Increasing Payload Capacity

[bluesun]

Are air springs the way to do this, or would it be impossible any way. I would like to tow a trailer, and the hitch weight is a little high, so I want to increase the capacity. Should I also get different tires? Thanks for the help.

[SoldOnNissan]

bluesun,

Your question would best be answered by your dealer to stay within the limits of your vehicle, your warranty and safety concerns.

That being said, I added leaf springs, heavy duty shocks and a receiver hitch to my '93 SEV6 w/5 spd man. when it was new so it would hold up the tongue weight of a fairly heavy 18' fiberglass boat with I/O. Worked very well and the truck still rides good, a little firm but I prefer that over a soft wallowing ride and has the original clutch. I still have it and, with 97k, it's still a reliable, good riding, dependable vehicle.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Depends on exactly how much you plan to load on the tongue. Make sure you get a hitch rated stong enough. Add-a-leafs are cheap and simple, but will make your ride stiff when not towing. Air bags are more expensive, but allow you to adjust to the right ride height and stiffness. Adding a compressor makes them very convienent. Not too sure if it would be necissary to upgrade the shocks unless you are changing to a much larger/heavier wheel/tire set up.

[Austin]

I plan on installing Sport-rite air springs to carry a slide-in camper with a 1700lb wet weight.

It'll be exceeding the vehicle GVWR, but still drive well.

[Austin]

Oh, and the tires w/the off-road package are rated at 2830lbs at 35psi, so no problems there, thats 11320lbs worth of tire.

[bluesun]

Thanks for the help. I don't want to modify the ride/suspension so I guess airbags are the way to go. Trailer dealer doesn't seem to like them though. Was worried what the wheels/tires/axels are rated for. Guess we answered one question.

[titansurveyor]

Originally Posted by Austin

Oh, and the tires w/the off-road package are rated at 2830lbs at 35psi, so no problems there, thats 11320lbs worth of tire.

But the tires are P rated not LT, so the sidewalls aren't as strong. That is my understanding of them. A P rated tire is a passenger vehicle tire, where a LT is an actual truck tire.

[Austin]

Originally Posted by titansurveyor

But the tires are P rated not LT, so the sidewalls aren't as strong. That is my understanding of them. A P rated tire is a passenger vehicle tire, where a LT is an actual truck tire.

Well...

I've since completely given up on getting a slide-in truck camper, and we've ordered a 23 foot travel trailer.

I also bought a second set of wheels (oem off-road package alloys) off eBay last night. BFG makes their All Terrain T/A and their Mud Terrain T/A tires in an LT 285/70/17 size with a D load rating - so I'll be getting a set of those as well.

[titansurveyor]

Originally Posted by Austin

Well...

I've since completely given up on getting a slide-in truck camper, and we've ordered a 23 foot travel trailer.

I also bought a second set of wheels (oem off-road package alloys) off eBay last night. BFG makes their All Terrain T/A and their Mud Terrain T/A tires in an LT 285/70/17 size with a D load rating - so I'll be getting a set of those as well.

Congrats on the TT, nice tires also you will like them. I was surprised when I bought my truck that the tires were not LT. Kind of disappointing

[Austin]

Originally Posted by titansurveyor

nice tires also you will like them.

I had a set of 35x12.50 BFG M/T's on my old Tacoma - at 5psi, they give you god-like abilities off-road. I dig 'em.

I was pretty dissapointed also that the Titan doesn't come with LT load rated tires also... I think they should at least offer them with the tow package, ya know?

LT tire selection in 285/70/17 is very limited... So far, I've only found the BFG's in that size.

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by Austin

ILT tire selection in 285/70/17 is very limited... So far, I've only found the BFG's in that size.

Toyo has some:

http://www.toyo.com/tires/index_frame.html

[Austin]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

Toyo has some:

http://www.toyo.com/tires/index_frame.html

Did you see any model in particular with load range C or D in 285/70/17?

I browsed through a bit, but all the tires in that size were of a similar weight bearing capacity to the P tires that come on the truck.

Not to worry, I've already purchased two extra sets of oem wheels (and I'll soon have tire pressure sensors to go with them) and a set of BFG M/T's for play time. I'm still trying to find a good highway tire I like. I'll keep the oem tires on the oem wheels for commute duty.