Air Bags or Add a Leaf??

dorkweed · August 17, 2016

I don't yet have the truck in my signature set up in the bed for what I do. That said, I tow a work trailer around for my profession, and the tongue weight of the trailer puts the 2 leafs either side onto the bottom overload spring. Tongue weight on trailer about 400lbs.

It's not there yet; but I don't have the bed of this truck set up with the normal compliment of gear that I carry. I'm guessing fully loaded without the trailer hitched, it'd be 5-600lbs. in the bed of the truck. But right now without that in the bed, the trailer puts the spring pack on the "over-loads"!!

I'm leaning toward adding a leaf each side because of the weight I'll have in the bed normally. Then with the trailer hitched, I should be OK. I love the idea of air-bags, but they can be a serious pain in the DUPA over time!!!

What say y'all.

Andy Seibel · August 17, 2016

I can't believe you are on the overload springs with only #400 trailer tongue weight. That's like having two men sit on the tailgate. Have you weighed the trailer? Are you sure you can't readjust the junk in the trailer to reduce the tongue weight a bit?

That said, I have Hellwig helper springs to help carry my extra ballast weight for plowing. They are very cheap and easy to install. I'm a fan, have had them on this truck and my previous 1998.

A lot of people who carry serious weight seem to like the airbags, though I have never used them.

LongrangeLauber · August 17, 2016

+1 on the helwig helper springs. For what you do it seems like it'll fit the bill and you can adjust the u bolts so they provide a stock ride and then "engage" when the stock Springs start to take load

cmysstailights · August 17, 2016

I did the air bags with auto sensor. Love it, works great and def worth the money

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sdeeter19555 · August 18, 2016

Air bags are the same as used on HD over the road trucks...they will last as long as you have the truck with ease. I had Firestone Ride-Rites installed for nearly 300k miles, never had an issue.

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dorkweed · August 18, 2016

I can't believe you are on the overload springs with only #400 trailer tongue weight. That's like having two men sit on the tailgate. Have you weighed the trailer? Are you sure you can't readjust the junk in the trailer to reduce the tongue weight a bit?

That said, I have Hellwig helper springs to help carry my extra ballast weight for plowing. They are very cheap and easy to install. I'm a fan, have had them on this truck and my previous 1998.

A lot of people who carry serious weight seem to like the airbags, though I have never used them.

Truck bed is not totally empty.....................

1. Camper shell............appox. 200#..............I asked on the weight.

2. Line-X bed liner..............appox. 40# per 8ft. bed..............I asked also.

3. Plan on having at least another 400# in the bed all the time; and then more when I add my dogs into their crates.

4. Then my work trailer gets added. I can possibly reduce the tongue weight slightly, but not much.

The Hellwig helpers look good.

Donstar · August 18, 2016

Another option is to check out a local "spring and axle" shop to see what they have to offer. I have two of these businesses close to where I live so it must be a common speciality. I went to one of these shops with my last truck and they set me up with stronger leaf springs without sacrificing my ride quality. They also fabricated springs for a 50 yr old homemade utility trailer that I own. I recently inquired about adding a leaf to add height and they can do this at good price and set to a height of my choice. - just a suggestion...

2016 Sierra Owner · August 18, 2016

I'd do airbags instead of the extra leaf. The bags are adjustable where as the leaf not so much.

arcasey · August 18, 2016

I'd go air bags. I put a set on my dad's 98 3500 with a flatbed dump body that we use to haul rocks and dirt and we love them. More adjustability than adding a leaf spring and when your not hauling you can still somewhat maintain the factory ride. Been running the same airbag set for over 5 years now without issues.

dorkweed · August 18, 2016

Did some measurements today guys. Hitching up my work trailer drops my truck a fracas under 3" measured from the ground to the top of the hitch receiver. Get some "porposing" of the truck and trailer while driving around also. With the trailer hitched, I've got less than 1.5" until the axle will contact the bumpstop. I really think an extra leaf or 2 each side is in order here; because as I posted earlier, I don't yet have all the "normal" stuff in my truck that I normally carry.

cmysstailights · August 18, 2016

If you do the airbags with the sensor it only dills when needed. Ride is great and when deflated back to stock ride.

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Andy Seibel · August 18, 2016

It sounds like you need some serious suspension help for the weight you want to be carrying. I think I would just do airbags in your situation.

keep in mind whatever you add will alter the truck's ride when empty. If you only use this thing for work, it probably doesn't matter much. But if you ditch the trailer and ride around with the wife and kids, they may not like the ride after adding 2 leaf springs.

sdeeter19555 · August 19, 2016

Another option to springs would be Timbrens since you're already going to be stiff.

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dorkweed · August 23, 2016

Ordered a set of Firestone airbags. Will let y'all know how it goes.

Rkaroll953 · August 24, 2016

my 1000lb quad squats the truck but noowhere near the overload springs idk how 400 does. i got some sumo springs and they have been working great so far for my towing. much less body roll also. air bags will work great too.