Hello,

I was wondering what the bed load weight was on a 06 Dodge Ram Hemi 1500... I do pressure cleaning and painting for a living and was interested in buying a 350 gallon water tank and strap it down in the bed of the truck... I was told that a 350 gallon water tank would weigh with water filled up about 800 pounds... I was told that it might mess up my rear suspension... Does anyone know anything about this?

 

umm, a quick search on google confirmed that 1 gallon of water weighs just over 8 pounds. 8.35 actually, times 350 = 2,922.5 pounds - of just water weight. I'm not sure about the maximum payload capacity but I think it's in the ballpark of 1,000 pounds.

** Okay it's closer to 1,300 - 1,500 depending on 2wd or 4wd and cab sizes. There should be a sticker on the drivers door frame which will list the actually weights and capacities specific to your model

 

There is No way your 1500 will handle that kind of load. Get a trailer with the tank and go that route.

 

quick question about your setup, do you just have the 2.5" front leveling and stock rear? Also, how do you like your 2.5" ride, Im getting mixed reviews with some saying that 2.5" causes nothing but problem and that 2" works the best with all other stock components?, thanks

 

I like the 2.5 but what everybody is saying about not going over 2" is because you have a 1500 with IFS ( Independent Front Suspension ), 2" is all you want to go. I went with 2.5" because I have a Mega Cab which has a solid front axle. Even though its a 1500 its really a 2500. I left the rear stock, I just put different shocks for a better ride.

 

I was just asking a similar question last week on here about my 06' 1500 4X4 Quad Cab. I carried the heaviest load ever for my truck this past sunday, 850lbs and i can tell you, the truck does not handle well. Having never hauled anything even half as much as that since i bought the truck new, my suspension is in great shape and the truck sat pretty level even with that weight. But driving wise, any bump and the truck started to float around on the road. The truck did not feel very stable at all.

I took the advice of others on here and just ordered a set of Air Bags to help firm things up when carrying loads. But the weight you are talking about? Forget it. You need a trailer.

 

I could carry my 700 lb. ATV with NO PROBLEM whatsoever - WHEN I REMOVED MY TOOLBOX. The weight was centered in the bed and the rear squatted maybe 1 1/2" at most.

However, with my toolbox in, the weight of the ATV is centered BEHIND the rear axle and the truck pointed my headlights (low beams) up into the trees!

I got air bags for the rear (about $200) and with 30# of air in them (max is 100#) it sits dead level and handles just fine.

If the tank is up against the cab or at least forward of the rear axle and stable, I'd think you'd be fine, if not - you're gonna have issues. BAG IT regardless and I don't think you'll ever have a problem...

 

You really think 2,900 lbs (that is just the water, that is not even including the tank, pumps, etc) could be carried in a 1500 series trucks even with Air Bags? By the time you add a driver, pumps, hoses, tools, etc you are easily more then double the rated capacity of that truck. In my opinion, you would be nuts to even attempt it.

 

Oh hell, I read the ORIGINAL POST ONLY and really only skimmed it to where he said he was gonna carry 800 lbs. WHICH WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE.

If he's gonna do 2900 lbs. that's a wee bit different! Hell, that's DUALLY TERRITORY.

NICE CATCH, sometimes I get on here and don't have much time and try to give my 2 cents without reading the ENTIRE THREAD. MY BAD...


I've done about 2100 lbs. a couple of time in river rock for projects around the house, WITH BAGS, short distance (about 5 miles) and for that you can get away with it, BUT any regularity or any distance - no way. Now figure close to 1000 lbs. more than that. Forget it!!!

 

Its ok Hammer, we forgive you, just don't ever let it happen again. Haha.