[nubiecanobie]

Pls let me know if this should be in the towing and hauling forum instead and I'll move it.

My van is a 1 ton extended 7.3. When empty, how much can it carry? Never sure what 1 ton is. Would that be 2000, 2200 or 2240 lbs?

What's the weight distribution of the extended van when empty and how should I distribute the load?

If I want to go on a 3000 mile + long trip after wvo conversion, I will want to carry four 55 gal barrels of oil that will weigh approx 1500 lbs. How should that weight be distributed for best handling/ safety? Should they go between the axles? Over the rear axle? Or aft of the rear axle?

 

[Mr_Roboto]

Ignore the "1 ton" it doesn't mean anything. Get your truck's axles weighed. This will tell you each axle weight and your total weight (add them together). Any truck stop will have a scale and they will weigh you for a nominal fee. (when I drove truck it was something like 6 bucks).

Now look on your door, there is a sticker that lists your GVWR (total weight limit) FAWR (front axle limit) and RAWR (rear axle limit).

Subtract the actual empty weights from these limits and that is how much weight you can add to the truck.

You will want to center your weight over or a little forward of the rear axle. Centering the weight behind the rear axle would take weight off of the front axle, and you don't want that. You need weight on the front axle for steering and braking.