Forum Discussion

rockwind1's avatar
rockwind1
Explorer II
Nov 16, 2020

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

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.
  • bucky's avatar
    bucky
    Explorer II
    Nov 16, 2020
    Along with the pin weight some info on the truck would be helpful.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Nov 16, 2020
    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.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Nov 16, 2020
    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
  • rockwind1's avatar
    rockwind1
    Explorer II
    Nov 17, 2020
    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
  • rockwind1's avatar
    rockwind1
    Explorer II
    Nov 17, 2020
    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.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Nov 17, 2020
    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.

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