2016 3500 HD 4x4 SRW suspension upgrade

[DavidRansier]

I have a 2016 3500 HD LTZ Z71 4x4 Regular Bed that I will use to pull a 15,000 lb fifth wheel trailer. It was bought used, I didn’t chose the Z71 package. I’m looking for recomendations to upgrade the suspension. The Rancho shocks are pretty stiff making for a hard ride when running empty. I’m kind of new to the “truck thing”, so any help is appreciated.

 

My two thoughts are to go to different shocks, maybe the Bilstein B6 4600’s, or some other recommendation. I’m also considering adding Air Bags. The truck has the TorkLift StableLoad upgrade already.

 

Thanks for any suggestions,

David R

[Waaazooo]

I have a 2016 3500 HD LTZ Z71 4x4 Regular Bed that I will use to pull a 15,000 lb fifth wheel trailer. It was bought used, I didn’t chose the Z71 package. I’m looking for recomendations to upgrade the suspension. The Rancho shocks are pretty stiff making for a hard ride when running empty. I’m kind of new to the “truck thing”, so any help is appreciated.
 
My two thoughts are to go to different shocks, maybe the Bilstein B6 4600’s, or some other recommendation. I’m also considering adding Air Bags. The truck has the TorkLift StableLoad upgrade already.
 
Thanks for any suggestions,
David R

I don’t care for my Rancho shocks either. Airbags won’t make your ranchos and better. You’re going to have do both if you want both a better ride and a controlled ride height while towing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DavidRansier]

Thanks for the input. Someone suggested switching shocks to Bilstein B6 4600’s. Is that a ride improvement? And will it adversely affect towing a 5er? It’s always difficult to make change without a real-world test :-)

[Rvduck]

Hi, I put stableloads on my Dually so my 5000 pound camper does not make the truck squat. They are much better  than air bags which I had on several previous trucks. The stable loads do make your truck ride rougher when unloaded as they engage the overloads all the time. Possibly that is what is making your truck ride a little harsh. 

[redwngr]

When not towing, you can run lower rear tire pressures for improved ride. 

 

I wasn't familiar with the "TorkLift StableLoad upgrade" and how it affects ride loaded or when used as DD., so looked for a review --  as I understand it now they will make the overload springs engage sooner. (hence reducing sag, but making resulting in a stiffer ride)

 

Have you tried removing/disengaging the stableload for comparison both when loaded and unloaded? 

 

At a minimum, skip to the bottom of the article and read the conclusions:

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-reviews/torklift-international-stableload-quick-disconnect-install-and-review/

 

 

Edit: Over the years, I've spent way more time than I should on the 'duramax' sites, and haven't heard of these before, even though there is lots of suspension discussions.

[DavidRansier]

Thanks for the read. Interesting article about the StableLoads. A couple weeks ago I listened to TorkLift talk about them at an RV Show in Washington State. A few days after I got home I discovered we had them installed on the Chevy we had purchased a week earlier. Go figure! Now I need to visit TorkLift and find out exactly what I have and get information on how to engage/disengage it. I will also ask if air bags would change the ride any, or if that is a reasonable upgrade to consider.

 

Thanks again for your comments.

[redwngr]

Let us know what you learn when you try it with them off or disengaged.

 

Lots on the diesel forums think that an unloaded srw 3500 rides better than an unloaded 2500, because of the way the overload springs are set-up. 

 

Be great to hear your results.  

[DavidRansier]

 I will let you know but it’ll be next week before I can play with them because I’m on a mini vaca without the truck this week. :-)

[Cowpie]

When running around empty / not towing,  reducing the air pressure on the tires helps considerably.   Tire manufacturers have charts that show recommends pressures on their tires based on load on them.     All I ever did to my 2500 is lower the back with a set of McGaughy's shackles and put on some SumoSpring cellular foam suspension supports. Even with over a  ton of stuff in the back, the pickup sits level. When empty, I run about 50-55 psi all the way around.  Probably could do fine with even less PSI.  Considerably better deal than stock.

 

https://www.supersprings.com/products/sumosprings/

[DavidRansier]

I figured out how easy it is to engage/disengage the Stable Loads. The ride improved significantly once they were disengaged. I’m going to keep my current shocks and see how things change when I get the fifth wheel in the coming months. For now, TorkLift Stable Loads disengage without a load, engaged with a load. That’s going to work!