GAWR with towing package

[laserray]

I did something real bone-headed today and now I want to find out what my rear gawr is with the towing package (not sure if I can trust the door plate since the package was an add-on). It's a 1997 k1500 4x4 with towing package, crew cab, short bed.

 

The plate says 3700 for the rear, but here's the thing: I had HomeDepot put a whole pallet of shingles on the back (about 3300 lbs) before I thought about checking the gawr. Yeah, that was stupid, but I never have really hauled anything heavy before and just didn't think. The rear sunk down but I made it home (about 4 miles) without any bangs or other problems, and I checked the springs after I got home and no obvious problems, so either I was real lucky or the actual rating is higher, cuz I KNOW the back of the truck doesn't weigh less than 400 lbs.

 

Anyone know specifically for this truck? No doubt if I have to do it again, I'll make sure I don't overload, but just curious now.

[richard wysong]

what's the gvw? I would go by that before  axle rating, weigh the truck empty and subtract that from the gvw and thats your payload. 

[CamGTP]

I'd bet it's less than 1,900 lbs.

 

Never seen a 4 door crew cab that old either unless it was a 2500/3500. They were all extended cabs in the 1500;s.

[richard wysong]

payload on my 98 k2500 is around 2400lbs . weighs 6250 empty with full fuel tank, gvw 8600.  it has a liftgate on it that's around 500lbs and plow gear so bare bones it would be close to 3000. that's pretty good for a 3/4 ton truck I think. it gets overloaded quite frequently and handles it well, doesn't bottom out even at 1000lbs over gross but I did notice a rear axle seal leaking last check over so I'm thinking the axle may be worn where it rides on the bearing. I just bought another truck so I can take the old girl out of service for some TLC. that's 1 thing that a full float rear diff has over semi floater. no axle wear

[richard wysong]

I would be more concerned with the load rating of the tires than axle rating, lots of light duty trucks have passenger car rated tires on them. If the first letter in the tire size is P thats a passenger car tire even though its the correct size it's really not engineered to carry a heavy load