How Much Payload Before the Springs Go Flat?

[Relentless]

I've got a '92 Dodge 2wd 1 ton Cummins dually with overloads on it. The rear main leaves have 8 leaves, totalling 2 3/4" thick, the overloads are 5 leaves, thickness of 1.5 inches. I've got a line on some heavy scrap iron, but I'm not sure how much weight I can put in the bed before the springs go flat. All springs are in good shape, still have good arch. Any ideas?

[bgilbert]

I've got a '92 Dodge 2wd 1 ton Cummins dually with overloads on it. The rear main leaves have 8 leaves, totalling 2 3/4" thick, the overloads are 5 leaves, thickness of 1.5 inches. I've got a line on some heavy scrap iron, but I'm not sure how much weight I can put in the bed before the springs go flat. All springs are in good shape, still have good arch. Any ideas?

As long as your bumper is not touching the ground, you should be ok IMO. I'd be more worried about your tires. You have plenty of leafs so they'll take some weight. I'd say 2-3 ton before going flat.

[Richie O]

What ever looks good. I have seen 1 tons with 10 tons of payload go across the scales.

[Tacoclaw]

Yup, it honestly depends on your tires more than anything.

Now, if you're going to be hauling it any sort of distance, you might want to take it easy, but with a pretty local haul you can get pretty wild. Just try to make it as smooth as possible, lots of stress on your frame and stuff when the only suspension is the bumpstops.

Oh, and make sure you're aware of any DOT guys running around. No matter how careful you're being, they won't care.

[Mark Nixon]

I had 3 ton (6,000 lbs) of scrap, with high sides on the old flatbed, a while back and it pulled it like it was barely an issue.
The SPRINGS taking it, that was another matter.
This thing was built as a welding rig and has a very heavy flatbed on it and the truck has been heavier than I've had it, because the overload strikers are bent by about an inch, ON ALL 4.

I know it's overloaded for the dead springs when I hook the 2-car to it, because it's actually at the already-bent overload strikers, when it's loaded with 2 fully dressed mid '70s GM fullsizes.

It's scaled right at 25,000 before, overweight on both trailer and truck, but the Cummins just keeps moving it.
Even with the brakes the flatbed has, slowing/stopping it all is a whole 'nother matter.

Mark.

[pulltilbroke]

Load it like a rail car and drive it like a race car.

[Relentless]

Thank you for the advice guys! The distance I need to travel is about 100 miles, but when I'm hauling a load, I only go about 45-50 mph. Better safe than sorry .

[Richie O]

As said before, they will tow way more then they will stop.