on to get me from point A to point B without any troubles. I would rather spend the money to properly equip a tundra than buy a "properly equipped" ford, dodge, or chevy. I would rather spend the money to modify a tundra now than to spend a bunch more while I am out in the desert, or 1000 miles from home when my ford decides to blow a radiator or my dodge gives up a rear end (wanna guess how I came up with those examples?). Even if this means aftermarket springs and airbags and sway bars.

Research puts the 845 at ~2200lbs dry. With a ~1500 load limit I am 700lbs over just with the camper. I add the airbags which are rated to increase load capacity 3200-5000lbs. I have to believe that the airbags will at least help in carrying the load (remind me what semi trucks/trailers use for their suspension?). I am sure this will only spark more debates about that really equates to gvrw calculations, then maybe the legality of overloading a truck. In the end, what does it come down to? Safety. I was driving a dodge van the other day. It was converted into an RV. that thing was legal to drive on the roads, yet in the short period I drove it, I felt it was one of the most unsafe feeling vehicles I had ever driven. I have driven concrete trucks, flatbed semis, transfer trucks, and this dodge van had a massive stopping distance (the reason for my test drive was to check the new brand new front pads, rotors, calipers and hoses on this 60k mile van), every turn felt like it was going to tip over, and even the slightest gust of wind at highway speeds caused it to sway.

In the end, using my experience, I am confident that my setup will be able to be operated safely. If you want to discuss legality, I am sure you always drive 65mph MAX or 55mph with a trailer right (in california)? The state has determined those are the safest speeds to travel at, and the government must be correct... I bet you always use your blinkers and never use your phone... You always leave 1 car length per 10mph between you and the car in front of you... Shall I go on or should I list more laws that are supposed to make everyone a safe driver that everyone breaks regularly, if not consistently.