Squirrelly Steering Near Max Payload

[USA EV]

Anyone noticed when heavily loaded that the steering gets very squirrelly? It even has a bit of an oscillation as if pulling a poorly loaded trailer.

This happens when the bed is pretty evenly loaded, and today it was even a little more front loaded. A few of these cylinders were even in the cab.

I wondered if it might be due to the more 50/50 normal weight distribution and when loaded I guess it'd be more like 35/65. Does that make the front "light" even though actually heavier than unloaded?

My best guess is that it's probably tires, with inflation on the low side of normal, lots of sidewall (17" wheels, iirc), and weak sidewalls.

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[SpaceEVDriver]

It does make the rear more heavily loaded, compressing the rear suspension, extending the front suspension and unloading the front tires.

To solve it, you can move any cylinders behind the rear axle to over it or forward of it. Obviously you'll need to stop them from moving during transport.

 

[Jseis]

Are those concrete cylinder cores? & what’s the loaded weight? Looks like a ton o’ fun.

 

[Henry Ford]

If that's concrete you are beyond max payload. This load of cider put me over max payload. And yes, when the front tires are lightly loaded relative to the rear it will be squirrelly. My Corvair is squirrelly by design.

 

[RickLightning]

Are those concrete cylinder cores? & what’s the loaded weight? Looks like a ton o’ fun.

If that's concrete you are beyond max payload. This load of cider put me over max payload. And yes, when the front tires are lightly loaded relative to the rear it will be squirrelly. My Corvair is squirrelly by design

A 6x12 concrete cylinder weighs 28.2lbs per Google. That truck is significantly overloaded. People need to do math before towing dangerously.

 

[detansinn]

This is nothing new. My 1970 F100 would do the same thing overloaded, especially with weight aft of the rear axle.

 

[PA Lightning]

Those onboard scales are crying red.

 

[farmtruck]

My factory 4ply tires got swapped for 10plys two days after I took delivery so I could pull trailers.

 

[USA EV]

Those onboard scales are crying red.

Deleted on my build, so the world may never know...

 

[RickLightning]

Deleted on my build, so the world may never know...

I conservatively counted 75. 75 x 28.2 = 2,115 pounds, plus the driver, figure 2,300 at least. Overloaded by maybe 600 or more pounds. When you have that accident, just remember the lawyers for the person you hit / injure are going to be taking that into account when they go for that big settlement because you're knowingly at fault.

 

[USA EV]

I conservatively counted 75. 75 x 28.2 = 2,115 pounds, plus the driver, figure 2,300 at least. Overloaded by maybe 600 or more pounds. When you have that accident, just remember the lawyers for the person you hit / injure are going to be taking that into account when they go for that big settlement because you're knowingly at fault.

I had this payload number in mind, and estimated less per cylinder.

Interesting point that Google would have an estimate for various shapes and sizes of concrete - I've looked up weights for bricks and things on Lowe's site, but it didn't occur to me that Google might have numbers for something more custom. I see now there are calculators for all shapes and sizes of concrete and I'll definitely make use of those in the future should the need arise.

 

[PreservedSwine]

I think you experience the magic carpet ride anytime you’re near Max payload in every truck I’ve ever driven.

 

[USA EV]

I think you experience the magic carpet ride anytime you’re near Max payload in every truck I’ve ever driven.

That's a very good description of how it felt. Good to know about other trucks, as it also occurred to me that it could have been the independent suspension, but since it's common then that is ruled out.

 

[RickLightning]

I had this payload number in mind, and estimated less per cylinder.

Interesting point that Google would have an estimate for various shapes and sizes of concrete - I've looked up weights for bricks and things on Lowe's site, but it didn't occur to me that Google might have numbers for something more custom. I see now there are calculators for all shapes and sizes of concrete and I'll definitely make use of those in the future should the need arise.

That is NOT your payload. Your payload is on the door sticker. It will be less than that number. The higher the trim, the lower the number. My Lariat is 1,686. Yours may be close to that number, but make sure you then subtract anything you added after delivery. If you got your bed sprayed, added a tonneau cover, some nice heavy floormats, and then of course - YOU. I have a 125lb bedcover, a rubber mat in the bed (it was sprayed at the factory), and rubber mats in the car. Easily 175lbs, so I'm down to 1,511 or so.

 

[USA EV]

1,511 or so

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