Rear Springs

cdlinstr · June 5, 2011

i have a 2011 silverado 1500 5.3 - 6 speed - 3.42 axle -hd cooling, the issue is when the rv trailer is placed on the hitch I need to tension the spring bars to the point where the combination will pogo while driving yet there is still a slight sag in the rear- the trailer has gvw of 7500lbs but is 2000lbs below 9600lbs factory rating the ball loading is between 10 and 15 % of that 7500lb gvw plus this weight is about a foot beyond the rear bumper which increases the effect of ball weight the 2 arched springs and flat spring under seems to light I have asked the dealer to replace the rear springs with the 4 plus 1 assembly or add 2 extra leafs, reply was he needed to contact the rep. the truck is 3 months old with only 1600 miles --------the question is has anyone had success in getting gm to add or replace the rrear springs, the tow ratings are overrated -- the tow rating for fifth wheel is also 9600lbs with again 10 to 15% in the bed ,just try and get away with that with the stock springs you need to adjust the headlights to see at night, sorry for that but buying a unit to do a job based on the published ratings one would expect they were correct Thanks Doug

Stevens03 · June 5, 2011

Maybe you need a bigger truck for the job? 5.3L with 3.42's doesn't exactly say HD It's a very capable truck if kept within the limits but if the springs are too soft, maybe you need a 2500 rather than a 1500. The 1500's tend to have soft springs for the ride quality but will carry the load GM states without issue.

sillywillie07 · June 5, 2011

I don't think they will add leaf springs, nor put new one in. I would suggest you look at some sort of helpers. I like my timbrens. Put them in and forget them, and lifetime warranty. The only down fall to timbrens is if you hit a big dip in the road unloaded you will feel the timbren restricked the suspension. Air bags have to have air adjusted for load. Just a thought.

Blue2500CC · June 10, 2011

Doug,

You said the GVW of the trailer is 7500lbs. Is that the weight loaded up, (food, fresh water, clothes, etc.) ready to hit the road for your trip? Or is that the max weight RATING of the trailer AND anything that CAN be added (ie: food, water, clothers, etc)? If that is the gtwR, then what does your trailer weigh reay to hit the road? Also, what does your truck weigh ready to go including all passengers without the trailer hooked up? How much weight does the load capacity sticker in your driver door jamb say your truck is rated to "carry"?

One thing I have learned in getting ready to set my hitch up on our new(ish) truck is that the vehicle manufactures and hitch manufactures now say to only bring the front of the truck back to unloaded height. The rear of the truck, and the trailer axles are suppose to carry most of the tongue weight, with the front only carrying about the stock weight. The one thing I still haven't learned YET is if the unloaded front height does include anything in the truck before hitching up, or if it is a completely "empty truck".

Chris

Fobroader · June 10, 2011

I have a trailer that is about the same weight as yours. I went to a 3/4 ton with 4.10 gears to pull the trailer. Couldnt imagine pulling that with a 1/2 ton(Vmax, HD towing...whatever the package). I learned a long time ago, if you stay around the 50-60% of the trucks towing capacity both you and the truck will lead a very happy and long life.

pwall · June 10, 2011

What are the weight ratings of the tension bars on your hitch? You may need heavier bars.

uh6tdrvr · June 17, 2011

He hasn't been back and may not be. Sounds like he either needs some over loads or a set of bags but his best option would have been an HD. He is probable still running the 4ply P tires too.....and all that at 80 on the interstate. The half will do all he is wanting, it just needs alittle help. Wonder if he is using a weight distribution hitch?

ERIE_ONE · August 2, 2011

I don't think they will add leaf springs, nor put new one in. I would suggest you look at some sort of helpers. I like my timbrens. Put them in and forget them, and lifetime warranty. The only down fall to timbrens is if you hit a big dip in the road unloaded you will feel the timbren restricked the suspension. Air bags have to have air adjusted for load. Just a thought.

Are the timbrens just a rubber stop or do they compress and work with the suspension? I'm on the fence between the timbrens or bags for my truck. We just put a set of bags on my friends 3/4 ton D-Max and its real spongy feeling. I like the idea of bags because you can alter the pressure / ride height loaded. Not sure what the "best" set up is.

wavery · August 2, 2011

I don't think they will add leaf springs, nor put new one in. I would suggest you look at some sort of helpers. I like my timbrens. Put them in and forget them, and lifetime warranty. The only down fall to timbrens is if you hit a big dip in the road unloaded you will feel the timbren restricked the suspension. Air bags have to have air adjusted for load. Just a thought.

Are the timbrens just a rubber stop or do they compress and work with the suspension? I'm on the fence between the timbrens or bags for my truck. We just put a set of bags on my friends 3/4 ton D-Max and its real spongy feeling. I like the idea of bags because you can alter the pressure / ride height loaded. Not sure what the "best" set up is.

http://www.timbren.com/

ERIE_ONE · August 2, 2011

I don't think they will add leaf springs, nor put new one in. I would suggest you look at some sort of helpers. I like my timbrens. Put them in and forget them, and lifetime warranty. The only down fall to timbrens is if you hit a big dip in the road unloaded you will feel the timbren restricked the suspension. Air bags have to have air adjusted for load. Just a thought.

Are the timbrens just a rubber stop or do they compress and work with the suspension? I'm on the fence between the timbrens or bags for my truck. We just put a set of bags on my friends 3/4 ton D-Max and its real spongy feeling. I like the idea of bags because you can alter the pressure / ride height loaded. Not sure what the "best" set up is.

http://www.timbren.com/

Thanks for the link. I went to the site several times and never noticed the darned videos on the front page DOH'

AirLiftCompany · August 4, 2011

You might tell your friend with the "spongy Dodge" to try adding more air. Up to the limits in the instructions, of course, but "spongy" is not normal.

sgtjetdrive · August 30, 2011

I have used the Timbrens in the past. They do work well. No air lines or bags to leak. The down side is you cannot adjust them without some sort of spacer. The ride is firm without being harsh if you install them correctly. Timbren stresses and I have to agree you need to have some distance between the Timbren spring and your axle when unloaded. Follow the instructions and they work great. Get them too close to the axle (unloaded) and your ride wil suffer. They are designed to not touch the axle until you load the truck and the rear settles a bit. If your truck is loaded all the time(construction,contractors) set them up to be in contact with the axle and you will get a better ride. I tow a toy hauler camper with a 2011 Silverado and carry gear/ firewood in the bed at the same time. I use a Reese dual cam weight dist hitch to do this and the truck handles great. I do however feel the truck sags a bit more than it should. I will add Timbrens soon to give me a better ride when loaded and towing.

AirLiftCompany · August 30, 2011

Tom, you're sure right on the installation instructions. We agree that a product like the Timbren is especially useful if you're loaded all the time (although we like air springs if you vary the load a lot, because of their adjustability). For your next truck, consider a product like Air Lift AirCell, or even one of the other brands made with microcellular urethane instead of the hard rubber of a Timbren. They support the load as well or better than the rubber, and especially if you have cold weather where you are, they offer a much more comfortable ride....

Mossyoakglock · September 30, 2011

Not sure if this has been mentioned, or a little off topic...

but will rear springs from a 2500 fit a 1500? I thought I remember reading that somewhere and that they will bolt up directly. Obviously it will make the ride a little more harsh and lift the rear but I guess it's a thought.

scz71864 · September 30, 2011

Not sure if this has been mentioned, or a little off topic...

but will rear springs from a 2500 fit a 1500? I thought I remember reading that somewhere and that they will bolt up directly. Obviously it will make the ride a little more harsh and lift the rear but I guess it's a thought.

im pretty sure they will not, i think they are wider leafs than the 1500's