jaykellogg
Absent Comrade
I once had a 1961 F100 that I loaded 10 railroad ties into. Six cylinder three speed 6½ foot bed. I drove 90 miles with the frame on the snubbers of the rear axle. Didn't seem to hurt the truck at all.
F-150 Cargo load help
- Thread starter Realzebub45
- Start date
charlie sherrill
Member
When the maker puts a load limit on a vehicle it's for legal reasons and gets them off the hook if you carry more than that and something happens. I've always fudged a little without any problems. Years ago I had a HD 1967 F-250 Ford pickup with a 300 six, HD tranny with granny gear forward and reverse and a 410 rear end. It was a beater painted four different colors and had no power nothing. I used it mostly to haul firewood and junk iron and it did a good job. I tore down a house in Beaumont, Ms. to build a barn with the lumber 70 miles away from where I lived at the time. My neighbor was a dairy farmer and he had a homemade trailer with three house trailer axles under it that he used to haul large loads of round baled hay. He loaned me the trailer. I loaded the whole house on the trailer and pickup and stacked up to the roof in the bed of the truck and higher than that on the trailer and started home. I did OK at first as I had to drive slow until I got to the highway. After I got on the highway I found that if I got over 35 MPH the front end of the truck would come off the ground. I had to slow down gently to keep from slamming the front end on the ground and blowing the tires. I had good HD tires all the way around so no problem there, but it did take me a while to get home. Several troopers passed me on the way. I still don't know why I didn't get stopped for being overloaded. I also found that while stopped at a light I could make the old truck stand up a few feet off the ground and hold it there until I got ready to move again. I think I impressed a lot of people one way or another. I did manage to get everything home except for a few pieces that fell off. I wouldn't do it again.
gregintenn
Member
With a heavy load on a modern pickup, stopping is a much larger concern than the truck pulling the load.
OP
Realzebub45
Member
Well, I have to admit it's high speed highway characteristics were affected a smidge. I just cruised the speed limit and left plenty of room for slow stops. Left her in Tow/Haul and that managed the gear shifts a little better. Funny, the truck bounced around like a low rider when the forklift was maneuvering the load off the bed. 
Always forget how powerful those things are.
Always forget how powerful those things are.
gregintenn
Member
I bought a 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive Dodge new in 93. You know, the old square body with the straight front axle like the built for years?
Anyway, that thing rode like it had no suspension. Once, I had a few potholes in the driveway, and time on my hands, so I drove down to the creek and loaded my bed rounded over full of creek gravel with a shovel.
That was the only time I remember that truck riding good. I'm sure it was waaaaaaay over weight, but it rode like a luxury car.
Those were heavy duty trucks indeed.
Anyway, that thing rode like it had no suspension. Once, I had a few potholes in the driveway, and time on my hands, so I drove down to the creek and loaded my bed rounded over full of creek gravel with a shovel.
That was the only time I remember that truck riding good. I'm sure it was waaaaaaay over weight, but it rode like a luxury car.
Those were heavy duty trucks indeed.
Doug M.
Member
There are several issues that can impact the rated capacity. One is the ability of the engine/tranny combination to generate enough useable power. Most of the time in light trucks (pickups), the higher GVWR/GCWR comes with an automatic transmission because so there is far less risk of an inept driver doing damage. The carrying capacity of the suspension and tires is a big variable, of course. Another issue is the ability of the steering, and more important the brakes, to handle the load.
I regularly see people who got crummy advise somewhere pulling trailers or carrying truck campers on pickups that are far too light. If you are going to just use it as a daily driver, do what appeals to you. If you are at all serious, get the biggest, most carefully and heavily spec'd truck you can. There are many reasons for the growing trend toward buying used Class 8 trucks to pull RVs - engine, suspension, and brakes are among them. If you know what you are doing, you can get a good used semi-tractor for less than a pickup appropriate to that use, and be a LOT safer. And for pete's sake, if you pull a trailer, use a 5th wheel. Ball hitches, even with load equalizing systems, suck to a serious extent. The pivot point is all wrong for the combination, leading to serious safety hazards, and without the trailer, the ball probably blocks your rear license plate, which is a sure way to get a ticket.
I regularly see people who got crummy advise somewhere pulling trailers or carrying truck campers on pickups that are far too light. If you are going to just use it as a daily driver, do what appeals to you. If you are at all serious, get the biggest, most carefully and heavily spec'd truck you can. There are many reasons for the growing trend toward buying used Class 8 trucks to pull RVs - engine, suspension, and brakes are among them. If you know what you are doing, you can get a good used semi-tractor for less than a pickup appropriate to that use, and be a LOT safer. And for pete's sake, if you pull a trailer, use a 5th wheel. Ball hitches, even with load equalizing systems, suck to a serious extent. The pivot point is all wrong for the combination, leading to serious safety hazards, and without the trailer, the ball probably blocks your rear license plate, which is a sure way to get a ticket.
doublesharp
Member
If your going to overload often check into Timbren load levelers.
Timbren SES - Timbren Industries Inc. Ride Control Products
Timbren SES - Timbren Industries Inc. Ride Control Products
OP
Realzebub45
Member
Thanks Doublesharp, I remember seeing some kind of system like that on the "Trucks" show with Stacy David (I think that's his name). I have a Truck modification type business about 1-1/2 miles away from me. I will have to stop in.
I'll work on my guns, but won't mess with plumbing, electrical box or my own suspension.
I carried a genset @ 1250+ and hardly noticed it in the old 2000 F150, my new one feels stiffer, has bigger wheels/tires.
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