Rear leaf springs
We have a 2004 F250 super duty 4dr diesel and have owned and used it for towing fifth wheels since it was new. It seems that our rear springs are getting weak. Has anybody had this problem or had to r...
Forum Discussion
They will sag over time
Airbags will protect them to a degree
Re-Arch doesn't last as long as Re-Place
It's possible to add a leaf (leif?) to restore height and capacity.
Questions: Do you un-load your truck when stopping overnight, when you don't have to un-hitch? It helps to take that overnight static load off.
And, what is the Pin Weight of your Fiver? I ask because I know pin weight improves stability, but it seems some have more than they need. I notice when camping that some similar-sized fivers put a lot more weight down onto similar trucks than others do.
We had sagging rear springs on an old Class C. Went to a spring shop and talked options:
1. Replace with new springs, too expensive.
2. Re-arch the OEM springs, shop said it wouldn't hold long enough to be helpful
3. Add a "repair leaf" to the existing springs, this is what we did.
Repair Leaf is nothing but a length of spring material. Thickness according to how much lift wanted. Width to match existing leaves. Needs to be cut to length and punched/drilled for center bolt.
Since I bought the parts (repair leaves, new center bolts, new axle U-bolts) and installed myself, I didn't have the benefit of their experience. This may not happen to you, but in our case, the rear ended up slightly higher than level. That cut down on tail-dragging which was nice, but it also meant we had to block the front up about 2" to be level on a level campsite. Pickup truck doesn't have that issue, and you might be happy starting out a little high.
Airbags will protect them to a degree
Re-Arch doesn't last as long as Re-Place
It's possible to add a leaf (leif?) to restore height and capacity.
Questions: Do you un-load your truck when stopping overnight, when you don't have to un-hitch? It helps to take that overnight static load off.
And, what is the Pin Weight of your Fiver? I ask because I know pin weight improves stability, but it seems some have more than they need. I notice when camping that some similar-sized fivers put a lot more weight down onto similar trucks than others do.
We had sagging rear springs on an old Class C. Went to a spring shop and talked options:
1. Replace with new springs, too expensive.
2. Re-arch the OEM springs, shop said it wouldn't hold long enough to be helpful
3. Add a "repair leaf" to the existing springs, this is what we did.
Repair Leaf is nothing but a length of spring material. Thickness according to how much lift wanted. Width to match existing leaves. Needs to be cut to length and punched/drilled for center bolt.
Since I bought the parts (repair leaves, new center bolts, new axle U-bolts) and installed myself, I didn't have the benefit of their experience. This may not happen to you, but in our case, the rear ended up slightly higher than level. That cut down on tail-dragging which was nice, but it also meant we had to block the front up about 2" to be level on a level campsite. Pickup truck doesn't have that issue, and you might be happy starting out a little high.
