Okay, I've asked about getting bags or springs in my '88 F250 to up my payload, and I've settled on springs. It's a work truck and don't really care about a rough ride. Now my problem is that the GVWR on the truck is 4,000 KG (that's 8,800 pounds for all you south of the 49th.) The tare weight of the vehicle is about 2,710 KG, which leaves a payload of 1,290 KG (2,838 pounds). Which is only about 1.25 yards of soil, rock or gravel. I would like to carry a little more than that, is there any way to up the GVWR with a heavier axle or something or should I save up for a used F450?

 

just a thought, but have you considered going with a gooseneck trailer to do the heavy hauling and be able to use truck without beating yourself up in the ride? i know it would be cheaper to go with the springs to boost the truck capacity, but a fifth wheel would get way more load plus handle better in the process also cheaper than a f-450. LOL
speedrdr

 

I've thought about getting a trailer to hook up to my truck, I have a class 3 hitch and tow package so it's a possibility. But, I'm wondering if it's more expensive to upgrade the truck or to buy a trailer. I would rather upgrade the truck.

 

You need a 350 minimum 10,000 gvw...... a 450 would be better yet.....

 

You have to be able to stop. If you are going to beef up anything it would be the brakes.

 

The turck has the heavy duty brake package, dual piston caliper fronts and 3" rear drums. And they've just been worked on. Is it possible to put a rear axle from a F350 or F450 and yeild the same results? That way I can also get duallies, he he he.

 

Tires are often the determining factor in GVW rating; load rating "E" is the max I have seen for single rears. Had them on a 1-ton chevy 4x4 with 9300 GVW

 

The axle you have now is what would be under an F350.
Increased brake power can be had by switching to a hydraboost system that works off the power steering pump.

The cost to swap to hydraboost will be almost 500 dollars.

Different power steering pump, a couple hoses and the hydraboost unit that replaces the vacuum booster on your truck.

I have no idea how the laws in Canada work.
Here in WV you can license your truck for what ever gross weight you want to, but you pay more for the tags.
I am licensed for 20,000 pounds gross at about 5 times the rate I would pay for 8800 pound plates.
Insurance cost also takes a big jump when you license for heavy weights.

When the state DOT checks your weight, they look at the registration, not the door sticker.

A local quarry here was sued for overloading a truck last year that was involved in an accident, cost them 3 million dollars.
Now they check the registration on every truck that comes in the yard.
There was a fellow with an F350 there wanting a ton of rock, but his registration only let him load 1500 pounds.
Here I am with my F250 and go out of the yard with 5000 pounds on my truck and could have loaded more if I wanted it.
I have left that yard with 9700 pounds on my truck before which put my gross around 18,000 pounds.

You need to check with the local juristiction about how much you can haul legally and how you need to go about it.

 

well it is the same here in NC but i have pondered the thought of extenting the frame and make mine a tandem truck but it is just a brain fart at this time

 

Works the same here in NY.

 

John there is actually a member that was here that had installed a tag axle under the rear of his truck.
He hauled a camper a good bit.
Right now I do not remember who it was, but I did have a picture of his rig.
He did a very good job with the sheet metal on the bed, the truck looked like the second rear axle was supposed to be there.

I also have this picture of a tandem axle Ford.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=32398&width=2

May not want to open that link with the wife standing over your shoulder even though the model is far away and the picture is grainy.

 

There is a higher load then an E in this size of tire but they are very expensive and then you would be wondering about your rims.

 

Fish,

You have one up on me. What tire of this size has a higher load rating?

 

Tires, load range H over 6000 pounds per single tire, 285/75-19.5, cost 379.00 plus each. Over 35 inches tall.
http://www.ricksontruck.com/tires_28570R195.html

Wheels, chrome plated steel rated at 5000 pound each, 19.5" x 7.5" are 379.72 each.
http://www.ricksontruck.com/wheels_ford_srw.html

So for about 3000 dollars plus shipping you can have some heavy duty tires and wheels.
Go for powder coated wheels and you save about 400 dollars.

 

Good information, thanks I had not considered the large tires for the truck at the time, it was a camp truck for the Boy Scouts.