Physical Payload 2012 Ram 1500 Quad Cab RWD

[Starr1936]

Hello all. Old newby here. Thanks in advance to anyone who answers.

I need to increase payload. First let me clarify this truck does not leave the farm, so there are no DOT scale fears or getting pulled over by troopers. Operated on my property, on my roads only.

Looking online and reading info on door sticker, payload is about 1512 pounds. I carry more that that. Have larger trucks, but also have this 1500 that we use. Going to put bags on it to level it out, but just don’t know how much weight is too much. What can I haul without coming beyond axle/frame limits. I want to utilize it, not kill/damage it.

Please share your thoughts. Thanks to all

 

[Starr1936]

Additional question is what can I use, along with air bags, to stabilize it.

 

[crash68]

Going to put bags on it to level it out, but just don’t know how much weight is too much. What can I haul without coming beyond axle/frame limits. I want to utilize it, not kill/damage it.

Aside from running a XL or high Load Range tire you sorta already answered your own question. You'll be limited by the GAWR which I believe is 3900 lbs, wouldn't push over that capacity by much more than 10%

 

[Starr1936]

Thanks for the reply. Tires are E load range. Was hoping like 2,200 - 2,400# was the answer. I wish I knew what the manufacturer of the actual axle list the max weight at

 

[crash68]

Was hoping like 2,200 - 2,400# was the answer. I wish I knew what the manufacturer of the actual axle list the max weight at

it will be close if you go over by 10% but the limiting factor is it's a semi-floating axle. It's a 235mm ZF axle.
It maybe possible to swap a 2500 axle under the truck since they're both quad link suspensions.

 

[Daw14]

If you are going to keep the speed low, you may be able to notice a difference if the axle is giving up.

I bet it’s rated at 25% above the door sticker , the lawyers know the intelligence levels of their customers.
Corporate is gonna cover their behinds, IMHO

 

[Starr1936]

Crash, are you speaking about just the axle or will the entire rear end from 2500 fit under it?

 

[Riccochet]

Another thing to be conscious of is it's only a 5 lug axle. If you grossly over load it one of two things will eventually break. The axle housing will snap or the lugs will sheer off.

A 2500 axle would be a good swap.

 

[Treburkulosis]

I ran mine over weight a few times in emergency situations when I was in the roofing industry. I would have mishaps with shingles being junk or unusable when they got shipped in from other states during hail storms. That being said. I ran multiple times roughly 9,321 lbs in the bed of my 12 Hemi 1500 Crew cab. I manually shifted it and I left it out of 6th and took it slow. 50-55 was the top speed. I did it no questions asked, but that is a lot of weight. The only thing you will really run into is the transmission, the brakes, and the 1500 chassis and rear end. It will do it, but just take it really easy. Make sure that transmission is in tip top shape.

 

[crash68]

Crash, are you speaking about just the axle or will the entire rear end from 2500 fit under it?

The entire rear axle assembly, you can get the 8 bolt lug rims in 17", 18" and 20" rims so you can match the wheel diameter.
This is more along the nuclear option and then the frame will become the weak point.

 

[Grams]

There’s more to it than “transmission, the brakes, and the 1500 chassis and rear end”… I ran my previous (2012) Ram 1500 at/near/slightly-over max load a few times…and at 90K miles I had to replace the rear axles ($1500) because the outer bearings are rollers that run directly upon the axle-shaft on a 1500… No raceway… so they began to make noise and when it was disassembled to replace the bearings….the rollers had eaten into the axle-shaft.
Ram was …wait for it…. “Backordered” …(as usual) …so we had to find some aftermarket Yukon axles. Out of service for almost 3 weeks finding axles that would fit.
(Yes, I used Air Lift bags to level it, which worked fine…. but wearing brakes OUT is not the issue… The issue is Getting STOPPED when overloaded. That extra load has momentum and the existing brakes aren’t sized for it.)

But on private land… you’re not likely to have a traffic-problem…. Just be aware that heavy loads Will Take their Toll on machinery-wear.