Hello, 1999 GMC 1500 Sierra 8400lb towing capacity. Towing 2010 Jayflight 6500lbs. The truck is a 2wh drive so sits a bit low, currently stock shocks on it. I'd like to give just a smidge of lift and get a little more stability for the truck. So new shocks, yes, but should I get an overload shocks with coil springs on them or go for the helper springs?? I know it's a pretty general question, hoping someone has some experience that can point me in the right direction. I'm a newbie for towing a trailer. Thanks.

TerryandKim wrote:Hello, 1999 GMC 1500 Sierra 8400lb towing capacity. Towing 2010 Jayflight 6500lbs. The truck is a 2wh drive so sits a bit low, currently stock shocks on it. I'd like to give just a smidge of lift and get a little more stability for the truck. So new shocks, yes, but should I get an overload shocks with coil springs on them or go for the helper springs?? I know it's a pretty general question, hoping someone has some experience that can point me in the right direction. I'm a newbie for towing a trailer. Thanks.Probably, start with new shocks all round. HD, of course, then invest in a decent equalizer bar set up. Also for your PU, I would suggest a good sway bar.Have some one help you set it up right the first time and pay attention. I think you will come out ahead.Happy travels Chuck

I recommend MonoMax shocks and helper springs of some variety.Maybe a scale reading to verify you are not over payload or GVWR ratings.

What are your feelings on an add-a-leaf?

.With NO trailer connected, load up the pickup's rear - as if going on a normal camping trip. Does pickup rear have too much sag? If yes, then simply install Timbren SES units - under the pickup's rear suspension. If wondering, Timbren SES units are rubber blocks that don't contain air (no worry about air leaks). And, they can be adjusted using shims. Simply install them and leave them. If wondering, I had Timbren SES units within my previous TV (which had Leaf springs) and loved them. I also have Timbren SES units under my current TV (that uses coil springs) and love them as well. My future TV will also have Timbrens SES units. That's how much I love their product. Now.... Connect Trailer to "averaged" loaded TV. Does rear of TV go down too much? If yes, then install WDS (Weight Distribution System) with properly sized bars on the Trailer's tongue. And, ensure its WDS bars are properly sized as well. WDS is to remove TV's rear sag from connected Trailer's tongue weight. And yes, a Tow Vehicle can have both Timbren SES units (for TV's rear cargo weight) and WDS (for Trailer's tongue weight) as well. If properly adjusted, both work great together..Add-A-Leaf raises rear of vehicle 1-2". When this happens, headlight aim is off and steering / wheel alignment is off as well. Besides this, add-a-leaf is a steel solution. Steel creates upward rebound effect (aka: Road Hop) and to eliminate this side effect, HD shocks must be installed. In the end, one pays more for final add-a-leaf solution. If wondering, one of my previous TV's had +1 leaf installed. Based on its Lessons Learned, I'd never do that solution again. If one feels their TV's rear suspension needs upgrading (because of factory's soft rear suspension), do investigate Timbren SES units and/or air bags - which are rubber based. Rubber means none to little road hop side effect as well.Shocks are made to reduce "ease" of up/down movement. They don't provide lift. Only install HD shocks (like HD Blinstien) if one's TV has more than 3 bounce. To view 3 bounce test, surf U-Tube clips. If wanting more lift or reduce "depth" from weight, do investigate Timbren SES units and/or Air Bags. To reduce rear sag when trailer is connected, install properly sized properly adjusted Weight Distribution System. Hope this helps.

TerryandKim wrote:Hello, 1999 GMC 1500 Sierra 8400lb towing capacity. Towing 2010 Jayflight 6500lbs. The truck is a 2wh drive so sits a bit low, currently stock shocks on it. I'd like to give just a smidge of lift and get a little more stability for the truck. So new shocks, yes, but should I get an overload shocks with coil springs on them or go for the helper springs?? I know it's a pretty general question, hoping someone has some experience that can point me in the right direction. I'm a newbie for towing a trailer. Thanks.Okay, Thanks everyone! I do already have a weight distributing hitch that will be installed when I pick up the trailer next month. I'm going to replace the stock shocks with HD shocks that have coil springs (monomax?)and get some timbrens. What a great forum, Terry

overload shocks or helper springs?? | Good Sam Community

rtz549
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
What are your feelings on an add-a-leaf?
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 17, 2014
I recommend MonoMax shocks and helper springs of some variety.
Maybe a scale reading to verify you are not over payload or GVWR ratings.
janechucknicode
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
TerryandKim wrote:
Hello, 1999 GMC 1500 Sierra 8400lb towing capacity. Towing 2010 Jayflight 6500lbs. The truck is a 2wh drive so sits a bit low, currently stock shocks on it. I'd like to give just a smidge of lift and get a little more stability for the truck. So new shocks, yes, but should I get an overload shocks with coil springs on them or go for the helper springs?? I know it's a pretty general question, hoping someone has some experience that can point me in the right direction. I'm a newbie for towing a trailer. Thanks.

Probably, start with new shocks all round. HD, of course, then invest in a decent equalizer bar set up. Also for your PU, I would suggest a good sway bar.
Have some one help you set it up right the first time and pay attention. I think you will come out ahead.
Happy travels
Chuck

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overload shocks or helper springs??

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