92 Truck+Camper Build

92GMCK2500 said:

Yeahhh hey, that's what I'm finding. What's your setup like? Do you fully engage the overload or just a hair engaged?

I would like to upgrade to a 5+1 or 6+1 new leaf pack eventually, to be less bag dependent. Damm, a set of new rear leaf's ain't cheap, shipping kills!

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92GMCK2500 said:

Next up: Weight (lbs.)
Once the bags were on and truck was riding level i took it through the weigh station. Here are the numbers for anyone interested. This is loaded with the camper, half gas tank, driver, some gear, full propane, but no water (takes 132L).

Front Axle: 3420
Rear Axle: 5510
GVW: 8770
+ the half of gas tank + water + one adult + full gear + wood =
Estimated GVW: 9000 - 9500
(Depending on the length of trip/amount of gear).

Compared to the truck ratings...:
Front GAWR: 3750
Rear GAWR: 4410
GVWR: 7200

Other useful info:
Max weight capacities as listed in my 1992 Sales Brochure.
Front suspension: 3750
Rear suspension: 4800 (4+1 leaf pack)
Front axle: 3925
Rear axle: 4800 (9.5", 14 bolt, SF, 6-lug)
Wheels: 2400 each x 2 = 4800 (6-lug steelies)
Tires: 3048 each x 2 = 6096 (LT245/75/R16E)

Soooo yeah. Its +/- 1000# over weight at the rear.... bit of a dilemma but cant say I'm surprized. Looks like the load on the rear wheels are over too. Anyone done 8-lug axle at the rear and 6 lug up front? Ive read they are different widths??

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Supercharged111 said:

Sorry I missed this. I'm fully engaged, not barely. We'll see how it goes with the additional leaf up top now.

So yeah you're way over on your axle, but FWIW the 8 lug 9.5" diff was rated to 6000# RAWR so my guess is the brakes, leaf pack, and 6 lug count is what is holding you (and my 1500) up. Probably not that big of a deal now that you have the bags.

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92GMCK2500 said:

How does GM calculate axle GAWR ratings? Anyone know?

Is the rating the max carrying capacity of the axle housing? Housing+shaft? Or the entire axle as an assembly (axle housing, shaft, leafs, lugs, brskes etc)??

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92GMCK2500 said:

Interesting.

This is what I've been wondering. At the end of the day, is running 1000# over my rear GAWR going to damage the axle structurally? E.g. axle shafts bending.

I've been having issues with my drum to backing plate relationship. As in, when i turn the drum, it isn't true to the backing plate. Ive been trouble shooting this for a while now but I'm still perplexed. Has anyone heard of or seen a 9.5 SF axle shaft damaged due to excess weight?

I might be reading into this more than i need too but I'm curious.

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stutaeng said:

I don't know if I mentioned this on another one of your threads, but you can convert the 14 bolt full float to 6 lug. I've seen some guys do that on performancetruck.net. But not sure if you would want to go that route. It does not seem too straightforward.

I think the 10.5" is rated 8600#

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Supercharged111 said:

I'm leaning toward your axle housing being OK with the weight as it is rated to 6000# in 8 lug form. This begs the question of is there a difference in output bearing size?

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