Dodge 3500 Upper Overload Springs

[Big_Rig1]

I am thinking of getting a heavier camper & I am curious if anyone with a Dodge 3500 has added a third spring to the upper overload pack to help carry the weight? I would rather do that than add a spring to the main pack because of the effect it would have on the unloaded ride.

Big Rig

[homefor2]

The DIY method is very effective, cheap and amazing bang for the buck. i did this too but unfortunately one fell off while I was travelling so I bought Stable Loads to make it a quick and easy fix. If I had been home and had my garage and tools, I could have saved a lot of money.

[RamTC]

I went the DIY route for about $20.

[Big_Rig1]

I talked to a spring shop & they said they could do it but they didn't have the spring in stock & had to order it. I measured the distance between the bump stop & the overload spring & it is about 2.5 inches without the camper loaded. I am thinking that if I can get them to also put a spacer right below the overload spring pack in addition to the extra overload spring, that would raise it almost an inch. That would leave the space between the bump stop & the overload spring about 1.5 inches which would engage the overload sooner & put more of the load on the overload springs. I guess it would be similar to using upper stableloads that engage the overloads sooner.
Can a person put an extra spacer in there & does that sound like a good idea??

Big Rig

[Gary3]

I had exactly the same thing done to the overloads and it worked great for not to much $$.

[Far_Roamer]

I had a local spring shop add additional leafs in the upper overload pack, but more importantly they re-curved the whole upper pack allowing the overloads to engage sooner. They measured the distance between my old overload springs and the stableloads that I had on at the time to determine the new gap. This means my driving experience (comfort) remained the same for normal empty driving but handling was greatly improved with the camper on. For me it was a great decision, the truck still sits with the rear up a bit and all the sway is gone. My camper is around 4k lbs fully loaded.

[jefe_4x4]

BIG rig,
Good thinking. This is what I did a few years ago. A friend gave me his surplus 3500 upper secondaries and I added them to the upper pack. Wanting to lift the rear up just a little more to make the truck level with the TC on, I added a single lift spring in the main pack so it now sports 8 leaves. Plenty of spring support now, plus a bit more travel, if you can believe that. Search back jefe4x4 to find pix and plans of the upgrade. You will probably need to get the longer U-bolts for the upgrade.
regards, as always, jefe

[JumboJet]

The only thing I added to my Dodge 3500 was the Torklift StableLoad that will engage the overload sooner.