Can I Beef Up My Truck for Heavier Payload?

[gladehound]

2000 lbs barely takes the stutters out of the rear. Mine doesn't have overloads but the heavy spring package. I have though about pulling a few leaves and adding airbags, I have a pair of 1500 lb each rated bags sitting on the shelf.

If you seriously want to do something about the rear, I've had air bags with light spring but they didn't ride half as nice as my current springs. I don't have overloads. They are just a 4+1 spring pack rated at 3,600 each (7,200 for the pair). I highly recommend them and if you are serious about changing the rear springs I can call the shop where I got them and find out who makes them. Even empty the rear soaks up bumps like a baja racer! Empty it has 6 " of travel. With 4,000 pounds in the bed it still has 3 inches of travel to the bump stops.

 

[Haoleguy]

Thanks again for the followup discussions. It has helped me solidify what I will do in the short term and how to plan for the longer term. At this time I will purchase a used 330gal IBC tank($60-100) and do a partial fill to keep me under 1600 lbs for the 4 mile trip. I can then forklift the load off the truck and place near the vegetable garden at which time I will hookup a 12v or gas powered water pump to delivery the water to soaker hoses. With the tank, better tie down system, pump & fittings, and hoses I will be in it for about $350. The tank and pump will be usable with a small trailer that I will start looking for on the used market. Most inexpensive small trailers cannot do anything beyond what I currently can do. When you get to the 3-6K GVWR trailers they are a bit pricey new. The water buffalo/water dogs are great ideas and if the price is right I might spring for one of those. The Kiser and Wylie dedicated water trailer ideas are well built but a bit pricier than I can spring for at this time. Thanks again.

 

[crazyal]

I would look for a used boat trailer. It's not going to have brakes but for the weight you'll be pulling, flat ground, and the distance you're not going to need them. Around here a non galvy trailer would be a few hundred.

 

[aczlan]

The tank and pump will be usable with a small trailer that I will start looking for on the used market. Most inexpensive small trailers cannot do anything beyond what I currently can do. When you get to the 3-6K GVWR trailers they are a bit pricey new. The water buffalo/water dogs are great ideas and if the price is right I might spring for one of those. The Kiser and Wylie dedicated water trailer ideas are well built but a bit pricier than I can spring for at this time. Thanks again.

Sounds like a good idea. On my local Craigslist you will occasionally see a 3k 6x10 (or so) landscape trailer for $3-500, but you have to be looking for one. Another good one to watch for is a used roller trailer. Heavy single axle tilt deck trailer. They sometimes go for similar prices.

Aaron Z

 

[Haoleguy]

Crazyal - Thanks for the suggestion. I had briefly looked into boat trailers but I found they tend to be long when looking for a payload >2500 lbs. The other point which you mentioned was that brakes tend to not be installed for corrosion reasons. Since I live in a boating community(neighbor is a boat hauler) I will keep an eye out for one in case the right fit comes along....Thanks, Gary

 

[Haoleguy]

Sounds like a good idea. On my local Craigslist you will occasionally see a 3k 6x10 (or so) landscape trailer for $3-500, but you have to be looking for one. Another good one to watch for is a used roller trailer. Heavy single axle tilt deck trailer. They sometimes go for similar prices.

Aaron Z

Aaron - My thoughts exactly on the 6x10 size. Most landscape trailers I've seen on Craigslist/Ebay are light duty and tend to not go much above 2K pounds GVWR. As you said you have to be actively looking for one to catch the right opportunity. Thanks.