[MikeT]

Originally Posted by zroger73

I hauled my largest load so far this weekend - 480 lbs. of bagged concrete and 11 water-soaked 4x4x10's from Lowe's. I estimate around 800-900 lbs. The front end raised up a couple of inches as the rear end squatted a couple. I couldn't tell any real difference on acceleration. The ride was much smoother than when unloaded, but stability was compromised. It was hard to keep the truck going straight and I could definitely tell I had to push the brake pedal harder. The transmission must have shifted between 5th, 4th, and 3rd dozens of times along the lightly-graded 20-mile trip. Although it served the purpose well, I can only imagine how busy and strained the engine and transmission must be when towing at the RL's limits. I felt sorry enough for the transmission with this "light" load - let along 5 times that weight. I was taken back to the days of my mom's new-at-the-time 1981 Olds Cutlass that contantly hunted between 3rd and overdrive.

Really, wow. I had to make four trips picking up two pallets of sod recently (1/2 pallet each load @ ~1200lbs). On the last load I added in 400lbs of top soil. Although the last load did make a difference on accelleration, none of the loads made the braking feel any different. The truck squatted a bit (~3.5"') and I filled the tires to 40psi to compensate for the extra weight. I never noticed any front end lightness or changes in steering.

Did you add air to the tires to compensate for the extra load?