billtex wrote:
Wanted to pass this on also after speaking with the local spring shop. The Gentleman there commented that on trucks with just bottom overload (as our ¾ ton Chevy) should not be riding on the overloads. IOW the overload should only make contact when turning, dips in the road, pot holes, etc as handling/ride will suffer. They are not intended to be in play full time. Period.
Now conventional wisdom is to set you airbags (if you have them) so that the overloads are still (lightly) engaged. I don’t know about your truck, if I pump my airbags to may (100 psi) my bottom overloads are still engaged.
We would need a much lighter camper, or larger airbags, to get completely off the bottom overloads as he suggested.
I am no suspension expert…I assume this Gentleman is as this has been his Family business for generations…
Any comments on this thinking?
Tx, Bill
I would agree with your spring shop , the bottom heavy leaf is not meant to be engaged all the time . It also acts as a limiter for spring rebound . Keeping the overloads ( lightly ) engaged refers to upper overloads on one ton trucks , not the bottom leaf .
I also agree with the previous poster . In order to accomplish your stated goal , sway side to side , a heavy duty sway bar is in order . The springs and things added to them are for carrying the weight. If you add enough to the springs , whether leaves or add on's it will eventually help the sway , but you will have one very stiff ride .
It seems you are trying to accomplish two different things , one is the added weight of the new camper the other is the sway that extra weight is causing . I don't think a single mod will accomplish both . That's my 2 cents . Following along.
