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Increase Payload?

Byrds8
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Byrds8 Enthusiast

Byrds8

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Is there a way to increase the payload on a 1500? My payload is only a bit over 1700lbs. Today my wife wanted a bunch of blocks to build a wall in front of the garden. I had to make two trips to Lowes to get them all as the combined weight was over 2100lbs. What can I do to increase that 1700 to something higher? I know it may not be all the time I need that high of a rating but would rather not make two trips when I do lol. Thanks.

richard wysong Senior Enthusiast

richard wysong

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you can add a leaf or change the rear springs  but without adding bigger brakes, bigger load range tires the springs are only part of the equation. the truck was designed to that payload so the axles, frame etc are different. better off to use the rental trucks at home depot. a 500lb overload occasionaly won't hurt it

Gangly Senior Enthusiast

Gangly

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It depends on if your just wanting to increase payload without pulling a trailer, or increased payload and pulling a trailer. 

 

If your wanting to increase payload capacity and also be pulling a trailer of substantial weight then Tires, Suspension, and Brakes all need to be addressed as there can be serious concerns there.

 

If you are concerned with ONLY the vehicle's payload, and wont be pulling the additional weight of a trailer behind you, then your just looking at tires and "add a leaf".   I know load variances affect braking and handling, but over all mass, and the number of braking wheels are your primary determinates in braking efficiency given all other items being constants.  You can add significantly more weight as properly placed load capacity and there would be minimal affects on the braking performance seeing how they are designed to be capable of slowing down considerably more weight (think truck and attached max loaded trailer), even with the additional weight added strictly to the truck from increased payload capacity.

Byrds8 Enthusiast

Byrds8

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So if I decided to add a leaf, what type of increase would that net? Also, would bagging the rear have the same affect?

Silverado4x4 Senior Enthusiast

Silverado4x4

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Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Byrds8 said:

So if I decided to add a leaf, what type of increase would that net? Also, would bagging the rear have the same affect?

It depends on what you get usually about 1000lbs. The over leaf spring is the easiest to install runs about 50-60 bucks or so and the add a leaf this one you have to take the spring pack apart to add the extra leaf is around 100 bucks and up with the same extra weight capacity but will give you about 1.5 to 2 inches of lift and a rougher ride in the rear. If I were you I would get the over leaf kit no lift just extra capacity. Lift bags will do the same and they run about 400 bucks without the compressor and up with the compressor add a couple more 100 bucks. Before you start into that check your tire load capacity its on the side wall of the tire.

Edited by Silverado4x4
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Gangly Senior Enthusiast

Gangly

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16 hours ago, Byrds8 said:

So if I decided to add a leaf, what type of increase would that net? Also, would bagging the rear have the same affect?

They would both make you more stable.  Add a leaf, like mentioned above, will raise the truck's rear which is not always wanted for daily driven trucks, and can make the ride feel harsh when unloaded.  If you have the extra cash on hand, bags are the way to go in my opinion.  You can easily raise/adjust the ride height on the rear of the truck, making it possible to cater your vehicles ride and handling to the characteristics you prefer.  They are fantastic additions if you ever carry loads that might be a tad over recommended values 😀

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Byrds8 Enthusiast

Byrds8

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So, if I went with the bags, I could intentionally carry another 1k lbs? I have thought about eventually leveling or slightly lifting the truck. If I do that I thought about bagging it to begin with just so when I carry a load it doesnt squat. I do appreciate all yalls advice.

 

The load index on my tires is is 115 which looks to be 2679lbs. Not sure how you figure out how much you can put on them. Doesnt seem right to just add them together and subtract the weight of the truck since the truck's weight is not evenly distributed.

Edited by Byrds8
Gangly Senior Enthusiast

Gangly

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You are correct, the weight is not evenly distributed.  The most accurate measurement would be to load your truck up in a manner as near as identical to how you plan on using it, then weigh each corner to get an accurate representation of weight distribution.  Once you have an empirical value for your eight distribution at each corner, use that to formulate a solution for your needs.  Ideally, when you take your measurements you should make sure that the weight you place in the bed of your truck is shifted as far forward as possible to minimize squat and adverse handling characteristics.

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  • 1 month later...
mandrewbot3k Enthusiast

mandrewbot3k

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On 4/5/2022 at 6:00 PM, Byrds8 said:

So, if I went with the bags, I could intentionally carry another 1k lbs? I have thought about eventually leveling or slightly lifting the truck. If I do that I thought about bagging it to begin with just so when I carry a load it doesnt squat. I do appreciate all yalls advice.

 

The load index on my tires is is 115 which looks to be 2679lbs. Not sure how you figure out how much you can put on them. Doesnt seem right to just add them together and subtract the weight of the truck since the truck's weight is not evenly distributed.

A lot of things to consider, wheel capacity (not just tire), axle capacity.

 

The bags don't increase your payload by definition. Your load is now just resting on the rear axle now instead of slamming the jounce bumpers down on it. For sure be careful. I suspect theres probably about a 30% factor safety on most of the components and the leaf springs are the weakest point, intentionally. We can see how much it's being loaded by how the leafs react. If they were too stiff, there's too much chance people would think they were find and constantly overload. 

swathdiver Senior Enthusiast

swathdiver

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Posted

You can have a local truck shop add a leaf or two to your spring pack which may or may not increase the rear height of the truck.  You can also browse the Dayton catalog and see if they offer a higher capacity spring pack for your truck.  They do for mine.

 

Most trucks today don't even have a 1500 pound payload capacity as they are loaded down with creature comforts.  Our NHT has a payload capacity of 1805 pounds.

Byrds8 Enthusiast

Byrds8

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I currently have a payload of around 1750. Even if I could only get it 500lbs that would suit me just fine.

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