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Advice for payload mods (bags, etc)

milligan

By milligan
in Modifications & Accessories

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milligan Enthusiast

milligan

Posted
Posted

I bought my truck for home renovations and have been doing a lot of hauling (no towing.) The truck sags really, really badly when at max payload and feels squirrelier on the interstate. Not dangerous or anything, but it loses a lot of its composure. It was really apparent this weekend when I hauled pavers and mulch and I almost wished I would have purchased the 2500. Had to make three trips because of weight.

 

I'd like to at least be able to haul the recommended payload without the rear being 6 inches off the ground, so my first thought was to add bags to the back. I've never used bags or owned a vehicle with bags, so I'm unsure how that works. I've done a lot of work on trucks and cars, but haven't come across bags yet.

 

So here's my questions for you guys:

 

Do bags replace the leaf springs or do they help the leaf springs?

What bag kit would you recommend, I looked into the Airlift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate kit?

Are there any other modifications that would help with payload hauling?

 

Thanks

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austingta Enthusiast

austingta

Posted
Posted

I have hauled a pallet of grass (3000 pounds +) and mine did OK. Were you hauling more than that?

milligan Enthusiast

milligan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I was hauling about 2000lbs or right under. I was exaggerating the squat (6 inch from the ground.) 3000 seems like a lot!

irish4life8911 Enthusiast

irish4life8911

Posted
Posted

If you have a 1500, you are over your payload when hauling 2000lbs.

 

If I had to guess without looking, your payload is 1200-1600lbs

milligan Enthusiast

milligan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

That would be on the high side.

 

Load 1: 45 bags of 30lb mulch = 1,350lbs + 150lbs of gear + me 185lbs = 1,685lbs

Load 2: Pavers were 12lbs each x 110 + 10 bags + gear + me = 1955lbs

Load 3: 100 pavers + 15 mulch + gear + mee = 1985lbs

 

Door label says ~1785lb payload. Moving right around the payload capacity, slightly overloaded on the last two. My question is not how to increase or bypass the legal payload of my truck. My question is how to modify it where it handles max payload better than stock.

 

Thanks

EXSlider400 Senior Enthusiast

EXSlider400

Posted
Posted

Bags would be best but leaf helpers also come in cheap and costly. I had hi-jacker air shocks (150 psi but 200 max) and an extra leaf I took off a junkyard truck on the regular cab, as my signature shows...it held up a 7,500lb camper (unsure on tongue weight) but rode like crap when empty.

 

Assists (1 side of leaf):

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/SPR4/111020.oap?ck=Search_11-1020_-1_-1&keyword=11-1020

 

Bags:

http://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/88204/

 

Helpers (both sides of leaf):

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/hellwig-2515-2wd-silverado-1500-helper-springs-2007-2014

&

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5664

milligan Enthusiast

milligan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the links. From what I understand, adding springs will reduce sag but cause a bad ride. I do a lot of unloaded traveling too, so I'd like to retain the stock unloaded ride. It seems the adjustable bags are the best choice.

Last C5 Enthusiast

Last C5

Posted
Posted

I installed the Firestone bags. They were an easy install and they've been working great.

milligan Enthusiast

milligan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I installed the Firestone bags. They were an easy install and they've been working great.

 

I looked into that kit too, but I couldn't find out if it came with the internal bump stops like the airlift kit.

Gmcant33 Enthusiast

Gmcant33

Posted
Posted

I have hauled a pallet of grass (3000 pounds +) and mine did OK. Were you hauling more than that?

3000lbs?? Wow I'mpresssed on our 1500s we're u sagging on the ground or was like 2-3inches below stock height?

austingta Enthusiast

austingta

Posted
Posted

3000lbs?? Wow I'mpresssed on our 1500s we're u sagging on the ground or was like 2-3inches below stock height?

Riding pretty low, but not on the stops. My 13 could do it too. You can feel it most laterally, like going around a curve. I may have to do it again Friday...if I do I'll snap a pic.

Gmcant33 Enthusiast

Gmcant33

Posted
Posted

Riding pretty low, but not on the stops. My 13 could do it too. You can feel it most laterally, like going around a curve. I may have to do it again Friday...if I do I'll snap a pic.

Nice to know it handle this much weight of course I don't have s reason to put that much weight but if I came across where I had to i would have the feel better knowing out trucks can

CptMcSaug Enthusiast

CptMcSaug

Posted
Posted

I installed the Firestone bags. They were an easy install and they've been working great.

 

Got any pics loaded? Also do you have a leveling kit?

 

And if I tow 3000lbs Im using a trailer lol

milligan Enthusiast

milligan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Riding pretty low, but not on the stops. My 13 could do it too. You can feel it most laterally, like going around a curve. I may have to do it again Friday...if I do I'll snap a pic.

 

Would love to see a pic of 3klbs loaded on our trucks. I think you need bags more than me :)

morrislee Enthusiast

morrislee

Posted
Posted

This got me thinking, I might want some air bags too. I am leveled right now, if i haul anything, I am gonna be nose up.

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