Payload/Hauling Questions

[cblackb]

Hey All, I just used my truck for it's first serious challenge and from the results it wasn't much of a challenge...I THINK, you tell me! I needed to haul some water about 70 miles on the interstate from my Dads to my place. It was a 425 gallon tank. The tank weighs around 70 or so pounds and it was filled to the brim. My calculations of water being 8.33 pounds per gallon put my payload at about 3600 pounds. The back of the truck was squatting pretty bad but it handled fine and stopped fine. I was running 70 mph in overdrive all the way home and had PLENTY of power to spare. I have load range E tires, so that was no issue. So, here are my questions.

1. Was the truck overloaded? Was it legal?
2. Should I invest in helper springs?
3. Was it smart to run in Overdrive? (there were a few small grades)

I have to say it was awesome pulling those hills w/ the open intake and straight pipe. I don't know what was louder, the pipes or the screaming turbo.

[slammedSI]

To my knowledge.

1. i think that the payload is like 2500lbs maybe wrong tho.
2. If you where over loaded or close to the limit I would get some, Always safe then sorry
3. The only Time i had to use the tow/haul mode was towing 10K on a really hilly road. If the rig wasnt searching for gears, Coming in and out of gears then you where fine.

[jphelzer]

on the overloads. As long as the trans wasn't searching for gears (switching in and out of O/D) I think you're fine. Good job putting the truck to work!

[mrnecsteve]

Overlaoded yep. And if you havent tried it yet ,dont haul that water without it being full or almost empty.( Unless its baffled.)The weight shifting around will thro you a good curve.