Springs F 350

[MOAK]

I’ve been looking at different ways to account for a constant 2200 lb load on my F-350 with a Grandy pop up on an aluminum flatbed. Carli suspension? I cannot justify the cost. Their products are made and put together by Deaver by quite basically adding leafs to the OEM springs packs. Air bags? Why airbags with a constant load? Yes, I’m in a bit of a quandary. Building out the suspension on my 80 series was easy using OME products and utilizing the proper spring rates to carry the load. I’m just under the GVWR and only seek to get the load up and off of the helper springs. Currently I installed 2” blocks to improve the stance. Anyone have any idea about leafs, part #s etc to attain my goal? Air bags? Pro & cons. ( off road articulation/blow outs/leaks ) Thanks in advance for the conversation.

 

[BajaSurfRig]

I would go to your local spring manufacturer and have them make a custom leaf pack for your constant weight (confirm weight at a CAT scale before doing this). Axle wrap will decrease if you remove all lift blocks between the axle and leaf pack.

 

[rruff]

Which year and model do you have, how many miles, and what do the springs look like?

I've exchanged a 4 leaf pack (Boise Spring) for the single overload last fall, and just added an additional long leaf (TruckSpring). The 4 leaf pack matches the other leafs, so I have no overload now, and it's much better. Air bags with the cradle were very bouncy IME, so I wanted to get away from those. I have 8 leafs on each side now, from 9 to 11mm thick. Adding leafs is a better way to gain capacity, but they must be arched to match your stock ones and no thicker, else they will be over stressed and sag pretty quickly. Add-a-leaf kits or spring packs that advertise a lift will usually be arched more.

 

[andy_b]

Only your wallet will be disappointed if you buy custom springs. As Baja surfer mentioned, you should be considering custom springs, not off the shelf Deavers or Carli’s. Apart from the camper itself, they were some of the best mods I have done for any of our trucks.

 

[MOAK]

Which year and model do you have, how many miles, and what do the springs look like?

I've exchanged a 4 leaf pack (Boise Spring) for the single overload last fall, and just added an additional long leaf (TruckSpring). The 4 leaf pack matches the other leafs, so I have no overload now, and it's much better. Air bags with the cradle were very bouncy IME, so I wanted to get away from those. I have 8 leafs on each side now, from 9 to 11mm thick. Adding leafs is a better way to gain capacity, but they must be arched to match your stock ones and no thicker, else they will be over stressed and sag pretty quickly. Add-a-leaf kits or spring packs that advertise a lift will usually be arched more.

2024- 22000 miles on it- the springs are in great shape, but the overload spring is making contact. The right kind of swale in the road causes porpoising . So if Deaver says, bring it in, we’ll set you up- that’s probably the way to go, as Jeff does make custom springs that match the OEM. I feel the same about air bags, too bouncy and swaying.

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

Been there 20 years.
Cheaper and much more reliable than air bags for a fixed load.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

 

[renottse]

Alternative observation with respect to height and control, or static and dynamic situations.

Agreed with what the boys have suggested if the camper never comes off, custom leafs, weight will be accounted for and height will where you want it.

Mine does come off, so airbags. Went with 7500 load lifter so I can run lower pressure and get the support needed and they have 11” extension so no cradles needed as I only have 6-7 inches of full droop.

Fully loaded (and I mean everything and everyone, including the dog) rear axle weight scales in at 6800 lbs.

25 psi and I’m all level. Static sorted for me.

Dynamic is the porpoising and that’s a shock absorber selection and it’s tuning opportunity. Many avenues and their applicable budgets are in play at that stage, you know what you want for ride, so it’s then conversations with the vendors.

Me, Fox 2.5 DSC front and rear, re-valved by the aftermarket. Very nice and order of magnitude more capable than stock.

all the best.

 

[rruff]

Dynamic is the porpoising and that’s a shock absorber selection and it’s tuning opportunity. Many avenues and their applicable budgets are in play at that stage, you know what you want for ride, so it’s then conversations with the vendors.

I'm sure shocks can help, but getting rid of the bags and overload helped a lot.

My truck porpoised badly with stock shocks and empty. With better shocks and empty, it improved a little. With the camper and airbags at 30 psi it was the worst. With 5 leafs added (8 on each side now), and overload and bags removed, it's fine.

 

[carterd]

This thread has some related content that may be helpful: https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/2016-f-250-rear-springs-deaver-or-alcan.241335/