Upgrades to Half Ton

[jerky]

Originally Posted by tbln930

My brother-in-law's overload f250 still broke a spring overloaded even with him putting something to lessen the bottoming impact. I guess you can move the weakest link to something else that breaks first.?

Is there proof that it broke cause it was overloaded???? Lots of things can break springs


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[tbln930]

Proof? :-) He was about 500 lbs over the rear axle limit and hit a bump on a bridge when it happened. He said it wasn't a real big bump either. He pulls a 39' Keystone Sprinter which is way too much for any F250 except maybe the new 2017s. He went up from an F150 like mine but not nearly enough for a 5er. I had some folks say they went to a F250 because it is "super duty". LOL He could squeak by with an F350 SRW but a duelly would be better. Use the specs and numbers folks and weigh them all.

Originally Posted by jerky

Is there proof that it broke cause it was overloaded???? Lots of things can break springs


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[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by jerky

Is there proof that it broke cause it was overloaded???? Lots of things can break springs

I just assumed it broke because it was a Ford

[The_Rhino]

In college I used to drive/maintain a fleet of 1/2, 3/4 & 1 ton trucks for construction /utility companies... When regularly operated near payload capacity or for serious towing the gas 1/2 ton trucks did not hold up well requiring constant brake, tranny, and suspension work... Diesel work on our 1 tons was very pricey making the gas 3/4 tons the best bang/buck.

IMO the OP could trade-in his Titan for a used 3/4 ton gasser and almost break-even on price. In 2013 I bought a 2011 Ram 2500 CC w/5.7 Hemi, 3000 lb. payload & balance of powertrain warranty for $14,000. The 5.7 Hemi has 385hp compared to the Titan 5.6's 305hp plus the 2500 has a beefier frame, suspension, and brakes.

Our entry-level Ram 2500 CC has a payload of 3,000 but a GCVW of only 15,000 which is actually LESS than the Titan... IMO Ram went light on the specs to not compete with their diesel sales whereas Nissan went bold on specs to compete w/other 1/2 ton manufacturers... So even with similar specs there is a big difference in towing experience & safety.

Our TT is 8,000 loaded so loaded with all of our gear we operate very near our GCVW, although we are 500 under our max payload of 3,000... We have no issues towing throughout the Smoky Mts., in high winds, and on bad surfaces. In comparison, the OP wants to tow a TT that is already 8,000 EMPTY which takes his Titan well-over Nissan's already liberal payload & GCVW specs...

IMO you can get-away with overloading for a while but eventually something breaks, you can't stop/control in an emergency, etc. and then you have to live with the regret of your poor choices. So IMO the OP needs to find a safer choice for towing a TT that is 8,000 empty with GCVW over 15,000... IMO he can sell the Nissan & buy a 2500 for less (net) than the parts would cost to upgrade his Nissan... Yes, technically one could "lose the house" if your overloaded condition caused serious injury/death but IMO the "ambulance chasing" lawyers are targeting commercial trucks w/huge insurance limits...

[jerky]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

I just assumed it broke because it was a Ford

Ouch


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[Seachaser186]

Originally Posted by jerky

Ouch


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If the OP had a F150 instead of a Titan he may not have been overweight.

[dustman_stx]

With all of this safety talk, I just want to point out that speed has an exponential affect on kinetic energy, whereas mass does not. We seem to worry a LOT on here about a 2% increase in mass which will have a small effect on stopping distance and energy should there be a collision, yet worry little about speed. The SAFEST thing we could do is SLOW DOWN, yet no one seems to preach it- at least nothing other than, "don't exceed 65 as that's what the ST tires are rated for."

[f5moab]

I wonder why the OP has never posted a follow-up?

[pdqparalegal1]

I don't know why we don't all buy an OTR tractor and convert it to pull rv trailers That must be the only solution in soms people''s world.

[Jeff_and_Abby]

Would this be appropriate ?? ( smirk )

[tbln930]

We have some state parks in Missouri where these things would really be a challenge to get in and out of in the Ozarks like Montauk state park.

[rbreier]

Originally Posted by SaskCampers

That is not true at all, there are many F250 configurations that have over 3000lb payload capacity. The OP is looking for a financially responsible way to get more comfortable pulling his existing unit, I am pretty sure a duallie of any type does not fit that bill.

Yes, There are many ways I could improve towing given unlimited money. I have considered buying a new truck this winter, but I would much rather make my Titan last another year.

[rbreier]

Originally Posted by Seachaser186

When someone starts one of these threads they should state the obvious. "We all know or should know that a 3/4 or 1 ton truck is a more capable towing vehicle than a 1/2 ton; however I am more interested in what improvements I can make to my stock 1/2 ton truck for a better towing experience."

Boy, I swear I hinted at that! lol.

Originally Posted by rbreier

Obviously, I have considered getting a bigger truck. But I drive this to work every day and the mileage is tolerable to me. So I am considering some upgrades to keep a little wobble out and protect my suspension and transmission.

[rbreier]

What are you showing under the truck?

Originally Posted by john5646

06 Titan pulling 9000 plus. Mods that helped me.
Firestone ride rite air bags
Electric tranny cooler, in addition to factory cooler. Note the factory cooler is not a lot bigger than an electric water heater element.
Equalizer hitch 1200 lb bars
Modified with friction sway control. Attachment 121651Attachment 121652Attachment 121653Attachment 121654

[rbreier]

Originally Posted by f5moab

I wonder why the OP has never posted a follow-up?

Because I don't check this often.

Some good advice here, way too much ego flexing though.

[rbreier]

Originally Posted by tbln930

We have some state parks in Missouri where these things would really be a challenge to get in and out of in the Ozarks like Montauk state park.

Been there, it wasn't a challenge.

[CaptnJohn]

This question keeps coming up. Waiting for the post of someone wanting to make their pop up into a Berkshire.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by SaskCampers

That is not true at all, there are many F250 configurations that have over 3000lb payload capacity.

Yup. Mine has almost 3,000 lb payload on my sticker...

... but I am comfortable exceeding that.

Available Payload = GVWR - current weight.

Since F250's are paper handicapped at 10,000 GVWR the payload they can safely handle is more than the sticker.

The difference between a modern F250 and a F350 SRW is the extra 2 inches of block under the rear springs... and nothing else.

This tells me: I can safely use the F350 SRW numbers... as long as I don't bottom out my rear springs, since I have two inches less of travel.

Many folks disagree, however I don't lose sleep over it. [emoji846]

[Seachaser186]

This is a upgrade to a half ton.

[pdqparalegal1]

What makes it a 1/2 ton truck? Just curious.