Tips for Increasing Truck Payload Capacity

Are you like me? I often see this question on forums or am asked by friends around me: Is there any way to increase the weight of my truck? Unfortunately, the weight capacity of a truck is determined when it leaves the factory. We usually call it payload capacity, and it cannot be increased. Under no circumstances should you exceed this number, otherwise there will be safety hazards.

Today, in this article, the experts at Mostplus will discuss everything about payload capacity, including what it is, how to know the payload capacity of your truck, and what methods can be used to increase the hauling capacity of your truck.

What is Payload?

A few days ago we discussed the towing capacity of trucks. In addition to towing capacity, the payload capacity of pickup trucks is also one of the issues that many first-time pickup truck buyers or existing pickup truck owners are very concerned about. After all, one of the reasons they buy a pickup truck is that it can do an excellent job of transporting goods. Generally speaking, the ability of a pickup truck to transport goods is reflected by its payload capacity. So, what is payload capacity? In professional terms, the payload of a truck is the maximum weight it can safely carry, including passengers, cargo, and any additional equipment. It is the load-bearing limit of the vehicle. This number is determined by the manufacturer and is based on the design and engineering specifications of the truck, including engine/transmission configuration, cab and cargo box configuration, drive configuration, capacity, and rear wheel configuration.

How To Know Your Truck’s Payload Capacity?

Don't know your truck's payload capacity yet? No problem, you can find the answer on a sticker inside your driver's door.

First, you'll want to find your truck's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR is the maximum allowable weight of a truck when fully loaded, including the vehicle itself, passengers, cargo, and the tongue weight of the trailer. Then, you'll want to find the truck's curb weight (the weight of the truck without any cargo or passengers). Finally, it's pretty simple, using a simple formula provided by the truck manufacturer, which is to take the truck's Gross Vehicle Weight Registration (GVWR), subtract the truck's curb weight, and the number you get is your payload capacity.

For example, if your vehicle has a GVWR of 8,000 pounds and a curb weight of 6,000 pounds, your payload rating would be 2,000 pounds. This means you can safely add up to 2,000 pounds of passengers, cargo, and equipment to your vehicle.

All right, it's that simple, and it's not hard at all.

Can you increase the payload capacity?

We've already answered this question at the beginning of this article. Under no circumstances should you exceed the payload capacity of your vehicle.

There are various suspension devices that people often add to trucks to improve handling or ride comfort when heavily loaded. These devices include additional leaf or helper springs, air shocks, SumoSprings, and airbags. While these devices can significantly improve ride stability and handling under load, none of these devices increase the payload capacity of a truck. The payload capacity is a fixed number set by the manufacturer and is based on the truck's design, frame strength, suspension, and braking systems. No matter what modifications you make to the suspension, you cannot legally or safely exceed this number.

The Consequences of Exceeding Payload Capacity

Overloading your truck can lead to a variety of problems, including:

• Decreased maneuverability and stability: An overloaded truck is harder to control, especially in an emergency. Doing so not only puts excessive stress on your pickup, but also endangers yourself and other drivers on the road. The suspension and braking systems can't handle extra weight, increasing the risk of an accident.
• Increased wear and tear: Overloading puts extra stress on your truck's suspension, brakes, tires, and drivetrain. Stopping distances increase, especially when approaching or reaching maximum payload, and failure to slow down in time can result in a head-on collision due to the added momentum and added weight.
• Legal and liability issues: If your truck is involved in an accident while overloaded, you could face fines, legal liability, or even a denied insurance claim. Exceeding the GVWR is illegal and can result in hefty fines.

Tips for Raising Truck Payload Capacity or Hauling Performance

If you insist on increasing the payload capacity of your truck, there are ways to do it. According to our formula, the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is fixed, and you can reduce the curb weight of the truck, such as removing your tailgate and removing your back seat, and your payload capacity will also increase a little. Of course, just kidding, you don’t want to drive a vehicle with defects on the road.Although we can’t directly increase the payload capacity of the truck, we can use some products to improve the hauling performance of the pickup truck. Follow our experts to see which products can upgrade the performance of the truck.

Add-a-Leaf Springs

The first suspension device we'll discuss is the add-a-leaf spring. These are additional leaf springs that can be added to your existing leaf spring stack to increase the spring rate and reduce sagging under load. The process involves removing the U-bolts from your axle, adding extra leaves with specific weight ratings, and then reassembling everything. You can also opt for helper springs that bolt onto your existing springs without needing to disassemble anything. These devices can be beneficial if your springs are sagging or if you frequently carry heavy loads.

Air Shocks

Air Shocks replace the factory bump stops under your truck. They are designed to provide additional support when the truck is under load, compressing as the load increases to offer more resistance. Like helper springs, air shocks can improve the ride quality by reducing sag and helping with stability when carrying heavy loads.

SumoSprings

SumoSprings function similarly to Timbrens but are made from a different material—polyurethane with microcellular bubbles inside. The more bubbles there are, the softer the spring, and the fewer bubbles, the stiffer the spring. SumoSprings are also designed to engage only when the truck is under load, offering additional resistance as the load increases.

Airbags

Finally, let's talk about airbags, which are perhaps the most complex of the suspension devices. Airbags are installed between the axle and the frame of the truck and are inflated to provide additional support under load. The more air pressure you add, the more resistance the airbags provide. This system often includes an air compressor, an air tank, and controls to adjust the pressure as needed. Airbags are excellent for leveling out the ride when towing or carrying heavy loads, and they can help reduce sag and improve stability.

Conclusion

Adding certain suspension devices would allow their truck to carry more weight. This is simply not true. No suspension upgrade can legally or safely increase your truck's payload capacity. While these devices can improve ride quality and stability, they don't change the GVWR or the payload rating.In conclusion, always remember that your truck's payload capacity is fixed and cannot be increased by aftermarket modifications. If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to leave a comment below.