Leaf springs vs air bags help me out please

I dont see how it could be overweight it has a lot less stuff in it than it did even from the factory? It's a very simple camper van and I don't plan on ever towing anything with it esp not a car. Having to tow a car would defeat the purpose of having a small camper van that fits in a regular parking spot. Where do I even find scales and what it is supposed to weigh?

ScottG wrote:
Even if it were overweight, it wont be any more dangerous with bags.

It would be if it gave him the illusion that all was now good, so he would not take it easy. Now it is level, he might even add more weight by towing car or whatever.

Even if it were overweight, it wont be any more dangerous with bags.

You are just guessing! IMO get on the scales and then you will have some facts to work from after that. It may not be so bad after all-- or it may be worse! You need some actual facts.

I think perhaps as DrewE suggested my leaf springs are supposed to be kinda flat. This rig was built by born free one of the best rv builders out there and then sent to quigley who are one of the best suspension and 4x4 conversion companies in existence. It's a small 20' E350 Dually and if anything I have stripped a bunch of weight from OEM. I highly doubt this rig is over weight, I have hardly any appliances and no water fresh, gray or black. The back is sitting a little lower than it should IMO. I think 1 of 2 things: either the suspension is wore out a bit and needs upgrade, or this is how it looked the day it was born lol. This is what got me looking at air bags or spring replacement. I dont even know do springs wear out over time or just shocks?

Conversions are interesting but you haven’t stated whether you are on, under or over weight. What is it? Hopefully you won’t say that you don’t know your weight and/or capacity. Next, your tires are rated for?

Not sure I have this right. The OP says his springs are flat. Unless the springs are weak since new somehow, does that not mean he is way over-weight at the back?

Ride-Rites might get him level, don't know, but won't do a thing about any weight problem, or make him safer if there is one. If the springs are flat--what is going on with the tires? Yipes!

I have Ride Rites on Quicksilver, and for varying loads keeping same comfort level they are a wonder. But Quicksilver has the advantage of an engine air compressor for air brakes, and an auto fill system for the four rear air bags. Dial in 90 and it stays there. Spoiled me to death.

At least on the '98 E-SuperDuty, the rear leaf springs are by design rather flat rather than obviously elliptical like most leaf springs are. I don't know if the E350 is similar or not, but it's entirely possible that the springs aren't supposed to be vastly different even when the rear end isn't sagging.

I have Ride-Rite air helpers and they seem to work very nicely indeed.

If you have a competent truck chassis and spring shop nearby, it may be worth your time and money to get their opinion on the matter. I can suggest one in Essex Junction, Vermont and another one in Whitehorse, Yukon that I've had good experiences at, but that's probably not very helpful.

Before getting air bags IMO first get on the scales and find out your actual weights wrt RAWR and check the max load rating for your tires and their psi for the weight on them using the tire tables for that. (our Class C is slightly overweight at the back as built since 1991--can't be helped. Just have to take it easy.)
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Excellent advice you should take it