How to increase payload on 1500

[DayUSeX]

So I want to be able to haul more, load up more studs at the lumbar yard, what is the best way of doing this? 2007 classic silverado 1500. woohoo thanks!

[svensk]

Well how much (weight) do you want to haul. Towing is one thing, but hauling too much weight regularly in a half ton truck strains the axle, and driveline beyond what it was designed for. Even if you added an extra leaf spring or air bags or whatever it really is not a good idea. Your tranny isn't strong enough either to consistantly overload it.

[DayUSeX]

um about 3000lbs would be nice, but probably not realistic huh?

it isnt very often (like once a month, 100 miles) but it would sure be nice rather than having to swap it for the f450.

[silveradoHO]

It would probably cost less to just get a bigger truck.

[DayUSeX]

well i mean is 2500 a reaosnable amount, what can i haul now?

[silveradoHO]

Payload on a 1500 is about 1400lb, so no, 2500 is still too much. Payload on a 2500HD is about 3500lb. I

[az'03Silverado]

1000-1200lbs is a safe load. The 1500 on the truck includes people, 'stuff' and bed load. If you're looking at 3000lbs you'd need to go to a 3500 Silv or 4500 Kodiak. Maybe a better option would be a tandem-axle flat trailer and some tie-downs if it's only a monthly trip.

[silveradoHO]

Cheapest option would be to get a trailer.

[DayUSeX]

so would helper bags or active suspension (the leaf spring thigns) help me haul more like maybe 400-600 lbs more?

[MrLM7]

I'd say price trailers. Besides, you can haul any lenght of board if you have a long enough trailer. Even if you have a Kodiak with a Duramax and helper springs, you'll still be limited to an 8 foot bed and terrible fuel mileage. Just my$.02

[s-ten]

When working at my uncles last summer my brother and I put about 300 gallons of water in the back of his 2000 ECSB 1500. That is approximately 2500 pounds and it sat the truck down on the axle, we only needed to do it once and we never drove it on a road but I would not recommend it. The next time we needed to water he left us a trailer to use, the truck had no problem towing the water on the trailer and that is what I would recommend.

[DayUSeX]

yeah but unfortunatily for a lengthyl list of reasons trailer is not an option. ggrrrr otherwise i would have gotten one ages ago.

[95Sierra2500]

My grandfather has only ever had half-ton, regular cab, long box, 2wd, manual transmission trucks. He's a farmer, so he's CONSTANTLY got his truck sitting on the rubber bump stops due to feed or lumber or wood or animals or whatever in the bed of his truck. He's never had any issues (no spring/engine/trans/axle failures) and has always traded his used truck in on a new one after about 10 years. If this guy is only doing this once a month and not every day, he should be fine. The lumber yard might make him sign a waiver though.

[hockeyfan39]

My dad has airbags in his danali for when he pulls trailers and they help but still not going to get your payload close to 3,000lb. If you wanted to do heavy hauling look into a heavy duty truck....

[az'03Silverado]

Airbags/helpers will keep the rear from sagging somewhat but they don't increase the safe payload capacity of the truck.