Sleddeck on half ton

[polarisfornow]

Close. 4x4 Tradesman. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Ram#Payload_capacities Most these decks run around that 400lbs. Depending on the sled, I say 550 max x 2 = 1100 lbs + 400 = 1500lb payload. And if your splitting hairs over a few hundred pounds you best not see what people that use pickups to haul and work with do with there trucks.....

I love a person that quotes wikipedia for anything. how bout this instead http://www.ramtrucks.com/shared/pdf/2012_RAM_1500_4x4_Trailer_Tow_Chart.pdf

you're looking at a best case scenario. I'm looking at a more average scenario. hence I included driver and passenger and gear.

and as a contractor I've overloaded my truck every time I've towed with it. but its prob never gone more than 2 or 3 miles from jobsite to jobsite FWIW.

i just think people should have a real world expectation of what they are doing. not a best case situation.

 

[JSCC]

I don't think any of us would be too concerned about overloading our trucks by a couple hundred pounds of properly placed load.

However, move that load approx 3' higher & rearward of where the truck was designed to carry it..........not a good idea.

Sure driving straight everything will be fine, but that improperly placed load will screw you hard when things get hairy.

Ah so should we be comparing doing this with just a half ton long bed vs short bed? There I can see the difference.

 

[JSCC]

I love a person that quotes wikipedia for anything. how bout this instead http://www.ramtrucks.com/shared/pdf/2012_RAM_1500_4x4_Trailer_Tow_Chart.pdf

you're looking at a best case scenario. I'm looking at a more average scenario. hence I included driver and passenger and gear.

and as a contractor I've overloaded my truck every time I've towed with it. but its prob never gone more than 2 or 3 miles from jobsite to jobsite FWIW.

i just think people should have a real world expectation of what they are doing. not a best case situation.

I am glad you talk about me in the third person.
And now you state you overload your truck nearly every time you haul with it but it's ok because it's you and you only go 2-3 miles....
I personally would not have a single issue or concern puting 1500 or more pounds on the back of a newer half ton. But thanks for sharing you concern.

 

[Mafesto]

Ah so should we be comparing doing this with just a half ton long bed vs short bed? There I can see the difference.

Anyone who has operated a forklift knows that you wouldn't travel with your forks raised with even half of your rated load.
Therefore it's really easy to understand that it would be unwise to do so with 100% or more of load.

I have no fancy diploma stating any accomplishments in physics, yet I fully grasp the effects moving loads away from load center.

People come on here and ask the same question several times a year.
Many people answer with facts and stats, but usually people only listen to the answer that they want to hear.
I'm sorry if pisses you off that I think it's irresponsible when giving advice to steer anyone away from the safe way of doing something.

 

[Mountaintech]

do any of you guys that run half tons and sled decks check with your ins agent first on if you're covered during an accident?

this was brought up in a thread on hcs and I looked into before I got one for my half ton dodge.

My agent, state farm btw, said if you are over your gvwr and are in an accident you are not covered. period. end of story.

think about it guys.

X2. This is the bottom line. Forget about "payload capacity". It all boils down to GVWR. If you weigh more than your GVWR ( total of vehicle,fuel, payload,passengers etc ) and something happens you have no excuses. Know what your vehicle weighs and what you can legally load it to. An '03-07 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 QC Cummins weighs 7900lbs with a driver and full tank of fuel. Its GVWR is 9000lbs. Do the math.

 

[JSCC]

Anyone who has operated a forklift knows that you wouldn't travel with your forks raised with even half of your rated load.
Therefore it's really easy to understand that it would be unwise to do so with 100% or more of load.

I have no fancy diploma stating any accomplishments in physics, yet I fully grasp the effects moving loads away from load center.

People come on here and ask the same question several times a year.
Many people answer with facts and stats, but usually people only listen to the answer that they want to hear.
I'm sorry if pisses you off that I think it's irresponsible when giving advice to steer anyone away from the safe way of doing something.

While I actually agree with you on your original statement, I have no clue wtf you are talking about here! Where and how did you take that I was pissed at your statement?
As to your forklift analogy.... What if you take said forklift and add stabilizers to it to up the capacity?

 

[Mountaintech]

As to your forklift analogy.... What if you take said forklift and add stabilizers to it to up the capacity?

A forklift is about as stable as it gets if you're comparing it to a road going vehicle. It has no suspension and very stiff, if not solid tires.

 

[ippielb]

I have a home made sled deck on my 2002 silverado 1500, it is lifted 9". Just have one sled on it right now but to be honest I never really noticed anything different. Except that the back end dropped around an inch. I am going to get air bags though. And as sated above. Separate the bags lines. If you have them I sam line our basically eliminating one of the main features of the bags!

 

[JSCC]

A forklift is about as stable as it gets if you're comparing it to a road going vehicle. It has no suspension and very stiff, if not solid tires.

This is very true. I am trying to make the comparison using his analogy that once you add stabilizers if needed, or air bags or overloads, the added weight has been overcome by adding additional equipment, if needed. Probably not the best comparison but?

 

[Mafesto]

I used the forklift analogy to illustrate the effect that raising the load has on handling.

This is going to sound condescending (sorry for that), but do you really not understand that raising the load has negative effects on handling?

If anyone else can come up with a better analogy, please chime in.

 

[JSCC]

I do get it. But do you not understand that they make items that you can install to combat the issue?
Should campers be outlawed as well since it raises the center of gravity? Or how about lift kits on trucks?

 

[Mountaintech]

I do get it. But do you not understand that they make items that you can install to combat the issue?
Should campers be outlawed as well since it raises the center of gravity? Or how about lift kits on trucks?

I think he does understand, and his point is well taken. Using things to "combat" the weight issue (like air bags or load levelers) do not make that weight go away, or make the truck more legal. All they do is stiffen the rear suspension of the truck some to make it more stable.Weight further away from the center of gravity will bite you in the *** much faster than low well placed weight But here's the thing. It's not about the ****ing suspension. Somewhere there has to be limits. The manufacturers and govt have set those limits. They are listed for every truck.....in every truck. It comes down to GVWR. Understand that!!! It comes down to the axle weight bearing limits, not just the springs, or tires you have. Nor does putting on air bags, etc. up the capacity. The axle weight bearing limits are determined by axle design....ie. full floating or not, brake size, and most importantly, WHEEL BEARING SIZE!! In the words of Fletch....it's all about ball bearings. The entire weight of the vehicle is riding on 4 sets of wheel bearings. Exceed that limit and you're on your own. And for your information, most truck/camper packages out there are overweight.

 

[Mafesto]

I do get it. But do you not understand that they make items that you can install to combat the issue?
Should campers be outlawed as well since it raises the center of gravity? Or how about lift kits on trucks?

Legal or not legal, I could really care less honestly.

This is the last time I'm going to say this in this thread.......
If you raise your load it will adversely affect your handling.
If you move your load further away from center (rearward) it will adversely affect your handling.
If you do both it will adversely affect your handling.

Now, doing this on a truck which is not designed for that load even if is properly placed is less than intelligent to put it nicely.
Keep in mind the origin of this thread was one seeking advice.

Not likely, but how would you feel if someone did this because you posted it was ok, & they had a bad accident?

I don't always drive in a proper manner, but I won't come on here & say it's perfectly safe for others to do so.

That's all I'm trying to say here.

 

[polarisfornow]

Legal or not legal, I could really care less honestly.

This is the last time I'm going to say this in this thread.......
If you raise your load it will adversely affect your handling.
If you move your load further away from center (rearward) it will adversely affect your handling.
If you do both it will adversely affect your handling.

Now, doing this on a truck which is not designed for that load even if is properly placed is less than intelligent to put it nicely.
Keep in mind the origin of this thread was one seeking advice.

Not likely, but how would you feel if someone did this because you posted it was ok, & they had a bad accident?

I don't always drive in a proper manner, but I won't come on here & say it's perfectly safe for others to do so.

That's all I'm trying to say here.

Couldn't agree more... I always assume that the people asking the question do not drive as safe or have the experience that I do. Because of the anonymity of the internet people that have no vested interest in the party asking the question will give all kinds of answers. But what happens when the person yard sales the truck down a mountain road?
All the people that said its fine will have but one useless thing to say... "man that sucks"

 

[JSCC]

Couldn't agree more... I always assume that the people asking the question do not drive as safe or have the experience that I do. Because of the anonymity of the internet people that have no vested interest in the party asking the question will give all kinds of answers. But what happens when the person yard sales the truck down a mountain road?
All the people that said its fine will have but one useless thing to say... "man that sucks"

This is true and I never have thought of it that way.
I take people as normally smart enough to decipher between right and wrong. Usually it seems like common sense to me but it may not be to others.

 

[polarisfornow]

This is true and I never have thought of it that way.
I take people as normally smart enough to decipher between right and wrong. Usually it seems like common sense to me but it may not be to others.

I don't doubt that yourself or for that matter most people on the forum are prob capable of handling an overloaded vehicle or just about anything that is thrown at them. I've just seen a lot of "adults" that are not smart enough on their own it seems like.

I'm definitely not flaming you and enjoy these kinds of open conversations. In fact I am glad that we have an open forum where people can share their experiences and viewpoints.

 

[JSCC]

I think he does understand, and his point is well taken. Using things to "combat" the weight issue (like air bags or load levelers) do not make that weight go away, or make the truck more legal. All they do is stiffen the rear suspension of the truck some to make it more stable.Weight further away from the center of gravity will bite you in the *** much faster than low well placed weight But here's the thing. It's not about the ****ing suspension. Somewhere there has to be limits. The manufacturers and govt have set those limits. They are listed for every truck.....in every truck. It comes down to GVWR. Understand that!!! It comes down to the axle weight bearing limits, not just the springs, or tires you have. Nor does putting on air bags, etc. up the capacity. The axle weight bearing limits are determined by axle design....ie. full floating or not, brake size, and most importantly, WHEEL BEARING SIZE!! In the words of Fletch....it's all about ball bearings. The entire weight of the vehicle is riding on 4 sets of wheel bearings. Exceed that limit and you're on your own. And for your information, most truck/camper packages out there are overweight.

I somehow missed your comment. I will just tell you a fact. All truck axles are rated for more capacity than the vehicle manufacturers give them. They are derated to fit the trucks capabilities. Look it up.