First real load test Rubicon JT

[Stinggrey 21 Rubi]

Was offered a pallet of tile leftover from large job. Lasting offer, all or none of it, 1,800 lbs as marked on the wrapped pallet.
I loaded forward as much as I could and drove almost 500 miles taking it easy. Did great and got over 20 mpg. Rode about a half inch off of the bump stops. I would not normally done this but wanted to report my experience. I am very impressed with the truck

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[DCPHOENIX]

1800lbs is a BIG load. Congrats on making it!

 

[Maximus Gladius]

You would have appreciated air bags.
Check out Air Lift 1000 for your next haul.

 

[Kirk*Mojave]

One thing I do know there's no way a tacoma could handle a pallet of tile

 

[Snake Eyes]

In what world is it a good thing to overload it by almost 100% and then drive it 500 miles increasing the chance of a blowout or brake failure increasing the risk to everyone around the driver? Being a JTR it probably had a payload limit around 1000 pounds max and the OP was running around 2000 lbs with him and the load.

I think what the OP did was a bad decision and also had no regard for the safely of those around him regardless how easy he took it. Airbags are nice but not a replacement for grossly (and illegally) exceeding payload and then driving 500 miles.

As a former LEO I spent too much time at accidents with people who thought it was OK to do what they were doing.

Sorry for being so blunt.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

In what world is it a good thing to overload it by almost 100% and then drive it 500 miles increasing the chance of a blowout or brake failure increasing the risk to everyone around the driver? Being a JTR it probably had a payload limit around 1000 pounds max and the OP was running around 2000 lbs with him and the load.

I think what the OP did was a bad decision and also had no regard for the safely of those around him regardless how easy he took it. Airbags are nice but not a replacement for grossly (and illegally) exceeding payload and then driving 500 miles.

As a former LEO I spent too much time at accidents with people who thought it was OK to do what they were doing.

Sorry for being so blunt.

I've driven 15 miles over-loaded (not by that much) and let me tell you - nope, not me with this truck.
I could feel the "possibilities" on curves and RR tracks and prayed nothing popped out in front of me.
The good - the speeds were slow, the traffic was very low.
It was a similar situation - heck of a deal if I took it ALL.
If it had been more, Id' have said no. But they told me "we have 48 left, make you a heck of a deal for all of the rest. As the guy loaded them up he said "I've loaded up over 50 on your truck and there's twice that much left........." crap.
Steering and brakes were my concern. Center of gravity, "what if", a tire blow-out would have sent me into a place I didn't want to go, or a deer popping out in front of me.
The fact that most of the trip was 40 mph speed limit was the only helpful part.
Next time I'll tell them "I'll be right back" and go get my trailer.

Yes, the driver's weight counts. Anything that the truck didn't come from the factory with counts against payload. I bet your numbers are more accurate - it was 1,000 pounds + over.

 

[Stinggrey 21 Rubi]

Ah, yes let's all be safe but maybe not act like and internet fact distorting blowhard...

I was full prepared to remove some of the load if I had felt it was unsafe but it never did. It actually felt more stable than a few old CJ's and 04 LJ on 35's - while empty.

Anyway, I was impressed with the truck and thought I would share.

 

[Gren71]

Ah, yes let's all be safe but maybe not act like and internet fact distorting blowhard...

I was full prepared to remove some of the load if I had felt it was unsafe but it never did. It actually felt more stable than a few old CJ's and 04 LJ on 35's - while empty.

Anyway, I was impressed with the truck and thought I would share.

they certainly are impressive little trucks! Even when pushed to their limits. Like others have said take a look airlift bags, or maybe the sumo springs bump stops. If you intend to off road ive read the bags can limit spring travel. Either option will make a heavy load feel better.

 

[redriderjf87]

Thanks for sharing your experience and good that everything felt good and went safe.

Do you notice anything distorted in the suspension/stance or everything looks and feels normal after unloading it, I'm assuming from the sound of it?

I had 1100 lb in mine once, to drive down to the landfill at the other side of town. I was extra careful and easy on the clutch, but overall was impressed as well.

 

[Rusty PW]

In what world is it a good thing to overload it by almost 100% and then drive it 500 miles increasing the chance of a blowout or brake failure increasing the risk to everyone around the driver? Being a JTR it probably had a payload limit around 1000 pounds max and the OP was running around 2000 lbs with him and the load.

I think what the OP did was a bad decision and also had no regard for the safely of those around him regardless how easy he took it. Airbags are nice but not a replacement for grossly (and illegally) exceeding payload and then driving 500 miles.

As a former LEO I spent too much time at accidents with people who thought it was OK to do what they were doing.

Sorry for being so blunt.

As a LEO. You should know that people do it all the time. Ever see some of the cars leaving a Home Depot.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

As a LEO. You should know that people do it all the time. Ever see some of the cars leaving a Home Depot.

Aw, come on, you know "just because you can" or didn't mama ever say "I don't care what the other kids are doing............"
(I guess some kids never change LOL)

 

[Rusty PW]

Aw, come on, you know "just because you can" or didn't mama ever say "I don't care what the other kids are doing............"
(I guess some kids never change LOL)

Ever go to Home Depot or Lowe's with your truck early in the morning. Park close to the front of the store and hold up 3 fingers out the window. And get 3 illegals jumping in the bed.

 

[Labswine]

Ever go to Home Depot or Lowe's with your truck early in the morning. Park close to the front of the store and hold up 3 fingers out the window. And get 3 illegals jumping in the bed.

Go to Home Depot early in the morning and yell, "INS" and watch them all scatter

 

[Rusty PW]

Go to Home Depot early in the morning and yell, "INS" and watch them all scatter

Or ICE.

 

[Labswine]

I had around 1,500 to 1,600 lbs in my bed once. I was bringing home hardwood flooring. The real red Oak, 3/4" by 2 3/4" stuff.

No real noticeable sag in the rear end and as far as driveability, yeah, kept it low and slow but, she handled it with aplomb.

I also did this on two other occasions bringing home more of the same flooring but I also had a 5' x 10' utility trailer hitched up, also loaded with around the same amount of flooring as in the bed of the truck. Two trips, and again, handled it with aplomb.

Yeah, these may be smaller trucks but, they're trucks and can (within safety limits and safe driving tactics) handle the bigger loads. After all, the running gear is the same as a RAM 1500 (just narrower) so...

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