I have a 2001 Dodge 4x4 diesel. I recently bought a heavier horse trailer with living quarters. I have not taken it to weigh it, but the paper work says that it weighed 5,000 lbs before the living quarters was installed. When I tow it, the nose of my truck is up. Also, when I go over a bump it sounds like I am bottoming out. I took it to the truck/RV dealer near me and he said that I should replace my leaf springs before I try installing air bags (Ride Rites). He said that I have standard leaf springs with an overload (which looks like two more leaf springs to me). He said that because the existing leaf springs are not in a smile and are almost in a frown position that he suspects they are wearing out.

He called me back later to say that Dodge says that factory leaf springs are rated for 1700 lbs per side and that he had a price of ~$400 per side for new ones that were rated for 2850 lbs per side.

He suggested replacing the leaf springs first, then if it isn't enough he says he can remove the overload springs and install the ride rites. When it is all said and done I will have spent almost $2,000.

You probably have guessed that I am not planning on doing any work myself; however, I am trying to make an informed decision. I have a couple friends who installed the air bags and are very happy - so I was confused when the shop started talking about my leaf springs. I know that you have all warned about the really stiff ride you will get all the time with a heaftier leaf spring instead of the air bag option.

Perhaps I should just tell them to forget the upgrade to the leaf springs and just remove the overload spring and install the air bags...

I attached a picture of the trailer.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

That trailer probably doesnt weight more tahn 7K with teh LQ... shouldnt be too much of a problem..
I have the Air-Ride bags adn they do make a huge difference when I hook up my LQ 3 horse. The title on it says it weights 9880 empty, so I figure with all our gear and the horses, I am probably around 11-12 K fully loaded.

15psi in each bag, and the truck sits at teh same level as if empty.
When I FULLY load the trailer down, i put about 50psi in it and it rides real nice.
I'd put the moeny into Air-bags IMHO

 

Thank you for the reply.
I also forgot to mention that my truck is a 2500 in case any one wants to know.

 

Well, that does make a difference, from what I understand( and that is not always much) the 3/4 tons do have a lighter spring pack than my one-ton does...
might want to wait and get some more and possibly better advise........you might also ask this question of a few of teh second gen guys.. they may have more specific info on it.

 

You might want to get in touch with Thuren Fabrication. He offers a replacement spring pack and mini-pack suspension. As I understand it, the replacement/mini-pack combo will increase your capacity substantially, equivalent to the 1-tons. He also recommends the use of the ride rites after you change out the springs. There are several people here who have changed over to the Thuren products that are very satisfied with the upgrades they made.

CD

 

I dunno fellas,I get about the same sag,with my 01' 3500 and ma's 00 2500,them springs are close.
I'd vote airbags,I love mine.

 

I don't know where my reply went, but I don't see it. I didn't see the thumbnail at first and suggested a wdh.

I see now it's GN. Does your truck have the extra leaf springs? Not all 2500's got them.

The tires look awful close to the tail. I'd bet you do really have a very high % of overall weight on the hitch. Any possibility of moving the ball forward an inch or two? You need some weight transfer.

You really need to get it weighed too. Overall weight and pin weight. How fancy was the inside built? Heavy cabinets? Ice Maker? All that add up real fast. Do you tow with full water tanks? Water add a ton of weight.

 

i would look at the timberlines they are awesome they allow a normal ride empty and will not let it go below level no matter what load you have on and thier is no mantaince to do and the price is around 200.00 dollars lots of commercial guys run them for load capacity and no worries long term or maintaince go to truckspring.com they have them and all the tech info.

 

We would highly suggest SuperSprings.com

 

Did you ask for those axles to be placed that far back?

 

Unfortunately, this is a 1996 and I just bought it last year. So this is the design that Hart uses.

 

I have a 2007 2500 and I pull a LQ 3H with a 14' shortwall. 9000 empty so with horses and gear, about12000. I use the ride rites and it hauls great.

 

I haul a 6 horse slant load trailer with a small living quarter in the front. The trailer dead empty weighs 5400 lbs. My truck is an 02 and has the camper, payload and towing packages with Firestone air bags as well.

The attached pic shows my truck/trailer combo. The box of the truck is empty but the trailer has 4-800lb 4x4 ATV's in it. Yes the rear of the trailer sits a little low, that will be changed with blocks, but the truck sits level. The air bags are at 40 psi.

I have had the trailer loaded with 6 full grown horses, about 18 hands high each and it still sits about the same with 40 psi in the bags.

Go with air bags, you won't regret it.

Jeff

 

Do either of you (Roperteacher or Homestead) know what you have for leaf springs? Like I said earlier, the shop wants to replace the springs before putting the air bags on. Also the air bags will not fit in unless the over springs are removed.

 

You are wrong ,, I have a 96 2500 with factory overloads and I have Ride-Rite airbags and never had to remove the overloads. Just order the kit that has the factory overloads and all bolt in nice,, and work amazing.