How much weight will a 1/2 ton really handle?

[shiftpro]

The most I've had in my bed is about 2500lbs when I hauled a 250 gallon water tank. Since my shocks are a little on the soft side, I did sag quite a bit. The truck handled the weight surprisingly well considering that my humble inline 6 is probably making 70HP at this point. Needless to say, I am not doing this again until I get new shocks.

Shocks do not hold the weight my friend. The springs take the weight.

 

[shiftpro]

I found an ad on Craigslist for free flagstone, you just had to come get it. So I took my 73 C20 and headed up there. It was about 30 miles away on Interstate 5. I loaded the whole 8 foot bed to a few inches from the top of the bed rail. I had Good quality E-rated tires on it but had forgotten to fill them up to 80psi for a full load. They had 35psi in them and by the time I thought to look the tires looked almost flat. I limped it to the corner Gad station and filled them up to 80psi and cruised it the whole way home. It has the HD springs (9 leaf?) and was maybe 2 inches off the bumpstop. I have no idea how much weight it actually was, but it was a LOT.

You must be registered for see images attach

Thanks for your comment and photo. I would have loaded right to the top of the box, behind the cab, and tapered down so as to keep most of the weight in front of the rear wheels. You still would have needed to air up the tires! Nice score, flagstone can be pricey (depending where you live).

 

[Red Rex]

The tires on the truck play a big part in how much should be loaded in it also.

LOW RIDER!

 

[77 K20]

I've been overload a few times. I'm pretty sure the operators at the gravel pits love trying to crush trucks below the weight of their front end loaders.

A friend of mine needed sand for his yard and had no truck. I had a '78 K10 at the time. Sure- I'll help. Just told them a "little" sand. Maybe 1/3 of the bed. WHOOMP! Full load. Wet sand. Not sure the weight but squatted a lot.

Then with my '77 K20 needed some crushed gravel. WHOOMP! 5,500 lbs of gravel. They weigh you empty then loaded and charge accordingly. It actually drove home much better than my 1/2 ton. And at least this time I had load range E tires filled up to 80 psi.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[75gmck25]

I'm surprised by the number of tire places that seem to have no experience with Load Range E tires that are rated to 80 psi.

Every time I have tires replaced I've asked them if they are able to install high pressure valve stems with my E rated tires (vs standard valve stems that are 65 psi max), and I just get a dumb look. I've even had them reply "I don't know where I would get those." A really dumb answer, since they are available from any parts store for about $2-3. Why would a tire dealer not have them if they stock E-rated tires? I've ended up bringing new valve stems in with me.

Bruce

 

[73c20jim]

3500# of railroad ties in my 3/4. Five ties across five high.

E rated 80 # tires.

Drove like a dream. Wife wants me to keep them in the bed all the time because the truck drove so smooth.

 

[80BrownK10]

Shocks do not hold the weight my friend. The springs take the weight.

Air shocks maybe? Spring overload shocks

 

[80BrownK10]

I'm surprised by the number of tire places that seem to have no experience with Load Range E tires that are rated to 80 psi.

Every time I have tires replaced I've asked them if they are able to install high pressure valve stems with my E rated tires (vs standard valve stems that are 65 psi max), and I just get a dumb look. I've even had them reply "I don't know where I would get those." A really dumb answer, since they are available from any parts store for about $2-3. Why would a tire dealer not have them if they stock E-rated tires? I've ended up bringing new valve stems in with me.

Bruce

They must almost never put tires on real trucks??? Most half ton pick-ups these days run E tires.

I put E range tires on my Pontoon trailer this summer after one of the under rated tires got a bubble. (I knew they were under rated and was like that when I got it). It's those little tiny 20" tires . I asked them to out high pressure valve stems in. Sure they said. This is a small town tire shop in a rural town. But they probably do more than a high volume tire store in a big city. BUT as many people drive trucks these days like every other half ton has E rated tires on it if not most from the factory.

 

[shiftpro]

Air shocks maybe? Spring overload shocks

Again, shock mounts are not designed to hold the weight of your truck. Even aggressive driving is too much for them and they pull right out of the frame.
You really want the correct answer...? Overload leaf springs. Plenty of aftermarket choices or grab a set from a junkyard C30 Camper Special.

 

[80BrownK10]

Again, shock mounts are not designed to hold the weight of your truck. Even aggressive driving is too much for them and they pull right out of the frame.
You really want the correct answer...? Overload leaf springs. Plenty of aftermarket choices or grab a set from a junkyard C30 Camper Special.

I'm not saying I have done it or would do it, but many people do.

I agree I would pull springs from a 3/4 ton or use add a leafs.

 

[shiftpro]

I'm not saying I have done it or would do it, but many people do.

I agree I would pull springs from a 3/4 ton or use add a leafs.

And I forgot to mention, air bags rock! They're easier to install than over load springs.

 

[Rusty Nail]

The most I've had in my bed is about 2500lbs when I hauled a 250 gallon water tank. Since my shocks are a little on the soft side, I did sag quite a bit. The truck handled the weight surprisingly well considering that my humble inline 6 is probably making 70HP at this point. Needless to say, I am not doing this again until I get new shocks.

Pix?

You must be registered for see images attach

That's hot. Them trims are bling-bling and it looks sexy AF.