sunofabeach

no, rear axle rating is based on the weakest link of the assembly, which is probably the wheels or tires(my best guess). the axle itself is probably rated for about 5000lbs or more. your best bet is to get under your truck and take a look at the sticker or markings on the axle. you'll be able to get the actual rating of the axle with that.

verendus

Practically speaking, it will be cheaper to buy a new truck then try to increase your payload. But, that doesn't mean that you can not improve the handling of your truck while towing within your reasonable limit. Some people do overload, others stay under the payload spec, but regardless, if you are towing closer to your payload limit, you can improve the safety/handling by beefing up your suspension. For our f150s, I do believe that the weakest links are rear suspension and tires. Upgrading those two would significantly enhance your towing safety.

I've gone through a few options and settled on Roadmaster Active Suspension. It really does improve your rear spring performance without roughing your ride. The next will be to get rid of your P tires and get a decent LT tires rated for D or E. Those two upgrades should afford you the safety/handling characteristics of a truck with about 25% higher payload.

Velosprout

F150 axles are rated at 4800 pounds rear even with the Heavy Duty Payload Package and 4050 pounds front axle. Heavy Duty Payload 7-lug wheels (2014) are rated at 2400 pounds each. HDPP tires (B.F. Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A LT245/75R17 E) are rated for 3195 pounds each for single wheels at 80 P.S.I cold. The 2015/2016 HDPP specs are similar. The only difference on the 2015/16's is that the GVWR is 7580 pounds vs. the 2014 8200 pound GVWR. Since the aluminum truck itself is lighter, the new lower GVWR doesn't result in a lower net payload (when any of them finally get built).

I agree with Verendus that the best way to increase payload is to trade trucks.


To address the original question, the purpose of overload or helper springs is to mitigate the symptoms of an overloaded truck. The truck is still overloaded, but the symptoms of sagging and poor handling are reduced.


I doubt if you can find many aftermarket 1/2 ton pickup wheels rated for higher weight capacity, as most aftermarket wheels and tires are sold primarily for just the looks, not for either weight carrying capacity or for highway performance. TireRack doesn't even post the weight capacity of their wheels.

sunofabeach

I think you misunderstood what I meant. the individual components have a certain rating. Ford gives a rating of 4800lbs for the rear axle of HDPP F150. that does not mean the rear axle itself can only carry that much, it means either the wheels or the spring pack is the part that is rated to carry 2400lbs per side. upgrade either of those and you could carry more.


legally, yes.




Actually, most truck wheels are rated to about 2500lbs with many going up to 2800 and even 3000lbs.

CowboyWill

Incorrect... i cannot buy a new truck for cheaper then what is to upgrade mine. But you correct about beefing up ur suspension.

For example, 4" Rancho Lift kit and 35" 6 ply tires$5000ish, upgrade rear end $2000ish, add leaf, bags, etc. Another $1-2000. Even if i hit 10grand in upgrades, Pretty sure a new truck will cost me $40grand. Just sayin is all

So lets say for argument sake, your axle is rated for 5000+#s, and after all the upgrades you now have 3000# payload. Your biggest concern is going to be your transmission and will it handle all that weight without shelling it out or burning it up.

No manufacturer sets the trucks up to push the limit as they leave the factory. This is their, "recommended operating recommendations". Not what the truck can actually handle.

Since i have recently found myself needing to tow a 9000# pound trailer with a 900# tongue wieght. And a F250 PSD is not in my near futue, so my 09 F150 will have to do. Luckily i have the HD tow package, but a 3.55 rear end (special order). I have done most of the upgrades, except a new rear end. The smartest thing I've done in my opinion is get a SCT Tuner and install a tow tune in ur truck. This will program ur tranny to support more load to haul and ensure you don't burn up ur transmission. Some will disagree with me on this.

All that being said, you will an and will cause more wear and tear and all those parts. So you have to be smart about it! Go to a performance shop that deals with off road suspension, diesels and gas trucks. Talk to them and see what will best meet your needs.

Velosprout

You assume it is just a limiting spring pack, wheels, or tires, but it could well be the truck frame, hitch, cross members, etc. Why else would the HDPP truck use a heavier-gauge steel frame than the standard-duty truck? You can't upgrade the frame economically.

Velosprout

A lift kit does nothing to boost payload, but in fact reduces it. The additional weight counts against your net payload, and nothing accomplishes an increase.


6 ply tires are not what is called for...what we used to call 10 ply, with an E load rating, is what will be useful in towing more or hauling more with a stiffer sidewall and rating to 80 psi. They will cost you $800 to $1100+ mounted and balanced; not $500ish.


An additional leaf spring or overload spring, or air bags, do increase capacity, but don't increase posted payload, reduce trade-in value, and in your example, you still would have an 8 year old truck with probably 125,000 miles or more on it that will need to be replaced in about 5 more years. The $10k in upgrades might be more economically applied to a low-mileage newer truck in the $30k range with the specs you need already built with about 11 or 12 years of useful life left.

PerryB

Helper springs do only one thing, reduce the amount of suspension squat for a given amount of applied load. Speculation and wishful thinking aside, they do exactly nothing to increase "payload" or "capacity".

Velosprout

We are saying the same thing. Overload springs do increase the capacity to carry cargo (payload) without shining the headlights at the stars. It does not increase the rated payload figure or GVWR, and is a poor option compared to using the proper truck in the first place.

PerryB

Oh I agree with you completely. I have Firestone ride-rites on my 150 because I have a few hundred pounds of tools in the back and often pull a trailer that puts another 200 or so on the ball. The airbags prevent the truck from having a saggy rear end. That privelege is being reserved for the driver.