If you have a pickup truck, you may need to tow a load more significant than your gross vehicle weight ratio (GVWR). The maximum weight your truck can tow is your GVWR. It is not something you should ignore. You can cause damage to your vehicle and other accidents by driving with a load more significant than your GVWR.

There are several ways to increase your GVWR if you need to exceed this number. Improving a pickup truck’s towing capacity is crucial to ensuring emergency preparedness. 

Upgrading the Brakes

You must consider how your upgrades will affect other parts of the truck if you want your pickup to be able to carry larger loads. Your vehicle will need to be slower if your loads are heavier. By upgrading your brake pads, you are helping your truck manage the friction, heat, and stress caused by the extra weight.

A trailer brake control system is a must if you tow a trailer. Your trailer’s brakes will allow you to stop safely and quickly. In addition, the trailer brake control system can produce a dragging effect that will reduce pressure on the brakes.

Car Programs

Vehicle manufacturers program cars to improve fuel efficiency. The programs can adjust these settings to increase horsepower, but you might lose some efficiency.

The vehicle program adjusts the air-to-fuel ratio, transmission shifting, or other settings. It also works with the vehicle’s electronic control module to improve movement and handling. Many power programmers are available depending on the make and model of the pickup.

Installing a Task Hitch that is up-to-date

Install a sturdy hitch to ensure your truck is ready for higher towing capacities. Many types of hitches are available, each with a different weight limit. For example, a Class III hitch can hold up to 5,000 pounds, while a Class IV hitch can hold 10,000 pounds. Attach your hitch receiver properly to the vehicle’s chassis. This is the area that can carry the load. Before you make a purchase, do your research.

Buying a bigger Radiator

Your engine and transmission will not heat up if the radiator is installed. You can help keep these parts cool by installing a larger radiator to withstand the increased weight. To lower heat, add lubricants to your transmission fluids and engine oils.

Upgrading the Axles

Upgraded axles make it easier to handle heavy-duty parts. As a result, you can tow heavier loads with improved axles. This upgrade is the most costly upgrade to improve your pickup truck’s ability to haul heavier loads.

To install it properly, you will need the expertise of a mechanic. In addition, it is so costly, so you should carefully consider whether you require improved axles. All the options on this list can be helpful, but some may not be as cost-effective depending on your income and needs.

Increasing the Suspension

Upgrade your suspension is another worthwhile but expensive option. This will reduce the strain on your GVWR. An increased suspension will reduce the pressure you place on your vehicle. A higher suspension will stabilize your vehicle and handle better by stabilizing the load. It will also reduce the movement the pickup makes from side to side. 

Additionally, this will allow you to transport heavier loads with more excellent safety, and it will feel more comfortable over the long term.

A heavy-duty suspension means more weight is transferred to the front of your vehicle. This allows you to handle bumps better. You can replace your springs with heavier-duty ones. It is up to you to decide how to modify your suspension system if any.

Frame and Chassis

The frame and chassis are the frameworks of a pickup truck. When determining the vehicle’s gross weight, manufacturers consider its size and mass. Therefore, your vehicle’s GVWR will be affected if it is too heavy.

A body-on-frame vehicle is more capable of making chassis and frame adjustments to tow than a unibody. While a unibody is easier to drive, body-on-frame trucks are more flexible and allow you to make modifications to suit your specific towing requirements. In addition, body-on-frame trucks can be strengthened to manage extra weight.

Replacing Intake and Exhaust

You should replace your intake and exhaust to complete the final upgrade to your truck’s suspension. These parts allow your truck’s engine to “breathe.” Replacing them will improve your vehicle’s performance when towing a heavy load.

Replacing the stock parts could be a good idea to increase your pickup’s ability to tow.

Summary

Any pickup driver with a long trip ahead must increase their tow capacity. Again, there are many options, but some may be more expensive or less necessary than others. Similarly, you have the power to decide what is best for your vehicle.

If you run into a situation and think your truck cannot hold the weight of what you need to carry, consider looking into services such as roadside assistance or towing Framingham.