Mods to Increase Tow Capacity

[HTXSlate]

So, my jet ski and trailer weigh 1275 lbs. dry. Add another 50 lbs. for fuel and gear.

Are there any mods to be done to increase the towing capacity from 1,000 to say 1,400?????

Finds some after market suspension parts, higher rated hitch, etc????

I know an almost 50% increase is asking a lot, but maybe???

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

from what i can guess it comes down to frame material, suspension, breaks, and the receiver style

 

[EV Trek]

from what i can guess it comes down to frame material, suspension, breaks, and the receiver style

Don’t forget motor and battery cooling

 

[HTXSlate]

My my internet research, nope. Not going to happen.

 

[Revenant89]

So, my jet ski and trailer weigh 1275 lbs. dry. Add another 50 lbs. for fuel and gear.

Are there any mods to be done to increase the towing capacity from 1,000 to say 1,400?????

Finds some after market suspension parts, higher rated hitch, etc????

I know an almost 50% increase is asking a lot, but maybe???

Trailer brakes if you're concerned about it.. I don't know that I would be.

 

[Trace26]

Strength the connection between the hitch and suspension.
Increase cooling.
Those are probably the two main things.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Here is what Slate has to say about towing:

How Much Can A Slate Tow

 

[DT444T]

So, my jet ski and trailer weigh 1275 lbs. dry. Add another 50 lbs. for fuel and gear.

Are there any mods to be done to increase the towing capacity from 1,000 to say 1,400?????

Finds some after market suspension parts, higher rated hitch, etc????

I know an almost 50% increase is asking a lot, but maybe???

No aftermarket part can increase your payload or tow capacity. Period.

Helper springs do not increase capacity.
Air bags do not increase capacity.
Heavier tires do not increas capacity.

Period.

And please stop using multiple quesiton marks in a question. One is sufficient.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Don’t forget motor and battery cooling

true but i wonder the core count of the slate radiator I'm betting 2 could upgrade to a 4 core with a more powerful fan if they are using one and i bet the battery loose wouldn't matter to much with a bigger fan depending.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

Alright, I'll play devil's advocate here. I'm willing to bet you couldn't tell the difference between 1000lbs and 1400lbs behind a 3600lb+ truck.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

No aftermarket part can increase your payload or tow capacity. Period.

Helper springs do not increase capacity.
Air bags do not increase capacity.
Heavier tires do not increas capacity.

Period.

And please stop using multiple quesiton marks in a question. One is sufficient.

not true reinforcing the frame and adding higher rated components would definitely upgrade that capacity but by how much would be the question and where would the stress point be. i think the main issue is that rear end suspension set up. but i have also seen people weld a hitch to well my car now 1972 ford galaxie and use it so really the sky's the limit plus safety would also be a concern that's when testing would come into play before full use.

 

[DT444T]

not true reinforcing the frame and adding higher rated components would definitely upgrade that capacity but by how much would be the question and where would the stress point be. i think the main issue is that rear end suspension set up. but i have also seen people weld a hitch to well my car now 1972 ford galaxie and use it so really the sky's the limit plus safety would also be a concern that's when testing would come into play before full use.

Anecdotes.
These do NOT increase the rated capacity. Just because someone did it does not make it legal.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Alright, I'll play devil's advocate here. I'm willing to bet you couldn't tell the difference between 1000lbs and 1400lbs behind a 3600lb+ truck.

i will have to see i have a small trailer that if i load the mower onto it could be at that 1000 mark or close to it, then add tarps of grass maybe 7 or 8 might put it at that 1,400. but it would also come down to handling or if your tires skid. had that happen once was not fun.

 

[kvermeer]

So, my jet ski and trailer weigh 1275 lbs. dry. Add another 50 lbs. for fuel and gear.

Are there any mods to be done to increase the towing capacity from 1,000 to say 1,400?????

Finds some after market suspension parts, higher rated hitch, etc????

I know an almost 50% increase is asking a lot, but maybe???

Honestly, you're probably fine, as long as you don't try to tow your jet ski up a mountain pass in Arizona on the hottest day of the year with the A/C blasting. The standard towing tests are absurd, and part of the reason modern trucks are so gargantuan and overpowered.

I wish it was easier to reinforce the rear subframe for strength, but I expect you're on your own there... just try to keep the weight as close to the axle as possible with your hitch setup, no receiver extensions or crazy lift/lowering. A weight distribution hitch would help with the moment loads, but probably isn't necessary for a jet ski trailer.

Trailer brakes are good insurance.

I would have had no qualms about towing a jet ski (didn't have one of those, but we did have a little pontoon boat that weighed about that much) with my anemic 1993 Ford Ranger and a ball on the bumper. Dealing with the anemic 85HP 4-cylinder, manual transmission, bald college kid tires, and RWD setup on an algae-covered ramp took some doing, and I have no doubt that SAE J2807 would've said it couldn't be done. That was WAY less truck than Slate will be - 1/3rd the torque, weight a thousand pounds less, rear drum brakes, long box was more truck but weight distribution was awful....

Don't quote me on it, but I'd send that jet ski without worrying if I was you.

 

[Revenant89]

Why are we concerned with reinforcing the truck? Even a class 1 hitch on a compact car can tow 2,000 lbs. The issues are potentially overheating the powertrain or stopping the load.