G'day all,

Presently driving an 04 3500 dually, HO, all the options except "fanny furnace". I need to know what the rear leaf spring compression ratio is, ie, how much will the rear of the truck drop for a given weight. The 01 Ferd 350 dually I HAD, would drop aprox 1 " for every 650# that was put into the bed. The pin wt. on my 5er is aprox. 2500# when the trailer is fully loaded (12,700# GVWR )

Thanks in advance for any/all replys

Geof

 

Thats great! I'd never heard that one before.

Rich

 

I'm just full of `em..or is it full of IT. Anyway, sure hope I can find an answer to my question...scheduled to have my hitch installed on wednesday...gona be real unhappy if I need to have the truck lowered. Don't even think about askin me if I thought about puttin the axles on top of the springs..the trailer is already 12' 9".


[quote author=DieselDaze
link=board=11;threadid=22162;start=0#msg207389 date=1068322312]

Thats great! I'd never heard that one before.

Rich

 

Well why don't you take your"fiver" and drop it in the bed. measure how much it wend down, and then you could tell us??

 

err, I'm going to "drop it in the bed" prior to installing the hitch..not an option...

[quote author=y-knot link=board=11;threadid=22162;start=0#msg207451 date=1068333338]
Well why don't you take your"fiver" and drop it in the bed. measure how much it wend down, and then you could tell us??
[/quote]

 

My 5vr with about 2300 pounds pin weight makes my truck sit level. I think it hits the overloads and then it doesn't drop anymore. If it drops after it hits the overloads I can't tell it. It's a 2wd.

 

Thanks for the info,

I hope I have the same results..if the truck levels out I'll be all set.
Thanks again.


[quote author=c5racer link=board=11;threadid=22162;start=0#msg207482 date=1068339251]
My 5vr with about 2300 pounds pin weight makes my truck sit level. I think it hits the overloads and then it doesn't drop anymore. If it drops after it hits the overloads I can't tell it. It's a 2wd.
[/quote]

 

The rear springs on the newer trucks utilize what are referred to as variable rate taper leaf springs, therefore the amount of compression should decrease with additional weights of the same amount. The spring manufacturer (jobber) for DC would be the one to supply the rate specs or a spring shop that supplies replacement springs. Not exactly the answer you were looking for but hope it helps some.

 

It does (help)...thanks


[quote author=P Kennedy link=board=11;threadid=22162;start=0#msg208003 date=1068479857]
The rear springs on the newer trucks utilize what are referred to as variable rate taper leaf springs, therefore the amount of compression should decrease with additional weights of the same amount. The spring manufacturer (jobber) for DC would be the one to supply the rate specs or a spring shop that supplies replacement springs. Not exactly the answer you were looking for but hope it helps some.
[/quote]

 

5000# of camper, which loads the rear axle with additional 4500# makes mine sit just level and just touching the overloads.

 

Thanks for the reply,

Finally had time to put the 5th wheel pin on some blocks in the back of the truck..bad results in that the truck dropped 3". and the trailer was a tad "off level. The blocks in the bed were about 3 inches below the height of the hitch(when it is installed). Looks like I'll have to "flip the axles" ..don't really want to do that as the trailer is now 12'9"..putting the springs on top of the axles will result in a height of aprax 13'1"..hope there aren't any low underpasses on I-81/84/95 north >




[quote author=Rattletrap1 link=board=11;threadid=22162;start=0#msg209259 date=1068741385]
5000# of camper, which loads the rear axle with additional 4500# makes mine sit just level and just touching the overloads.
[/quote]

 

My 4x4 as about 4" blocks between axle and spring. If you do...maybe you can remove.

 

Seems that the 03-04's only have a 1.7" space set..I WILL remove those..but I think the truck will still be too high...net option will be the bottom overload leaf

Geof

[quote author=Rattletrap1 link=board=11;threadid=22162;start=0#msg209308 date=1068749668]
My 4x4 as about 4" blocks between axle and spring. If you do...maybe you can remove.
[/quote]

 

[quote author=geof link=board=11;threadid=22162;start=0#msg209276 date=1068743011]Finally had time to put the 5th wheel pin on some blocks in the back of the truck...
[/quote]

Not to nit pick...but I thought you said that wasn't an option?? ???

 

hmmm..(nit pick mode on)..t'was a reply to the below reply to my original post.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well why don't you take your"fiver" and drop it in the bed. measure how much it wend down, and then you could tell us??

[quote author=Hoss link=board=11;threadid=22162;start=0#msg209597 date=1068823444]
[quote author=geof link=board=11;threadid=22162;start=0#msg209276 date=1068743011]Finally had time to put the 5th wheel pin on some blocks in the back of the truck...
[/quote]

Not to nit pick...but I thought you said that wasn't an option?? ???
[/quote]