Rear suspension help

[ib516]

1. No I'm not overloaded. 🙂
2. Now that we got that out of the way....I have the 2007 Dodge Ram 1500.
I tow a 17' hybrid TT. The TT has very limited storage and cargo carrying capacity. So, we load up the bed of the truck with camping junk like lawn chairs, generator, spare tires (2), bikes, and I also add a ladder rack and carry a kayak on top. There's just 2 adults in the truck. I also don't use a WD hitch since the TT only has a 350# tongue weight.

So the back end of the truck squats a little more than I'd like. My headlights aim high too because of this.

So I'm shopping for some help for the rear squat.

Here's a couple pics.

[ib516]

No I didn't. I'm sure they would be more (parts and labor) than timbrens.

[CampingN_C_]

I can't imagine the Timbrens NOT helping, plus it was the easiest/cheapest route. However, I'd bet that truck brand new wouldn't have as much squat. Have you priced new leafs?

[ib516]

For anyone considering Timbrens, when unloaded, the ride hasn't changed at all.

I was thinking I may be able to tell they were there over speed bumps or larger bumps on the freeway/highway, but I can't. I'm hitching up the trailer today to take it to a welding shop to get my battery tray made (installing 2 6Vs where there was one 12v). I'll post a few more thoughts again after that short tow.

[ib516]

Got them installed. I used the extra spacer and still have just over an inch until contact.

[Grit_dog]

BenK wrote:
If lots of miles on those leaf springs...consider having new ones made to your specification. Re-arch to make them a bit higher and maybe increase the spring rate on the secondary leaf or add an over load

Lowest cost is this after market coil (1 ton) helper springs. IIRC around $59 to $69 bucks back in the 80's


Click For Full-Size Image.

Did lose one coil hauling firewood (about 3,000 lbs is my guess) on a dirt road or rail road tracks on that dirt road and added those SS straps, which has lasted over 300,000 miles. Total with those helper springs is north of 400,000 miles

They use the bump stops to keep them located. Heater hose on the first coil and do need to replace them every few years. Less so these days as don't haul as much firewood nor pellets and am going to donate my 1980 Sliverado C10

THOSE are the coil helpers I was talking about above. Loved those things!

ib516, Timbrens are a good choice. Simple and effective and somewhat adjustable.

[ib516]

I decided on Timbrens. I will do some before and after measurements and do a report after I tow with them.

[hrose]

I think you should add lower stableloads its gonna level your truck and its gonna improve the way your truck ride while loaded.

Airbags on the other hand is only leveling

[BenK]

If lots of miles on those leaf springs...consider having new ones made to your specification. Re-arch to make them a bit higher and maybe increase the spring rate on the secondary leaf or add an over load

Lowest cost is this after market coil (1 ton) helper springs. IIRC around $59 to $69 bucks back in the 80's


Click For Full-Size Image.

Did lose one coil hauling firewood (about 3,000 lbs is my guess) on a dirt road or rail road tracks on that dirt road and added those SS straps, which has lasted over 300,000 miles. Total with those helper springs is north of 400,000 miles

They use the bump stops to keep them located. Heater hose on the first coil and do need to replace them every few years. Less so these days as don't haul as much firewood nor pellets and am going to donate my 1980 Sliverado C10

[TakingThe5th]

Consider having that tired spring stack re-arched and/or replace some leafs. Take it to a spring shop-can actually be a pretty cheap solution. Then take some of the above equalizer advise if needed. Those mods should keep your TV firmly planted on the road.

[skidooman93]

#1 on the air bags it will ride better when loaded VS the timbrens, however you will have to dump the air when not loaded to ride well

[larry_barnhart]

We added air bags on our dodge 2500 just to make it level. Not much was needed but I do not like a lower rear end. We towed a 32 ft Alfa Ideal. The bags worked great. chevman

[theoldwizard1]

Auxiliary air springs (a.k.a. air bags) are a good option because you can remove pressure when you are not loaded.

The cheap solution is to add another leaf to the stack. Any spring shop can do this. You WILL sit higher and have a rougher ride when empty.

[Grit_dog]

fj12ryder wrote:
Check your weight, I'm willing to bet that you're very close to being overloaded. With that much stuff in the truck it would be good to know if you're in danger of exceeding the weight limit of your tires.

Nope. Wasn't the "advice" that was asked for.

ib516, I've used most every type of rear suspension enhancement in a construction career, driving primarily 1/2 ton trucks that needed to play with the big boy tools every day.
Add a leaf type overloads work great, set it and forget it, and empty it just rides like a 3/4 ton. Timbrens type jounce bumpers work well also and they are somewhat adjustable depending on how high you shim them. Run em low for good empty ride and you get some sag before they engage. Run em high and they're pretty stiff.
Add on coils, (like Timbrens but little coil springs) were my favorite cheap and easy solution for a few trucks. Not as harsh as Timbres but good capacity. Haven't seen those around for a while though.
Air shocks, work for light duty scenarios, not a fan of putting load on shock mounts.
Airbags = the best of all the above options at a greater out of pocket cost for the ability to add capacity or make it disappear.
Wdh? Sure, but with the suspension mods you get the increased weight carrying ability ALL the time, not just w the camper.
Budget minded and ease of install and no maint, I'd be thinking Timbrens or Sumos.

[WNYBob]

I would try air bags, but get ones that have an internal bump stop, then you don't have to worry about a minimum air pressure.

Check my profile to see what I run.