Bed Weight

[mariner]

I have a 2002 f-150 4x2 6 cyl(I believe its a half ton). My question is: I will have a 200 gallon spray rig in it this summer that weighs 480 lbs itself and If I fill it all the way up it'll be about 2000 lbs total. What do I need to replace/add to the truck so that it'll accomodate this weight?

[Carriage House Services]

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Like everything in life, there are a dozen ways to beef up your rear end to handle the additional weight. I'm not as familar with ford as I am chevy but here's what I would do in somewhat ranking order:
1. swap in a heavier axle, just bolt in with chevy.
2. add a leaf to your existing spings.
3. that make a bolt on add a leaf that goes on top instead of underneath and that prevent your spring from arching behond a certain point.
4. air bags... there are tons of different systems from simple to elaborate shop around
5. Or you could always trailer it... make/but a small on or work it onto your existing one..
6. Buy a 3/4 ton chevy (or heavier) and dump the ford [8D]

hope that gives you some ideas

Kris
Carriage House Services

[Seascape]

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You will not be able to make the 1/2 ton safe w/ a 200 gal. tank in it. This is my experience.
mike

[lawrence stone]

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Open up the drivers door. Look at the GVRW plate on the inside of the door.

No matter what you do to "beef" up the truck you cannot legally exceed the manufactures GVRW rating.

Now come to the realization that for just a few thousand dollars more you could have bought a new six wheel cabover with a 12 foot rack body with a GVRW of 12,000 that had a V8 engine and a 4 speed overdrive automatic standard.

[andersc1]

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I tend to agree with Mike, you can't make a 1/2 ton safe with a 200 gallon tank filled up in the back. I've carried 100 gallons before and it's a pretty decent load.

Short of buying a 3/4 ton truck, I would suggest picking up a trailer and pulling the rig behind the truck.

Curtis

[Edgewater Landscaping]

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It's all about brakes, you can load the truck till it hits the ground, but I wouldn't want you behind me on a wet road.

Adam

[mariner]

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I found out that the payload is 1825 for my truck so it should be alright.

[Seascape]

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ok man . Go fill your fert tank and go for a spin. ill be her waitin to here all about it when ya get back.
mike

[mariner]

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Don't be jealous.

[Seascape]

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Really man i just think you should try it.
mike

[mariner]

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I will. I don't think that I will have to fill it all that way this year but when I get to that point I will have some support shocks or something added. The total weight filled would be 2050 and like I said the paylaod is 1825. I won't need any more than 150 gallons at a time starting off. With the unit and 150 gallons in it would be 1650 lbs. If that doesn't work, the truck has a full warranty and Ford will be picking me up with a tow and repairing it. Thats all I can say.