Upgrading Towing Capacity

[ProjectGray]

Hey I was wondering if there was a way to get the towing capacity to around 8,000-12,00 lbs.? I know that is a big difference but I plan on fully building the truck over the next 5 years. Things like dropping a slightly built VG30DETT in it with the 5-speed so it has higher torque so if anyone has any ideas, crazy or not please I'm all ears.

[ahardb0dy]

No, get a bigger truck if you need to tow that much. Having the power to pull that much of a trailer is one thing but you have to consider stopping also, the amount the frame was designed to handle, and other things.

[ahardb0dy]

Welcome to Infamous

[ProjectGray]

Originally Posted by ahardb0dy

No, get a bigger truck if you need to tow that much. Having the power to pull that much of a trailer is one thing but you have to consider stopping also, the amount the frame was designed to handle, and other things.

I mean I found a Willwood brake kit for it so it should have the stopping power, but I hear ya. Would say 5-6 thousand pounds be more reasonable? Since we are starting with 3,500 and I plan on getting that engine to 500-600 hp roughly.
Btw thank you for the help

[ahardb0dy]

The truck is rated to tow a specific amount, increasing the power and brakes is not going to increase that amount, even if you could tow the amount you want and stop, the frame is only rated for so much. The amount it would cost to tow what you want with it would not be worth the cost and the risk to do so.

[ProjectGray]

Originally Posted by ahardb0dy

The truck is rated to tow a specific amount, increasing the power and brakes is not going to increase that amount, even if you could tow the amount you want and stop, the frame is only rated for so much. The amount it would cost to tow what you want with it would not be worth the cost and the risk to do so.

Alright ill take your word on it just know I plan on building this thing pretty far so alot of it is not going to be stock and I plan on it being pricey thats why its over a few years.

[dvdswan]

Get a bigger truck. A load that size would control the Nissan not the Nissan controlling the load.

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-...g-capacity.htm

[Deerhurst]

I'm with dvd. Get a bigger truck if you want to pull 8-12k regularly. Things get sketchy when 3x the weight of the truck decides to push you around.



I have pulled 7k with my truck. I don't accelerate or stop quickly and if it wanted to get out of hand there would be nothing I could do about it.

[Stinky]

I'm not sure that stopping is your biggest problem.

Your trailer has brakes and they will be big enough to stop the trailer....maybe. And, they will, assuming that you have your load positioned correctly.

Here is the tricky part....when it starts to whip, bounce, etc. In short, brakes aren't the only problem. You'll have problems with load distribution. You'll have problems with wind, bumps and etc.

An 18-wheeler tows something that is way over its weight. It does it because distribution is under control and it can handle the "tongue" weight.

You said on a regular basis...you'll be playing w/fire. Because, you will be doing it so, much that you could get complacent.

[diesel_pusher]

I'm an Owner / Operator of the Kenworth T2000. The cab weighs 20K and has 475hp....all-day and all-night horsepower.

The trailer and load can weigh a max of 60K for a legal weight of 80K.
Thats a 3:1 tow/weight ratio. And this is for a Rig meant to seriously tow.

That being said, I've seen many total wrecks over the years when one little thing goes sideways.

Brakes are of prime concern. Semi brake drums are delivered on a pallet by a forklift...and thats for just one truck/trailer combination. By comparison pickup and small trailer brakes are rediculously small.