Tow Vehicle suspension upgrades

[LegacyFB38]

Originally Posted by mzodarg

Copied from GM Sight.

Year 2015, model:High Country, Engineuramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8

Max Towing Capacity: 17,900 lbs
Max Payload: 3,501 lbs
Max Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 10,000 lbs

sticker in the glove box state max payload 1498 lbs looks like I need to start looking for a dually. I had no idea

Not realizing "Max Tow Capacity/Max Payload" doesn't apply to your particular truck is VERY common.


Also very common is the belief that a bolt-on or two will fix the problem. Legally it will never be "fixed"...whatever the door sticker says is forever. Technically, a few bolt-ons may make it "OK". MAYBE. Example: Joe Camper says he has air bags on his 3/4 ton short bed and everything is fine pulling his Garage-Mahal toy box. Really? What about the tires? Or the wheels? Or the axle housing? Or the internals in the housing? Or the... It's almost endless.


Several folks have suggested more truck is the answer. I totally agree. We just pulled our boat (a bit over 10,000#) for the first time with our F450 diesel dually. Absolutely wonderful towing experience compared to our 3/4 ton gasser SRW. Both motor and suspension are a HUGE improvement. Wish we made the upgrade a long time ago!

[hybridlife]

Is it me or does that max payload seem low for a 3/4 ton diesel? My F150 has a max payload of 1687 lbs, would have thought the GM 3/4 ton would be more. I understand all the bells and whistles eating up payload but dang!

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by mfeeley

Is it me or does that max payload seem low for a 3/4 ton diesel? My F150 has a max payload of 1687 lbs, would have thought the GM 3/4 ton would be more. I understand all the bells and whistles eating up payload but dang!

Bells, whistles, and an 800+lb engine add up. Direct from GMC, here is the MAX payload for a 2500HD CCSB 4WD diesel; 2,513LB. That's for the base model truck in that config. Going up in trim levels and options just keeps taking away from that and the placard is how much payload capacity is left as it left the factory. It's GVWR minus scale weight at the factory.

Payload capacity on 3/4-ton crew cab 4WD diesel trucks is always very low compared to other gas trucks, including 1/2-tons.

[BigRockr]

I noticed that big on your truck in a previous post and was gonna ask if the rear TV Axle was sitting on the the rubber snubbers but feared being referred to as one of the "weight police". I had a friend show up to a campground with a smaller 5'er than that. Sitting on snubbers and mentioned a rough ride. Go with the folks that are asking you to use FACTS. Ignore the folks that tell you a 73 Datsun King Cab could pull that rig. Being a bit facetious there, but "facts people" are often ridiculed on this topic. Good luck. Enjoy you new long bed dually.

[mzodarg]

So thanks for all the responses. After looking at the door sticker (2229# with occupants) I can see that I'm over 500-800# When the camper was lowered on the Anderson there was still 6-8" of suspension travel. Someone here mentioned my tuck sitting on the bump stops, really.

I do have some decision to consider but it's not a dooms day issue.

I'm not wanting to get a 1ton at this point but in the end I may have to.


On my initial pull home, the TT was empty and I have yet to get it loaded for a test run. There will be two ATVs (1600#s) in the garage at a minimum.


Mike

[BigRockr]

Are you saying you are over when dry?

[gmacecsko]

I just traded a 2016 Denali CD 2500 Duramax for a 2018 Denali CC 3500 dually. When I purchased our 2018 Ceader Creek 38BFD. The dealer would not let me tow it off the lot with the 2500. And said he would state on the bill of sale they recommend not using the 2500 to tow the trailer. They didn't want the liability the wife agreed! So we have a dually with a payload of 4821.

[spock123]

Originally Posted by gmacecsko

I just traded a 2016 Denali CD 2500 Duramax for a 2018 Denali CC 3500 dually. When I purchased our 2018 Ceader Creek 38BFD. The dealer would not let me tow it off the lot with the 2500. And said he would state on the bill of sale they recommend not using the 2500 to tow the trailer. They didn't want the liability the wife agreed! So we have a dually with a payload of 4821.

I wouldn’t mind having the model you have but I would have to trade my 3500 SRW for a dually.

[DouglasReid]

First of all, Id look at the GVWR difference between a 2500HD and a 3500HD SRW. The only difference between teh two is one overload spring that does not really come into play until you have a heavy load and the tires are larger (to carry a greater load)

to get a 3500HD capacity out of a 2500HD you can use air bags and larger tires. The air bags replace the overload spring on the 3500HD and the tires 285s should do, will get you the weight capacity on the rear axle.

I was VERY surprised to see 3 axles on a trailer weighing only 13000 though. My camper weights 12300 but only 2 axles.

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

First of all, Id look at the GVWR difference between a 2500HD and a 3500HD SRW. The only difference between teh two is one overload spring that does not really come into play until you have a heavy load and the tires are larger (to carry a greater load)

A 1-ton SRW will not have the necessary payload capacity for that 5er.

to get a 3500HD capacity out of a 2500HD you can use air bags and larger tires. The air bags replace the overload spring on the 3500HD and the tires 285s should do, will get you the weight capacity on the rear axle.

That is false and very dangerous advice. Adding or replacing parts will not increase the legal, certified capacity of a vehicle. No air bag company will claim their product will increase payload capacity either because that would be false and they would be assuming liability for any accidents and injuries that happen as a result of someone overloading their vehicle. You cannot legally increase the payload capacity of a truck unless the work is done by someone that can recertify the vehicle in which case they are assuming liability for what they have claimed.

I was VERY surprised to see 3 axles on a trailer weighing only 13000 though. My camper weights 12300 but only 2 axles.

It is a toy hauler with nearly 5,000lb of cargo capacity. Triple axle toy haulers are not uncommon.

[Sierra360PDEK]

At least his trucks not looking like this slightly overloaded F250.

[LegacyFB38]

Originally Posted by Sierra360PDEK

At least his trucks not looking like this slightly overloaded F250.Attachment 172666

THAT is crazy!

[jtesta1]

No suspension enhancements will increase payload capacity. It is what it is .

[BigRockr]

Originally Posted by jtesta1

No suspension enhancements will increase payload capacity. It is what it is .

EXACTLY! Adding an airbag levels the truck or changes the stiffness. They do not ADD capacity. If the weakest link that results in the capacity on your STICKER, happens to be your tires, an airbag does nothing. Adding a leaf wouldn't help that situation either. A salesman will tell you "max" capacities for a sale. I am however impressed with the RV dealer that wouldn't let someone leave with an unsafe TV for a camper. Please share their name. Kudo's too them! We need more like them.

[Ang21]

What happened.?

[rblack22]

Originally Posted by Blackrock

Have loaded out the trailer for traveling yet? I know mine pulled a lot different coming home from the dealer but settled down after I got loaded out. A good set of airbags will take care of a lot of bounce. Don't let the naggers get ya down. Running a truck like that at close to max gvw is what it was built for. Too many people expect their truck to ride and handle just like it does empty vs. hitched up.

Why so cavalier with yours and everyone else’s lives? I pray you don’t tow in my vicinity [emoji17]

[rblack22]

Originally Posted by donanddona

Lots of good advise here. I have pulled my 5r (for over 4000miles) from Chicago to Brownsville TX, and several states in between.

I had Tembrens and added extra leafs to the pack.
- it did stiffen the ride but you don't feel that much in the front seats.
- It's not a if those air bags fail, it's about when.

Not sure what that did for allowable tong weight or cargo weight.
- This is the only difference between the 3/4 ton and the 1 ton super duty.
It did raise the rear to a level pull.

Although the gear ratio and tranny is different, my 6.7 diesel is the same engine used in all Super Duty platforms. 850 foot pounds of torque.

Your 2500 is plenty adequate for your 5r. But you will need to readdress the cargo capacity.

I am literally stunned with some of these responses. Absolutely zero regard for life apparently [emoji17]

[rblack22]

Originally Posted by BigRockr

Are you saying you are over when dry?

He did

[mzodarg]

I'm in the process of trying to work a deal on a 2018 3500 LTZ Longbed. I wasn't prepared to get another truck but I certainly don't want an issues either.

If a new trucks out reach, I'm going to contact dealer and raise hell (not that they care)

More to follow.

Mike

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by mzodarg

I'm in the process of trying to work a deal on a 2018 3500 LTZ Longbed. I wasn't prepared to get another truck but I certainly don't want an issues either.



If a new trucks out reach, I'm going to contact dealer and raise hell (not that they care)



More to follow.



Mike

Good luck, hope it works out in your favor!