The Load Handler

[Tominator]

Question for Shaun or anyone else that might know. I'm going to get a load handler for my truck.

If you're not familiar, here's a link:

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0045293522111a.shtml

Anyway, I know my truck will handle the 2,000 capacity, but I'm wondering if my truck will handle 3,000 lbs. of stuff. My truck is a 2003 Silverado and has the Z71 suspension. I'll have to go read my tires to see if they can handle that load, but I'm pretty sure they can.

Any help would be appreciated.

And Tom, if you're reading this, spare me the "go read your owner's manual" comment. ---->

[wtnhunt]

Seen the load handler in catalogs and seems there was a commercial for them out few years back. Let us know how it works out for you Chris. Far as how much your truck will hold(cap) in the bed, would check the ratings for your truck. Have probably had more than 3000 lbs in my 3/4 ton 98 chevy, but the suspension on it is a bit heavier than your Z71.

[redkneck]

I've never been overly impressed with my Z71's suspension. What are you planning on hauling? Gravel will eat up a paint job fast.

[Tominator]

What are you planning on hauling? Gravel will eat up a paint job fast.

Dirt and manure for the most part, but probably gravel from time to time.

Too late on the paint job, lol. It's a 2003, that bed is done scratched and dented up beyond belief. One of these days I'll get a Rhino liner on it.

[Goinghuntin]

2000 pounds max for the 1500. There might be a plate on the driver's side door that has capacities.

Nathan

[Shaun_300]

I don't have any experience with those, but I know you can get air bags that go on top of the rear axle that you can inflate to different pressures to handle what you're carrying. A lot of our customers use those. The cheaper ones have two tire valves that go near your licence plate to inflate with a tire inflater. The fancy ones have a compressor with a switch on your dash with a pressure gauge mounted on it. You can fill or purge the bags from right inside your truck. They work pretty slick.

[redkneck]

Dirt and manure for the most part, but probably gravel from time to time.

Too late on the paint job, lol. It's a 2003, that bed is done scratched and dented up beyond belief. One of these days I'll get a Rhino liner on it.

I'm talking about the outside. I tried hauling a little bit of slag gravel (the small size) from a few miles down the road. I put a few heavy sheets of cardboard down to keep it from falling through the crack at the tailgate, but apparently some fell through anyway and as soon as it falls down and hits the pavement it flies up FAST and chips the back of the tailgate. I bet there was a thousand chips on it from that one load of gravel. I was PO'd!

Doesnt stand out now, but that was when it was still spotless.

[Tominator]

I'm talking about the outside. I tried hauling a little bit of slag gravel (the small size) from a few miles down the road. I put a few heavy sheets of cardboard down to keep it from falling through the crack at the tailgate, but apparently some fell through anyway and as soon as it falls down and hits the pavement it flies up FAST and chips the back of the tailgate. I bet there was a thousand chips on it from that one load of gravel. I was PO'd!

Doesnt stand out now, but that was when it was still spotless.

Oh, yeah, that would be bad. Tailgate on that 7 year old truck still looks pretty good. Thanks for the headsup.

[wtnhunt]

Think at the very least you would need helper springs or air springs like Shaun suggested Chris. Don't know that your suspension would handle that much of a load, could possibly cause damage.

[Tominator]

Think at the very least you would need helper springs or air springs like Shaun suggested Chris. Don't know that your suspension would handle that much of a load, could possibly cause damage.

Yeah, I agree, that's the last thing I want to do.

I think I'll go with the 1 ton version and see how that holds up. I won't be using it on a day to day basis, more like 2 or 3 times this year, then probably once a year after that to unload mulch.

Thanks for your input guys.

:eat:

[redkneck]

I've used something similar to this:

http://www.udumptrailers.com/farm.asp

That's not the same one they rent around here, but you get the idea. Might be the easier way to go for occasional use like your talking about. You can get one of them for around $100 for the entire weekend.

[SchuLace]

Those dump trailers are nice. One of my dads co workers has one and we used it to haul gravel for our driveway. We were putting about 3 ton of gravel on the trailer. They are pretty slick trailers.