Haven't had a chance to load my truck or tow with it but was curious how much weight does it take to get the spring pads down onto the helper springs? It looks like there is about 3" between the springs and the spring pads on the frame. Also thinking that the main springs would be completely flat or bowed backwards by the time the helper springs kick in? Yes or No?

 

about 2 tons will get you well on your way


3.5 tons is pretty loaded


cow minerals are very dense

 

My fiver's tongue weight is 2500 and it puts it down on the overload springs on my 03. The main springs aren't flat when it's on there.

 

Right at 1 ton will make the overload springs on top of the axel just touch the pads.

If you plan on a heavier load over long distances I'd look into air bags.

Rick

 

My current (and relatively) light load of 5k will make the overloads just start to touch on the '06. I know it might be loaded a little tongue heavy, but hard to imagine I have 2k or more of tongue weight on there. I would estimate 1k tops, and that seems to be where the overloads just start to make contact.

 

I'm guessing my tongue weight will be 800-1,000lbs. So the pads will be barely touching the springs? Sounds like a rough ride on bumpy roads since the pads will ocassionally hit the springs. I thought of trying to find thicker pads that would contact the overloads a little sooner and therefore have continuous contact when towing. What do you think?

 

That's exactly how it is with mine. The trailer is just enough to contact the overloads but not enough to really compress them, so bumps are rougher than normal. I think there was recently a post here (or maybe it was TDR) where someone installed the exact pads you're talking about. They were taller and softer than stock.

I'm going to try air bags instead. Should do the same thing and help keep it leveled when towing.

 

Same thing here. The overloads contact on bumps really jerks you around. I was thinking of removing the overloads and installing air bags, or even building a softer spring pack with the airbags. Have to do somthing though.

 

MoparNut,

I've got the same vehicle. Look at my pic: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...0&ppuser=44708

Notice it was sagging pretty good. My pin weight is 2443 lbs. It was well onto the overloads. After this picture, I added the Timbren springs and it now rides level, off the overloads, and very smooth.

 

Yeah, I would estimate only 1000-1200lbs will get the overloads touching. A ton and you'll definitely be sagging if you have a leveling kit.

Speaking of Timbrens, any reason to choose them over air bags?

 

one word for you timbren . simple easy to install and they work perfect. put them on an never worry about them again.no air to worry about .

 

Where do you get them at? I would like to level my truck when I'm pulling the fiver.

 

That's the thing, I don't think they help as much with leveling. Air bags are idea because they're adjustable. I just don't see how the Timbrens can keep you truly leveled AND not adversely affect the ride while empty.

 

www.timbren.com

I almost bought a set off ebay for cheap but didn't win. They don't effect the ride while empty as they are about 1/4 in off from touching anything unloaded when installed.

As for keeping you TRULY leveled I think air bags are the way as you can adjust based on load. The Timbrens are basically a rubber "spring" and will help offset load but may not keep you truly leveled.

 

I had 2 tons on today and the back was level but I had 75 psi in the bags! I saw Timbrens for the first time about a month ago ! Dad and I tried every kind of Mickey Mouse, factory and homemade suspension helper gadgets on the farm stuff over 40 years ago. Timbrens are dandy if you want to keep the back end from sagging as much. I can see how they MIGHT even help the ride a bit by keeping the main spring stack from hitting the bottom OL spring as soon. I took my bottom OLs out. I'd MUCH rather worry about the air. What a terrible problem... sitting in the cab, fine tuning the leveling and ride. I wish all my problems were like that! Craig