Beefing up rear end of a van?

[bord1niowa]

I have a Chevy 1500 van that I would like to beef up the rear end. Possibly new or heavier duty leaf springs and shocks? Is this feasable and will it improve the weight for towing? It has a 5.7 and the van is in great shape, low miles and doesn't burn a drop of oil. I thought rather than get a 250 or 2500 or 350 etc. I could put heavier duty springs on this van. Anybody out there have any input as to if it's something that could work? I would also consider a different axle ratio if necessary. Thanks

 

[BigDaddyRog]

LarryJ should be able to steer you in the right direction on this one.

 

[LONE-STAR]

Another thing is 3/4 and 1 ton's have larger brakes and bigger cooling systems. I would think it could help with a little extra weight but not sure how far you could push it.

 

[bord1niowa]

The van does have a tranny cooler on it. Can't say anything about brakes on the van but there are also electric brakes on the trailer currently as well as the controller on the van. They do work. If heavier brakes are needed, I wouldn't know. The trailers we are looking at are rated at a GVW of about 7500-8500#s. The van is currently rated for 6500 as it is. I was hoping to be able to pick up the extra 1-2000 pounds. One person suggested I just have an additional leaf spring added. I'll look for any additional ideas on the Disboards here. I appreciate it!

 

[big kahuna1]

Make sure you use "Prime USDA" grade beef. That stuff from Walmart will eat through the steel.

 

[Rhonda]

The only thing it will do is maintain the ride height of the vehicle. The difference is the diameter of the axle. It won't make your axle any more heavy duty. The springs is not what gives the vehicle the towing rating. It has to do with steering components, brakes, etc. The springs are part of it, but just adding leaf springs to increase towing capacity is dangerous.

You would also need a higher gear ratio, and would need to consider getting load range E tires for the additional weight. The sidewalls on your existing tires would be too soft and can overheat and cause separation with any high-speed or distance driving. If you're only going to tow short distances around town, the tires would probably be fine. But if you're going in the mountains, or on the highway, it would be bad on the tires.

You also need to consider adding any weight into the new trailer. Propane tanks, equipment, etc.

 

[VACAMPER]

Would someone beef up my rear end it could really use some work.

 

[Rhonda]

Would someone beef up my rear end it could really use some work.

LOL Amanda! Personally, I need my rear end "beefed down".

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

The only thing that bigger springs will do is give you bigger springs. Physically you will have no more trailer capacity than before. Trailer ratings are based on a variety of factors including, brakes, cooling system, engine size and HP, axle size, gear ratio, frame strength, hitch strength and on and on.
You cannot make a 1/2 ton into a 3/4 or 1 ton and anyone that tells you otherwise is misinformed. I realize that its not the answer you want but thats the "tough love" answer.
The 1500 series van is a very capable tow vehicle if used within its limits, perhaps you could look into a lightweight trailer there are many that offer large square footage with fewer pounds.

Good luck

 

[kc5grw]

The van does have a tranny cooler on it. Can't say anything about brakes on the van but there are also electric brakes on the trailer currently as well as the controller on the van. They do work. If heavier brakes are needed, I wouldn't know. The trailers we are looking at are rated at a GVW of about 7500-8500#s. The van is currently rated for 6500 as it is. I was hoping to be able to pick up the extra 1-2000 pounds. One person suggested I just have an additional leaf spring added. I'll look for any additional ideas on the Disboards here. I appreciate it!

The tow rating of the vehicle considers all aspects of the vehicle's ability to tow a certain weight not just ride height or spring loading. Things such as stopping ability with the load are more important than ride height. You really need should consider downsizing your trailer aspirations or getting a bigger tow vehicle. If you were ever to be involved in a serious accident and it was found that you were exceeding the manufacturers tow ratings it could leave you open to all sorts of liability issues. JMHO

 

[clkelley]

I'm sorry, but that thread title just kills me!!!!

It reminds me of a conversation I had with someone over fighting with Ford on some warranty work on my truck years ago.

It wouldn't align and they said I must have hit something to cause the rear end to mess up.

We contested it, and as I was leaving work to get it looked at again, I said "I'm going to the Ford place to have an engineer look at my rear end."

Well you can imagine the guffaws that one got!!!

(Oh, by the way, Ford did fix the truck under warranty)

 

[BigDaddyRog]

The only thing it will do is maintain the ride height of the vehicle. The difference is the diameter of the axle. It won't make your axle any more heavy duty. The springs is not what gives the vehicle the towing rating. It has to do with steering components, brakes, etc. The springs are part of it, but just adding leaf springs to increase towing capacity is dangerous.

You would also need a higher gear ratio, and would need to consider getting load range E tires for the additional weight. The sidewalls on your existing tires would be too soft and can overheat and cause separation with any high-speed or distance driving. If you're only going to tow short distances around town, the tires would probably be fine. But if you're going in the mountains, or on the highway, it would be bad on the tires.

You also need to consider adding any weight into the new trailer. Propane tanks, equipment, etc.

OMG Rhonda......I love it when you talk like that!!!

gearhead chicks rock

 

[ftwildernessguy]

You cannot make a 1/2 ton into a 3/4 or 1 ton and anyone that tells you otherwise is misinformed. I realize that its not the answer you want but thats the "tough love" answer.

A friend of mine turned a VW Beetle into a pick up truck. Looked kinda funny and didn't hold much. You are a tough love kinda guy, Scott.

 

[Just Beachy]

The only thing it will do is maintain the ride height of the vehicle. The difference is the diameter of the axle. It won't make your axle any more heavy duty. The springs is not what gives the vehicle the towing rating. It has to do with steering components, brakes, etc. The springs are part of it, but just adding leaf springs to increase towing capacity is dangerous.

You would also need a higher gear ratio, and would need to consider getting load range E tires for the additional weight. The sidewalls on your existing tires would be too soft and can overheat and cause separation with any high-speed or distance driving. If you're only going to tow short distances around town, the tires would probably be fine. But if you're going in the mountains, or on the highway, it would be bad on the tires.

You also need to consider adding any weight into the new trailer. Propane tanks, equipment, etc.

Ok, Rhonda. I'm impressed!!! If we ever do a girls' road trip, we want you to come with us!!!!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

A friend of mine turned a VW Beetle into a pick up truck. Looked kinda funny and didn't hold much. You are a tough love kinda guy, Scott.

When it comes to trucks I am. I take this stuff very seriously, I deal with a fleet of 21 vehicles and safety is my #1 priority.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

When it comes to trucks I am. I take this stuff very seriously, I deal with a fleet of 21 vehicles and safety is my #1 priority.

I'm pretty sure my buddy's VW Beetle/pickup was barely road worthy, if that, but we lived out in the country and he needed a pickup.

 

[disney4dan]

"Scotty, Captain Kirk on the bridge here. We need to increase our rear end to 3/4 and make way to the planet Fort Wilderness at Mach 5! Now!"

"Captain, with all due respek sir, I'm givin' Y'all I got! We'll just have to make due with an overnight at Savannah South KOA and recharge the batteries, sir"

 

[LarryJ]

LarryJ should be able to steer you in the right direction on this one.

I'm just not that familiar with the lighter duty Van, but I think Rhonda covered the important areas pretty good as a first cut at the question.

Larry

 

[bord1niowa]

I appreciate the answers very much. I will look at other alternatives as far as tow vehicle and lightweight trailer. Don't want to go too small as we will be full-timing in it in a few of years. Safety is the number 1 concern. Thanks again. Now I'll go have my rear end checked out, I'm that age....lol.

BTW, I understand what I have seen others say about a dealer telling you "sure a 250 or 2500 will pull that 9000 pound trailer." He didn't even need to know anything else to make that ASSumption. I'll never trust them for that information.