Forum Discussion

Cannon_George's avatar
Nov 22, 2013

SuperSrpings Experience

Truck suspensions are all interesting examples of compromise.

Stock OEM set-up for pick-up trucks is probably weighted in favor of grocery store runs; but for us TC haulers (especially in off-road conditions) more “oomph” is often desirable.

In my case, the stock 2004.5 Dodge Diesel Ram SRW 4x4 leafs, carrying an Outfitter Apex 8 (2,000# scale weight) was sitting on the overloads. Yes, I had added air bags but when you get down to it airbags only add height, they don’t adjust spring constant and in my case there was noticeable deterioration of ride quality over time, due to weakening of OEM shock absorbers and softening of leafs. Even though the air bags were independently pressurized, there was an increasing amount of sway.

I was considering StableLoads but in my case already having full contact across the length of the overload spring I was not sure what benefit would be derived. And I didn’t look forward to drilling the necessary holes….

Turns out the SuperSprings factory is near where I work. I pulled in one day, to see what they thought. Within minutes, they measured my ride height and recommended a pair of SSA15 springs. Simple “bolt-on” installation. I went ahead with this; the pre-load tension for this spring (installed on an empty truck) was only minimal, next to nothing. There are adjustment holes to allow the preload to be reduced or tightened but the stock spring was right on target. Did the empty truck ride harder? Yes; the addition of the springs was noticeable but not adversely so. Still plenty good and soft for grocery store runs.

I then loaded the camper, and wow, what a difference! Even driving with the air bags deflated, the ride and sway concerns are greatly reduced, if not eliminated! The stock leafs are no longer sitting with full contact on the overloads, which restores much of the original spring constant and utility into operation!

For future flexibility between on and off-road driving I still plan to upgrade my shocks (to air adjustable) but already I am very satisfied with this simple and inexpensive mod.

I am not in any way connected with SuperSprings, and for different vehicles and suspension set-ups I am the first to admit other options may and could work better. But I wanted to relay my experience; this forum has helped me in the past with information and experience and I’m trying to pay back!

30 Replies

  • I installed them (easily I might add) on the front and rear of my F350 Dually and they were a 100% improvement with the AF 990 loaded. Before install I had quite a bit of sway during loaded uneven terrain travel. With the SuperSprings that has been dampened out significantly. BL-Highly recommend!
  • All you need to install Supersprings is a car jack and two wrenches. Might want to also remove the rear wheel(s) and tire(s) to give you better access to the work area.
  • But I don't know the difference between a wrench and a hammer, I do know I use both for pounding in things.
  • George,
    I am happy you found a good solution, and so close to home.
    How much does your camper weigh? I remember seeing it at Yosemite a few yrs. ago, but can't remember the details.
    I have had similar good luck by just adding one more set of upper overloads (secondaries), Stable Loads, and the sway is very little; with or without the anti-sway bar attached. The anti-sway bar is a rear axle travel limiter with lots of recoil. You take the good with the bad.
    Here's the way I see it: if you tighten up the rear axle springing and diminish the travel of said springs you will get less sway. The tradeoff is it limits the actual travel of the rear springs for going over undulating ground and getting your axles all twisted up. It puts more pressure on your front springs to do more travel. So, what to do? If there is a way to make the front springs more pliable (lower spring rate or graduated spring rate, or taller coils, in my case) and have a longer travel on the front to offset the rear axle, we might have something. This would allow for less frame twisting, which is, over time, the killer of tightly held TC' frames on standard pickup truck beds. Then, pulling on that string, you might have to have double shocks or remote reservoir shocks on the front to take up the slack, so to speak. I went all through this with my rock crawlers over a few decades of leaf springs trying to find the Valhalla of spring rates. I did find a greatly flexible set of front springs, but alas the tradeoff was a short lifespan. they will flex mightily, but are ephemeral.
    jefe
  • I have Super Springs with a 5500lb wet load, and they are simply FANTASTIC! I have Helliwig Big Wig, made very little difference.

    But the the add on to the Super Springs that totally controls sway is the FRONT Timbrens.

    The Combo of Super Springs(raises camper to original bed height with brute controlled strength)REAR & Timbrens FRONT(stop bounce & porposing.), Just Amazing.

    My Super Springs are for loads 6000lb plus Commercial, made especially for Amoured Truck & Extra Heavy Loads. These are the heaviest they make.

    I have a set of Stable Loads in a box, yet to be installed. This may be a project soon,
    to add yet just a little more sway control.

    However, the weakest point of my or anyone else's Truck is the tires!

    Dual Rear Wheel Rickson's may also be a solution, for added security, knowing that with commercial 19.5 inch tires, much needed strength and tire longetivity is achieved.

    We all safely tweak our ride to get the best performance & capability we need,
    whilst understanding safe load capacity and insurance company & regulatory
    demands.

    This is what we do for very Heavy Loads, a learning exercise!

    Enjoy Your TC'n.
  • kerry4951 wrote:
    realter wrote:
    I wish I lived close to that factory. There doesn't seem to even be any SS dealers in the Midwest. The Roadmaster sway bar was a waste of money.

    There is no need to live near the factory. You can buy Supersprings online from many vendors and install them yourself in less than an hour. Thats the nice thing about them, easy installation and removal if needed.


    I agree. Bought mine online and install was straight forward. The biggest thing that surprised me was the sway reduction.
  • realter wrote:
    I wish I lived close to that factory. There doesn't seem to even be any SS dealers in the Midwest. The Roadmaster sway bar was a waste of money.

    There is no need to live near the factory. You can buy Supersprings online from many vendors and install them yourself in less than an hour. Thats the nice thing about them, easy installation and removal if needed.
  • I wish I lived close to that factory. There doesn't seem to even be any SS dealers in the Midwest. The Roadmaster sway bar was a waste of money.
  • I have SS on my rig and I would not want anything else. I have no porpoising, side yaw, nothing the rig goes down the road just about perfect.
    I have a slight lean on the left side but it doesn't bother me.
  • Ive been using Supersprings for 4 years, and have had excellent results. I added them as soon as I got my TC. Im surprised more owners dont try them out, esapcially the ones who are still experiencing sway problems even after they install Stable Loads and Sway Bars.