Towing with Lowered Truck

Speaking of Chevy low riders!

This guys see no problem with a lowered TV.

Another Chevy low rider.

On an interesting note, I have never been able to get my overloads to engage without overloading the truck.

And the OE load rating is not affected by any modifications in any event; my state restricts trailering to "manufacturer's rated capacity." Like the law in every state in which I'm aware, modifications neither increase, nor decrease, the ratings the factory gives. The GVWR and other ratings are on the door or door jam.

The reason your overloads didn't contact is their tuned to the trucks RAWR...not the truck mfg GVWR or its GVWR payload.

mich800 wrote:

1ed wrote:
I Purchase it that way. Taking it to an expert next week.

Just to be clear. You purchased a stock used truck that you want to lower? Or is there a lift kit on it making it higher than stock?

He bought it lowered, and wants to see about the towing capacity of it that way. That's the way I understand it.

1ed wrote:
I Purchase it that way. Taking it to an expert next week.

Just to be clear. You purchased a stock used truck that you want to lower? Or is there a lift kit on it making it higher than stock?

1ed wrote:
I Purchase it that way. Taking it to an expert next week.

An "expert" in lowering trucks, not necessarily towing. Take any advice he gives you with a grain of salt because he may not know a thing about modifying trucks to be lower AND have towing/hauling capacity.

Generally speaking trucks are lowered for cosmetic reasons, and the suspension modifications are not performed with towing or hauling in mind. It's all for LOOKS, and sometimes for handling.

twodownzero, his sarcasm went way over your head.

Grit dog wrote:

twodownzero wrote:
I just lowered mine on purpose to make it pull my 5er more level. Newer trucks are way too tall!

Was it lowered by replacing the springs, so-called "flipping" the axle, or by replacing shackles and hangers? Replacing the springs with lowering springs would inevitably lower their capacity, but the other two options retain the full spring capacity and would not really be of concern. Obviously use a proper hitch for the weight you're pulling, which would be a receiver and not the bumper. Other than that you'll probably be fine.

Wow, you just modified the OE equipment on your truck, nullifying the OE load rating by way of modification! How do you sleep at night?

Pot meet kettle.

I actually didn't modify anything. I moved spacers that were once below the axle to above the axle. It had the effect of both lowering the truck and making the overloads engage sooner. The weight capacity of the springs was unaffected. On an interesting note, I have never been able to get my overloads to engage without overloading the truck.

And the OE load rating is not affected by any modifications in any event; my state restricts trailering to "manufacturer's rated capacity." Like the law in every state in which I'm aware, modifications neither increase, nor decrease, the ratings the factory gives. The GVWR and other ratings are on the door or door jam.

Your trolling attempt is like saying that installing a different trailer hitch or having a front end alignment changes load capacity. Yet my truck, and many trucks like it, are rated for 5th wheel trailering even though the factory has no real input into how that trailer hitch will be installed in the vehicle.

Modifications are very different from deliberately overloading something that has a rated capacity signed off on by an engineer who understands the variables in play.

While 1500's might have a decent tow capacity, they generally have a crappy payload capacity. If you are low now, you may be dragging ass with the trailer tongue weight. If everything else checks out okay, you might want air bags to keep you from throwing sparks at every dip in the road.

I have driven a dually that was lowered for trailer pulling and due to constrained suspension travel the ride was extra rough. On the other hand, the suspension and driveline on trucks with steel springs are designed to function with a variety of loads and therefore a variety of ride heights it shouldn't mess things up but properly is the key word and you may have tradeoffs.