Is it possible to upgrade suspension to improve towing/weight capacity?

[McTickleStick]

Have a 2020 1500 Bighorn, 4x2, 5.7 Hemi and 3.92 axle ratio so i can haul some good weight right now but I do have a toy hauler that I believe is near maximum as far as tongue weight and rear axle capacity. Can I upgrade the suspension to allow for more payload/ tongue weight ?

 

[LaxDfns15]

Yes, buy a 2500. Air bags help, but they are only intended to help support, not do all the work. It also doesn't change the weight on your rear axle.

 

[McTickleStick]

Yes, buy a 2500. Air bags help, but they are only intended to help support, not do all the work. It also doesn't change the weight on your rear axle.

Is that a suspension type or do you mean a 2500 Model Truck? (Yea, I'm an idiot with cars)

 

[LaxDfns15]

Yes a 3/4 ton truck. Overloading your half ton truck because you bought too big of a trailer (or didn't buy a big enough truck) is a recipe for disaster. Not only for you, but anyone else you happen to run into. You can have the best, strongest suspension in the rear to handle 2 tons of payload, but your axle is still your half ton truck axle. Your driveshaft and brakes are still built for a half ton truck.

 

[ktl5005]

What the above said is correct. Sounds like you need a 2500 which is a bigger truck, heavier duty axle and he’s over duty suspension to be able to handle more weight.

 

[Han Ridge]

If you mean allowed as in your liability if you exceed your ratings, no. Your vehicles rating was carved in stone the moment your Vin number was assigned and there is no modification you can make that will change those numbers.

 

[McTickleStick]

This is what I got from the CAT scale. I am within the total weight but just concerned about the drive axle. From what you can see, am I in range?

 

[devildodge]

@McTickleStick
Post your door jamb stickers.

I am not sure off hand what the 2wd GAWR is...but a 4x4 is 4100 for rear and 3900 front.

You are over gross axle rating. That is not safe and even the load it till it bends guys will have to agree with that
You need a HeavyDuty.

Your GCWR is 17000, so that is the only number you didnt exceed.

Do you have WDH properly set up?

If you don't and can get that 260 pounds back to the front maybe you will be better off, but still too close for comfort.

I am not sure what base weight is on the 2wd front axle. But my guess is you took alot of weight off of it.

You need to weigh just the truck and see how far you have lowered the steer axle and increased the drive.

Also. Your GVWR is 6900...you are way iver that too.

Let me know some more info, but you are dangerously overloaded as it sits

 

[brian42]

If you mean allowed as in your liability if you exceed your ratings, no. Your vehicles rating was carved in stone the moment your Vin number was assigned and there is no modification you can make that will change those numbers.

In addition to the overall safety of your setup, you can be cited for being over your limits.

 

[devildodge]

I just noticed you said it is a toy hauler. Is this with something in the garage?

We try to tell people all the time, max towing is not attainable unless you have 300lbs of cargo and 10% tongue weight. A toy hauler has much more than 10% tongue weight

 

[ktl5005]

What does the yellow sticker say on your door jam? I can tell you that’s a bit over in my Limited.

 

[ktl5005]

There are very few toy haulers that could be towed by a 1/2 ton truck within Limits and then you would need a stripped down version of the truck to get the max towing possible. Seems like you don’t like our answers but realistically, safely, and within the law you should be in a 2500 more than likely.

 

[devildodge]

So 3700 is steer and 4100 is rear and GVWR is 6900. GCWR is 17000.

Base axle weight front is 29xx and rear is 21xx...but this is a no optioned truck

 

[McTickleStick]

There are very few toy haulers that could be towed by a 1/2 ton truck within Limits and then you would need a stripped down version of the truck to get the max towing possible. Seems like you don’t like our answers but realistically, safely, and within the law you should be in a 2500 more than likely.

Not the case at all ktl5005, I appreciate all the input in fact. I just had to duck out for some work and got back to the posts. I am going to go post the door sticker, but it seems I need to consider upgrading..but I just bought this one.. so we will have to figure that out LOL

 

[McTickleStick]

Here are the door stickers for reference


Trailer is 7180 dry weight and i DO use a WDH

 

[devildodge]

Base weight 5179. Chart is pretty close for your truck.

As you can see you are well over the rear axle rating. This means you are well overloaded as a whole.

I wish I had took a pic, for these circumstances...but 2 yeara ago we saw a guy towing a 5th wheel...a big one, not a 1/2 ton towable. It was being towed with a Nissan Titan. Who knows how many trips they made...but this trip, the wheel studs sheared off. That is what you are looking at happening here.

If, and a big IF, you could decrease the tongue weight by having something in the garage and then adjusting the WDH to get it back to the front axle.

But, this would be a one time tow...YOU NEED A bigger truck or a different trailer. Probably even just a non toy hauler.

 

[McTickleStick]

Thank you Devil... got some thinking to do this weekend..

 

[Mtsabo]

The WDH will shift weight in both directions off the drive axel. Cargo in the garage will help. Get everything set up properly and pull it, as long as you feel comfortable. Thats what I'd do anyhow.

 

[devildodge]

The WDH will shift weight in both directions off the drive axel. Cargo in the garage will help. Get everything set up properly and pull it, as long as you feel comfortable. Thats what I'd do anyhow.

If he can get the weight to the trailer and steer axle I agree with You.

3700 and 4100 is 7800 or 900 over the 6900 GVWR. I do not feel the 7480 he is at gross is as big a deal as the 260 he is over axle. If he could get 400 pounds back to the front, steering and braking would be better.

Not, sure on his towing experience...but I am not sure this will be a fun drive. And, I am back to suggesting a Heavy Duty or a non tow hauler.

 

[McTickleStick]

If he can get the weight to the trailer and steer axle I agree with You.

3700 and 4100 is 7800 or 900 over the 6900 GVWR. I do not feel the 7480 he is at gross is as big a deal as the 260 he is over axle. If he could get 400 pounds back to the front, steering and braking would be better.

Not, sure on his towing experience...but I am not sure this will be a fun drive. And, I am back to suggesting a Heavy Duty or a non tow hauler.

There is a lot of stuff in the front under-storage of the trailer that I could simply load into the garage and would give me better distribution back to the trailer axle, but I wouldn't really know how to get weight to the drive axle? I do have a lot of trailer/towing experience but the TH is the largest item I have towed over distance.

We did a trip last weekend from So Cal out to the AZ border (about 300 miles each way) and it drove smooth and I had no issues (even with high wind). That was where I weighed it to get a good understanding.

I believe a vehicle upgrade to the 2500 is the way to go. Solves all the issues and gives me room for toys for the toy hauler LOL. Wonder how the dealer will treat me LMAO