I have to pick up some building materials that are ~1700 lbs. I see the payload rating on my truck is 2100 lbs so it's within the rating specs. Just wondering if people usually load up their beds up to the max or if I have the option to use a trailer (which I do) would it be a better idea not to load it that much for the springs & rear shocks. I've hauled 1000 lbs before and there was some pretty good squat, haven't tried 1700+ before.

 

While 2100lbs is pretty stout payload capacity, I'd put that kind of load, wear & tear on the trailer every time.

My .02

 

I have loaded mine to capacity a time or two. However, I don't do it routinely, nor for long distance drives.

 

Depending on passenger weight and anything else added into the truck it's going to be a bit under, close, or over. If you have access to a trailer, it'd be worth it as you'd have a much larger margin. You'll probably only need 300-400 lbs of capacity in the truck that way which is well within spec.

 

 

It's likely that your payload is not 2,100 pounds. Why do I say that?

First, payloads aren't usually even numbers. That immediately caught my eye.

Second, you have an FX-4. FX-4s don't have 2,100 pound payloads,

Read your doorjamb sticker. I suspect your payload is much lower than 2,100, probably below 1,700, so you need to use a trailer.

 

How high is your trailer bed? How high is your truck bed?
How high do you want to lift 1700 lbs of cargo?
For ergonomics sake, I'd probably opt for a trailer.
Just because your truck can handle a certain payload doesn't mean it's always the best choice to put it in the truck.

 

My 15 FX4 was 2100 on the door. My 18 fx4 is an even 1900 on the door.

 

You're right, looks like 1774 lbs total payload .

 

So, unless the mods that you did to your truck have zero weight, and you only weigh 74 pounds, you shouldn't be loading 1,700 pounds of lumber into your bed.

Of course, driving very slow with your hazards on, a few miles to your house, is often done by everyone once or twice.

If you have a trailer you should use it.