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are my truck leaf springs shot? f350 2001 srw 4x4

rockwind1
Explorer II
Explorer II
when i lower my 33ft attitude toyhauler onto my b&w companion hitch,, my truck settles right at 3". it seems like a lot. i have a 2001 f350 super duty diesel, 7.3L) 4wd 4 door SWR (single rear wheel)

my gvwr is 9900 lb my front axle is 5200lb, my rear axle is 6830lb with my stock tires 265/70 r17

i am very close to putting in an airbag system. my trailer had been angled forward when towing and putting too much weight on front axle i discovered. i raised my hitch to it's max,, but i still need another 1" or 2 up to make the trailer level. it is a higher than normal trailer suspension wise. will air bags keep my truck from sinking a total of 3" inches,,,

with airbags,, do you want to inflate them so there is no sinking at all? or just a bit,, in my case about 1 1/2 inch would be just right,, of sinking that is .

no, i do not know weight of fifth wheel "tongue" weight. my truck sits with bed higher than front when just normally unweighted. wondering if my springs have aged.
9 REPLIES 9

Old-Biscuit
Explorer
Explorer
Contact Hanson Enterprises Fleet Repair in Camp Verde


Contact Skips Springs Service in Las Vegas
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

JIMNLIN
Explorer
Explorer
rockwind1 wrote:
JIMNLIN wrote:
The trailers pin weight plus other stuff in the bed and back of the cab can overload your F350 FRW 6300-6700 RAWR. RAWR = a tire/wheel/rear spring pack. We can't tell you if the rear springs are shot. I would say if its had a heavy truck camper on it all these years then I would think about replacing the rear spring packs ...or a air bag system.
Like any truck/vehicle you need to weigh the axles when loaded. Then decide what action to take.
I would also check with our truck camper forum as these guys/gals carry lots more weight 24/7 than the hitch load from a rv trailer.


it has not had a heavy camper on it all these years,, probably 30k miles of towing my fifth wheel,, i do not know the pin weight.

Then I would go with old biscuits reply.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers

'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 two slides

rockwind1
Explorer II
Explorer II
JIMNLIN wrote:
The trailers pin weight plus other stuff in the bed and back of the cab can overload your F350 FRW 6300-6700 RAWR. RAWR = a tire/wheel/rear spring pack. We can't tell you if the rear springs are shot. I would say if its had a heavy truck camper on it all these years then I would think about replacing the rear spring packs ...or a air bag system.
Like any truck/vehicle you need to weigh the axles when loaded. Then decide what action to take.
I would also check with our truck camper forum as these guys/gals carry lots more weight 24/7 than the hitch load from a rv trailer.


it has not had a heavy camper on it all these years,, probably 30k miles of towing my fifth wheel,, i do not know the pin weight.

rockwind1
Explorer II
Explorer II
bucky wrote:
Along with the pin weight some info on the truck would be helpful.


hi, sorry,,, i guess i should have, i edited my above post and here is info

i have a 2001 f350 super duty diesel, 7.3L) 4wd 4 door SWR (single rear wheel)

my gvwr is 9900 lb my front axle is 5200lb, my rear axle is 6830lb with my stock tires 265/70 r17

Old-Biscuit
Explorer
Explorer
Take truck to Spring shop (just goggle one for your area) and have the rear leaf springs 're-ached'

Yes 19 yr old leaf springs that have been subject to heavy load (pin weight etc) will cause then to 'flatten'

Just re-arch then ...maybe have one additional short leaf added
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

JIMNLIN
Explorer
Explorer
The trailers pin weight plus other stuff in the bed and back of the cab can overload your F350 FRW 6300-6700 RAWR. RAWR = a tire/wheel/rear spring pack. We can't tell you if the rear springs are shot. I would say if its had a heavy truck camper on it all these years then I would think about replacing the rear spring packs ...or a air bag system.
Like any truck/vehicle you need to weigh the axles when loaded. Then decide what action to take.
I would also check with our truck camper forum as these guys/gals carry lots more weight 24/7 than the hitch load from a rv trailer.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers

'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 two slides

bucky
Explorer II
Explorer II
Along with the pin weight some info on the truck would be helpful.
Puma 30RKSS

rhagfo
Explorer
Explorer
Question, how much does your pin weigh?
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

stickdog
Explorer
Explorer
I've seen a lot of things sag after 19 years even springs.
9-11 WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
FULLTIME SINCE 2010
17 DRV MS 36rssb3
17 F350 King Ranch CC DRW 4x4 6.7 4:10 B&W hitch
John
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” Lao Tzu