Overloaded 3/4 ton trucks

[jj95]

Originally Posted by BigH

10,000 may be the maximum GVWR for 3/4ton but not all 3/4 tons are stickered to 10,000lbs. Both Ford and GM (maybe Ram I just don't know that one to be fact) have used different axles in 3/4ton trim compared to 1ton along with different spring rates at 9,500 GVWR. However, things might be changing...a buddy of mine is shopping for 3/4ton trucks and said every 2020 3/4ton Chevy he looked at had a 10,000 GVWR.

I have been looking at the 2020 Silverado 2500's quite a bit recently, I have seen GVWR of 11350. Saw it on the inside door sticker too, but didnt take a picture of it.

[rat4spd]

I had a 2015 Ram 2500 with a 5.7. The GVWR was 9000#. It had the same 6000# rear axle as the 2500 with the 6.4 and its 10,000# GVWR, as well as a 6000# front axle. So I don't see the rationale that it was any less capable just because someone handicapped it to 9000#. It squatted less than my current Ram 2500, and rode like a brick.

[frank4711]

Camped next to 3 3/4 ton diesel truck owners this weekend all 3 had 10,000 lb TT none knew there payload or cared ... pulls it like it not there ... pretty sure they were good with payload but it seems to be a common thing that payload does not matter with 3/4 ton diesel trucks ??

[67L48]

You are conflating people's ignorance of something to whether or not that something matters.

Just because you can find a bunch of people willing to ignore the payload/GVWR of their trucks doesn't mean that those numbers don't matter. They do.

If I ignore the consequence of eating a high-fat diet with zero exercise, it doesn't mean that that diet doesn't matter. I still will increase my risk of heart disease, regardless. And, it's a cumulative, insidious climb to disaster ... much like the consequences of overloading a truck.

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by jj95

I have been looking at the 2020 Silverado 2500's quite a bit recently, I have seen GVWR of 11350. Saw it on the inside door sticker too, but didnt take a picture of it.

One of the guys I work with just bought a 2020 Silverado 2500 4x4 with High Country package and the GVWR is over 11,000 too....I think it was 11,460 but need to confirm it again before I state it for fact.

But either way it's more proof than 10K max for that class of truck was mandated and not mechanical.

[Ejs4029]

Originally Posted by jj95

I have been looking at the 2020 Silverado 2500's quite a bit recently, I have seen GVWR of 11350. Saw it on the inside door sticker too, but didnt take a picture of it.

The new 2020 Chevy 2500 with the Duramax has much improved payload numbers over the 2019's This one tested in LT Trim, 4x4 is 3276lbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h38JiuoSp30

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by 67L48

You are conflating people's ignorance of something to whether or not that something matters.

Just because you can find a bunch of people willing to ignore the payload/GVWR of their trucks doesn't mean that those numbers don't matter. They do.

If I ignore the consequence of eating a high-fat diet with zero exercise, it doesn't mean that that diet doesn't matter. I still will increase my risk of heart disease, regardless. And, it's a cumulative, insidious climb to disaster ... much like the consequences of overloading a truck.

Not painting all with abroad brush just relating what I heard and read. As I said I think they were good on payload with there bumper pull TT but did not know what there payload was. Not trying to validate anyone over payload, including my 150 lbs, or anyone eating fast food and dying from heart failure, they should all stop it.

[Cowracer]

Originally Posted by 67L48

You are conflating people's ignorance of something to whether or not that something matters.

Just because you can find a bunch of people willing to ignore the payload/GVWR of their trucks doesn't mean that those numbers don't matter. They do.

If I ignore the consequence of eating a high-fat diet with zero exercise, it doesn't mean that that diet doesn't matter. I still will increase my risk of heart disease, regardless. And, it's a cumulative, insidious climb to disaster ... much like the consequences of overloading a truck.

Ignoring the GVWR is not in any way unsafe when those GVWR numbers are artificially and arbitrarily held to a limit to satisfy a bureaucratic need. You are not "overloading" your truck in the technical or mechanical sense. You are "exceeding the max weight allowed for a class 2 truck by the Federal Highway Administration".

Tim

[Skidooman]

I tow a 2014 Open Range Roamer 367bhs Dry weight of 11500, loaded probably close to 13k never weighed it and I dont care. I've towed it over 10k miles with a 15 Ram 2500 first 3k with a 6.4 gas and the last 7k with a 6.7 Cummins. The cummins I use now has a payload of about 1900 so I am sure I am well over weight with 4 in the truck and some odds and ends in the bed. I do use a anderson ultimate so that helps a little. But through the mountains of yellowstone and the grand tetons, through the black hills. The wide open prairies of eastern Wyoming and eastern South Dakota in high winds and rain I have never once felt I dont have enough truck. I bought the truck I did because I didnt want a 1 ton. I am still happy to this day. It's my opinion you tow with what makes you comfortable. If being over weight on payload makes you uncomfortable then it's not for you. Knowing I'm over my payload weight has never bothered me one bit. I know what the truck is capable of due to my background. Unless I go to an even larger 5th wheel I have no intention or feeling that I need a truck with more pay load.

Next summer I will be making a 4000k mile trek from Mn to Utah and back using the same truck and 5th wheel. I have no concerns that my truck will not make the trip enjoyable.

[alvinmb]

Originally Posted by Skidooman

I tow a 2014 Open Range Roamer 367bhs Dry weight of 11500, loaded probably close to 13k never weighed it and I dont care. I've towed it over 10k miles with a 15 Ram 2500 first 3k with a 6.4 gas and the last 7k with a 6.7 Cummins. The cummins I use now has a payload of about 1900 so I am sure I am well over weight with 4 in the truck and some odds and ends in the bed. I do use a anderson ultimate so that helps a little. But through the mountains of yellowstone and the grand tetons, through the black hills. The wide open prairies of eastern Wyoming and eastern South Dakota in high winds and rain I have never once felt I dont have enough truck. I bought the truck I did because I didnt want a 1 ton. I am still happy to this day. It's my opinion you tow with what makes you comfortable. If being over weight on payload makes you uncomfortable then it's not for you. Knowing I'm over my payload weight has never bothered me one bit. I know what the truck is capable of due to my background. Unless I go to an even larger 5th wheel I have no intention or feeling that I need a truck with more pay load.

Next summer I will be making a 4000k mile trek from Mn to Utah and back using the same truck and 5th wheel. I have no concerns that my truck will not make the trip enjoyable.

I am confident you are not alone, you are right, tow what makes you comfortable. When I am ready to go fifth wheel I will do my best to stay close to max payload but who knows. I see more 3/4 trucks than 1 tons out here in CA. I think the cost to register is more, that is why I chose 3/4 over 1 ton plus I knew I wont be buying a 42+ feet toy hauler and probably will never go full time.

[Kennerg]

I manage a small fleet of trucks that are spread across 20 states.
I had one truck, a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD with 4:10 4wd that I was going to set up to carry 305 gal spray tank.
I looked into making the truck a 3500 by adding a different axel and dualies.
The problem I ran into was even though the axle was heavy enough, to change to heavier hubs, for the dual tires you would have to change the axle. Then the brake hubs, etc.
Where the starting point (frame, axles etc.)may be the same, the chances of liability of overgrossing a vehicle that the manufacturer only rated as one figure and now is carrying another amount in excess of that spec, and being involved in an accident are not worth the trouble!

Safe travels!

[alvinmb]

Many people have said the difference from a 2500 and a 3500 is the rear suspension. I was looking just for fun between parts on a 2018 RAM 2500 and 3500. I can confirm the brakes are the same, actually a lot of the parts are the same. Maybe there is some truth. The leaf springs I guess it where the extra capacity comes from and in RAM's case unless you get the Aisin transmission, looks like the only difference would be the leaf springs. Just an observation, not telling anyone what to do.

[desuhu]

When we purchased our 2003 Silverado HD 2500 Duramax/diesel, we did check the tow rating and it was rated to tow 22,500 combined weight, both truck and trailer loaded. We have a 37'5th wheel that weighed 12,900 empty weight and we have never had a problem towing it. We still have the truck, because who can possibly afford the new heavy duties, which are selling upwards of 80,000.

[WalterW]

Originally Posted by alvinmb

Agree with all your comments. I chose 3/4 over 1 ton for a less harsh ride, we realistically tow 3-4 times a year going on 4 day trips at this time with our work schedules, similarly equipped 1 ton was $3k more plus I would want the Aisin only if I was going to go 1 ton, less cost to register here in CA. Our current bumper pull is around 7000lbs when we go out, so no problem for now. Just need to plan properly for the next purchase. The payload on my truck now is 2029 lbs.

I had a 2013 Chevy 2500HD with Duramax, then bought a 2011 41 foot 5th wheel toy hauler from Camping World. The sale folks assured me I could tow it and I drove out pulling it (empty). I later found out the pin weight put my 2500 over by several hundred pounds. As soon as I learned about it, I bought a Ram 3500 dually with the Cummins and Aisin tranny. I know I towed the 5th wheel without problem for a few thousand miles, but would never do it again.

The ride on the Ram 3500 dually is actually better than the ride on the Chevy 2500. Neither is soft, but the 3500 dually is my truck of choice. The 3500 is not taxed towing the 17,400 pound 5th wheel with 3450 pound pin weight. Of course, I also keep my speed around 60, because the combined weight is up around 25,000 pounds.

[strgrazr]

Ratings can be overstated by manufacturers especially for towing, we got a 3500 Ram Cummins , all the new 2500 Rams we looked at had coil springs, have owned 3 2500 Duramaxs which had leaf springs like the 3500 Ram, they all towed great. A new 2500 Duramaxs cost much more than a 3500 Ram Cummins Dually. Dealer let us test drive towing with a used 2500 Ram with coil springs on a windy day, it was not pretty, dam scary, better to have too much truck than not enough, stability and safety. What I am trying to say is all 2500’s are not created equal for towing. My 3500 door sticker gives tire pressures for loaded and unloaded, softens the ride.

[walaby]

Not advocating one way or the other, but, Im willing to bet the Toyota Prius I saw today with three fat chicks in it was over the cargo capacity.


If they get into a wreck, do ya think a lawyer will claim they exceeded payload?


betcha they exceeded axle weight rating too.



Mike

[Skidooman]

The response I posted earlier regarding my experience towing a large 5th wheel is with a Ram 2500 that does happen to have coil springs. Personally I find the notion that coil springs are less capable false. I have 10k miles overloaded to prove it. As I stated earlier I have never felt unsafe, even in high cross winds. That's my experience but others may feel different. One of the reasons I stayed away from a 1 ton SRW was because I wanted coil springs, the ride loaded & unloaded is considerably better imo.

[Skidooman]

Originally Posted by walaby

Not advocating one way or the other, but, Im willing to bet the Toyota Prius I saw today with three fat chicks in it was over the cargo capacity.


If they get into a wreck, do ya think a lawyer will claim they exceeded payload?


betcha they exceeded axle weight rating too.



Mike

Hahahaha

[Cowracer]

Originally Posted by Skidooman

The response I posted earlier regarding my experience towing a large 5th wheel is with a Ram 2500 that does happen to have coil springs. Personally I find the notion that coil springs are less capable false. I have 10k miles overloaded to prove it. As I stated earlier I have never felt unsafe, even in high cross winds. That's my experience but others may feel different. One of the reasons I stayed away from a 1 ton SRW was because I wanted coil springs, the ride loaded & unloaded is considerably better imo.

Like i said before, if coils are so bad at carrying weight, why does every railcar in the yard at work have them. A spring is a spring.

Tim

[DavidWJ]

2000-2006 GMC 2500HD.
(not the 2500)

My 2500HD is a 2003 CCSB 6.0 gas, 4L80, 4.10, goose-neck hitch.

Same frame as 1 ton.

14 bolt rear axle with 10.5" ring gear instead of 11.5" on the 1 ton. Longer axles than on the 1 ton. 1 ton ratios go beyond 4.10.

Lower rear spring rate than 1 ton.


Same engine and transmission specifications.

Same base option brakes.

2500HD pickups are very common around here for their versatility. 3500 diesel dually flatbeds are also very common because they make great full-time haulers.