Wishing I Had A Hd

[02silveradols]

What do you guys think? Am I pushing the half ton to much around the yard? Or would some helper springs do the trick just fine. The truck has plenty of power and I don't often haul this. Thanks

 

 

 

[Majorleaguebass]

i would get the firestone ride rite kit, it kinda expensive but it's SWEET!!!

[csheatz]

helper springs or air bags will help. but i dont think your working the truck to hard! Next time we put 4000lbs in the bed of our work truck I will take a pic for ya (and its a 1500) to see overloaded.

[icecoldtexan]

Here are some pics of my 2500HD with a load of dirt.

 

 

 

 

[Outbacker]

I don't think you are working it too hard at all. I used to carry full loads of topsoil or gravel when I had the Z71, and it rode fine. Your truck looks pretty good all loaded up, and working for a living.

[DofD]

Oh heck, you're okay with that sort of load. If you do haul that much quite often, some helper springs would help.

 

I should have taken some pictures of my Tahoe when I hauled a load of paving stones home from Rona. She was really riding low that day.

[jhoobs66]

It doesn't look that bad. If you hauled that much every day or on a regular basis then I would do something. The only thing I would do is drive a little easier and make sure your tires are properly inflated when hauling heavy loads. Otherwise nice pics!

[jrrod2004]

you should be fine, unless you are hauling a pallet of sod like that other guy was with his GMT900 truck

[alaska511]

You'll be fine. That is the reason I sold my HD CC, wasn't using it enough, and I pull a 25' TT.

 

I have AirLift Air helpers, love them. I had the RideRites on my last 2 HDs, they are great too.

[Silverado4x4]

You'll be fine. That is the reason I sold my HD CC, wasn't using it enough, and I pull a 25' TT.

 

I have AirLift Air helpers, love them. I had the RideRites on my last 2 HDs, they are great too.

Same here I had a extracab 2500HD D-MAX, but most of your firewood weight is pass the rear axle making your truck sit down more due to leverage. If you had the weight more even in the bed it wouldnt be squating that much.

[2018GMC]

Without the 2.5" lift blocks (to fit the 35's) she would have been past the bump stops. With a load like this my truck finally rides better than a covered wagon. Still running the stock springs from 1979. Oh yes!

 

I'm actually on a decline so it is squatting more than it looks.

 

Nice to see trucks getting used!

 

[lacartus]

IMO it's ok to overload a 1/2 ton periodically, if it's an everyday occurrence and you cover miles, then I think it's time for an HD. I added Ride Rite air bags to my GMT900 because I found I didn't have enough clearance when loaded. I see you're also working offroad, so that might help. The bags add 50lbs of load capacity for each psi. I hauled 2100 lbs of stone to a site with 20 psi in the bags and it rode like stock. I wouldn't do it daily, but it's nice to have the savings of a 1/2 ton daily and the higher capacity only a few psi away when I need it.

 

Added image: AirRides with 20psi and 2 yards of damp top soil

[02silveradols]

Thanks for the replys. I will have to start looking into getting some helper spring or air bags. Which is the most cost effecient for my application? You guys work your trucks harder then me haha. Thanks

[mljenkins]

I put 1ton Hellwig helper springs on mine. I don't have them tightened down hardly at all. I can haul 1,800 lbs (40 bales hay * ~45lbs/each) plus have the tag-a-long weighing around 6,000 lbs hitched and it squats a few inches. One day I'd like to take it across a scale and see what my actual GAW is doing this.

 

As far as a standalone load, the hay alone (1,800 lbs) doesn't push it down but maybe an inch or so. It never bottoms out.

 

After reading all the posts on this forum I wish I would have went with airbags. Oh well, there's always the next truck! Now I just have to convince the wife! Seriously next truck will be an HD. Of course, I'll have to save a bit longer for it and may have to consider getting a beater to drive to work to afford the difference in gas usage. Currently I get between 16-18 mpg, usually on the high end, driving to work (~75 miles a day).

[wtbrowne]

Over time components will fail. The first thing to fail will most likely be tires. The HD's have E rated tires to handle the extra weight. The 1500's generally have D rated tires and overloading them can damage the sidewalls and/or the belts. Ask me how I know? If you only do this occasionally, buy tires rated for heavier loads the next time you need tires.