Tundra payload

[Bobbo]

One source of confusion here is some people are talking payload CAPACITY and others are talking payload RATING. You can, indeed, increase payload capacity, but the truck's payload rating will not change because of that.

[pteck]

Originally Posted by r carl

So how would you increase an axle rating?

Rating is a guideline.

The axle rating commonly has more capacity when compared to payload. So that already helps us out.

Going beyond axle rating within reason is fine as it's generally conservative. There are population out there like overlanders and upfitters that regularly way exceed axle ratings and it has proven still durable.

[AlinCal]

Originally Posted by r carl

So how would you increase an axle rating?

Jeep guys do it like this...

[billrector]

Originally Posted by pteck

You should get out more.



I'm telling you it does change the effective payload handling capacity. You're conflating regulation, which is very hard and expensive to navigate to certify for larger payloads, vs engineering ability to augment for more effective payload.



Upfitters do this all the time and are able to engineer (often just springs and perhaps 3rd member ratio) and certify for higher payloads.



As an extreme example. Consider the armored car upfitters. They often take regular SUVs and trucks to almost 4tons. Upfitters like these do it all the time.



We're giving you a hint at what can be done.

I should get out more....nice way to start a conversation!

If course you can increase payload if you are willing to beef up the frame, increase the suspension and change the axles. If you want to, you can turn and F150 into a tank. What was discussed was changing springs and adding airbags. Those do not increase payload though they may make the vehicle drive better.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by billrector

I should get out more....nice way to start a conversation!

If course you can increase payload if you are willing to beef up the frame, increase the suspension and change the axles. If you want to, you can turn and F150 into a tank. What was discussed was changing springs and adding airbags. Those do not increase payload though they may make the vehicle drive better.

Ummmm...yes they do. You can add leafs to a spring and the truck will carry more. Same thing with air bags. You can exceed the payload limits using air bags to level the truck.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by billrector

Of course you can increase payload if you are willing to beef up the frame, increase the suspension and change the axles. If you want to, you can turn and F150 into a tank. What was discussed was changing springs and adding airbags. Those do not increase payload though they may make the vehicle drive better.

That is the right line of thinking. Now check whether the same model as you are looking to increase capacity on is available with a heavier GVW, and see what the differences are to the model in question. If the frame is heavier, then yes. But if the frame and axles are the same, and it is just springs, then there you go.

Most models are available with a wide range of GVWRs. Consider that some axles assemblies (Dana 60 for example) were used from passenger vehicles to vehicles heavier than F350s, with different wheels, tires, and springs. An axle is not maxed out in a single model, unless you are driving the heaviest vehicle that axle assembly was ever offered in.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by AlinCal

Jeep guys do it like this...

The last housing I trussed was a Dana 70. The Tundra housing is a relatively thin stamped steel housing that can crack wherever you weld on it. You must be careful welding on a stamped steel housing as you can cause distortion and stress welding on it. There is no heavy cast iron pieces to weld to. I have seen toyota housings rust through and leak oil.

[AlinCal]

Sounds like you've seen and done it all.
Toyota has no problem welding the housing together and the one in my driveway with 145k sometimes overloaded work miles doesn't leak Anywhere.

[RandyNH]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

You can exceed the payload limits using air bags to level the truck.

Learn something new every day here, I had no idea that the yellow sticker payload number was the manufacturers weight limit as to what the vehicle could carry before it would no longer be level. I always thought it was some kind of safety thing, don't I feel silly now.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by RandyNH

Learn something new every day here, I had no idea that the yellow sticker payload number was the manufacturers weight limit as to what the vehicle could carry before it would no longer be level. I always thought it was some kind of safety thing, don't I feel silly now.

I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you. Go ahead and anguish over that yellow sticker. I’ll just hook up and go.

[Martee]

Countryboy59 is right in regard to leaf springs. I read last year that an some F150 models can equal an F250 payload rating by adding a single leaf to the spring. Usually this is done at the factory, with corresponding payload sticker increase, but can also be added by a dealer.

Last year I added a TRD sway bar to my Tundra, mainly to reduce potential sway during towing. And it works great at reducing observed sway during tight turns. However, the Toyota service manager told me, that I just added 150lbs to my factory payload rating.

Also, upgrades to tires and shocks may allow a small increases in payload.