Reduce rake by adding weight in JT bed

[JeepOfTheseus]

What is the question exactly? Are you asking if that’s why they designed it with “rake”? Because that’s always been my impression: it’s a pickup - so when you’re carrying load, it flattens out instead of having a Carolina squat. I’d take daily rake over squat under load ??‍

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[Rahkmalla]

You know every vehicle made today (and for perhaps the last 30ish years) has a rake right? Not just trucks

 

[Glad_he_ate]

You guys went two whole pages already on this bridge ?? Don’t look over the edge…

 

[Jeeperjamie]

You must not have a Max tow, 250lbs in the bed of mine and it does nothing. Also on mine a 1.5" level kit in the front would of leveled it out pretty much, I don't think it's got 2" of rake. I'm with most in this thread, that's a ridiculous way to take the rake out of the JT. Add 250lbs of weight and you could just add about 2lbs of spacers, doesn't make sense.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I hate to say it but I think its all in your head.

The days of the light in the tail pickups are over. There is a huge difference in weight distribution between a 4 door truck with a 5 foot bed and an old 2 door truck with an 8 foot bed. The old truck there is literally nothing for the rear 8 ft of the truck.

We've got a whole 'nother set of seats and a very short bed connecting the two.

Actually I agree with him. A few pounds in the back and it does handle better. These are still pretty light in the ass end. The only real exception was my Chevy - it had a heavy butt and weight didn't really matter, but on my JT, when I haul just the right amount of weight, say a couple hundred pounds, it does ride and handle better. And that makes sense - it is a TRUCK.

I have max tow springs under mine and it takes more than 200 pounds to notice the rake change visually, but 500 pounds on the hitch and suddenly my heavy rake is totally flattened out. Mine sits pretty close to level with 1,000 pounds spread evenly in the bed.

We went shopping a week or so ago - 100 pounds of cat litter and cat food, about 120 pounds of wild bird food and my truck rode better, it was smoother on bumps.

The weight in the back is enough to cause the headlight issue discussed elsewhere.

 

[obrianmcc]

I hate to say it but I think its all in your head.

The days of the light in the tail pickups are over. There is a huge difference in weight distribution between a 4 door truck with a 5 foot bed and an old 2 door truck with an 8 foot bed. The old truck there is literally nothing for the rear 8 ft of the truck.

We've got a whole 'nother set of seats and a very short bed connecting the two.

You say this as if all our trucks are set up with the same tires, springs, and shocks .... hmmm?

 

[Jefe1018]

I hate to say it but I think its all in your head.

The days of the light in the tail pickups are over. There is a huge difference in weight distribution between a 4 door truck with a 5 foot bed and an old 2 door truck with an 8 foot bed. The old truck there is literally nothing for the rear 8 ft of the truck.

We've got a whole 'nother set of seats and a very short bed connecting the two.

Not in my head. You can come drive my truck, I’m in Vegas some come make an excuse out of it? Ha!

Yes, weight distribution is a lot better in our truck than in that past but in all seriousness, with some weight in the bed the rear is more planted and not so bouncy over bumps. It’s not your 99 Ram or Chevy, but it’s still plenty bouncy. After all the rear is designed to carry weigjt and most of us don’t carry anything most of the time.

Additionally the eco diesel is a torque monster and it’ll spin the rear wheels, even with 37s if I’m to too heavy on the skinny pedal. My travel trailer has roughy a 360lb tongue weight and I can still spin the rear tires if I’m not careful.

Point is, some weight over the rear tires make it less bouncy and the tires have more traction and “rides better”.

 

[Kevin_D]

I don’t know about y’all but a couple hundred pounds in the rear makes mine handle a little better.

Agreed.
But when I get 1000 lbs. in the back, and 3 adults in the cab, it gets a bit floaty.
Reminds me of the ride in my ‘72 Imperial Lebaron.

Kevin

 

[Jefe1018]

Agreed.
But when I get 1000 lbs. in the back, and 3 adults in the cab, it gets a bit floaty.
Reminds me of the ride in my ‘72 Imperial Lebaron.

Kevin

Lol yes, I think you may have gotten the wrong size truck if you’re doing that more than a few times a year. Maybe the wrong size family? Ha! I’m joking if course.

 

[bailer]

So many level the front end to take the rake out. Then drive around with their butt dragging anytime they need to carry or tow something. This removable weight idea is more reasonable than a permanent level, and a common practice for several reasons including rake, traction, and ride.

 

[Kevin_D]

Lol yes, I think you may have gotten the wrong size truck if you’re doing that more than a few times a year. Maybe the wrong size family? Ha! I’m joking if course.

Yeah, this doesn’t happen often.
I’ve a bigger truck for real hauling…

lol

Kevin

 

[PsyRN]

Not sure that's the best solutions to that "problem", but I see what you're trying to get at. I've wondered if folks that put a leveling kit in, and then put a rack and RTT + gear, or a canopy camper, if they take the leveling kit out. I don't mind the rake, but I'm also getting a pop-up camper later this year, so i'm guessing it will level out some anyway.

 

[Dakotadad]

I ALWAYS haul a full load of sailboat fuel in the back of my Gladiator and it still has the dreaded rake! What am I to do!!

 

[dcmdon]

Not in my head. You can come drive my truck, I’m in Vegas some come make an excuse out of it? Ha!

Yes, weight distribution is a lot better in our truck than in that past but in all seriousness, with some weight in the bed the rear is more planted and not so bouncy over bumps. It’s not your 99 Ram or Chevy, but it’s still plenty bouncy. After all the rear is designed to carry weigjt and most of us don’t carry anything most of the time.

Additionally the eco diesel is a torque monster and it’ll spin the rear wheels, even with 37s if I’m to too heavy on the skinny pedal. My travel trailer has roughy a 360lb tongue weight and I can still spin the rear tires if I’m not careful.

Point is, some weight over the rear tires make it less bouncy and the tires have more traction and “rides better”.

I think part of it is that I have a Mojave. Its got soft springs and pretty stiff dampers. Its well sorted out with nothing in the bed.

 

[ecidiego]

I think part of it is that I have a Mojave. Its got soft springs and pretty stiff dampers. Its well sorted out with nothing in the bed.

Mojave crew checking in can confirm.

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