Improve my suspension

[Gnsolman]

I am looking to improve my suspension when pulling my 15000lb fifth wheel with a 2008 2500HD Chevy Duramax. Any suggestions.

[CWSWine]

Gnsolman wrote:
Thanks Jimln My Durmax is rated for 22000 lbs Thats for a combined weight of the truck and the trailer Last I put it on the scale it came in @ 22500lbs and I had fluids in the tanks We also emptied some items So long story short we are well within the GVW of the vehicle Weights I believe the fifth wheel pin weight for the trailer is at about 1750lbs What started my whole search was we just moved are fifth wheel on a 1100 mile trip We came home without it We felt great when we got out of the vehicle running without the fifth wheel. With the fifth wheel stiff and sore for the first few steps getting out for fuel We have traveled from Florida Keys to Alaska so lets just say I've hauled the fifth wheel over 50000 mile on various trips
I'm liking the airbag suggestion Thanks again Jimln

15,000lbs times 11.5% = 1725 lbs pin weight. 11.5% is really low for 5er pin weight. Normally they will north of 20% or 3,000 lbs. Recommended is between 15% and 25% with most of them at that weight are north 20%.

[Grit_dog]

Well, welcome!
The weight cops jumped on this one early......
As said, your 2500 is really a 3500 with a tax deduction and softer springs.
Not sure how stiff and sore equate to pulling the river vs driving empty.....anyway.
You've pulled a fiver for 50k mi. Presuming this fiver and truck??
If so, you've either been driving with the rear end of your truck squatted out for that long or you really have a light pin weight as stated.
You don't even specify what you're looking for, rather complaining about the drive......
So to put together a bunch of assumptions, I'll assume a light pin that the 2500 factory springs are handling alright, but you're getting sick of the big 5ver bucking the truck all day long. Am I on track so far?
Provided you're not overloading the heck out of your rear suspension, stiffer leaf springs or airbags and good shocks or an air ride hitch will all serve to reduce the bucking in their own way.
Otoh, if it's just your nerves shot from white knuckling a big arse trailer X country, then a bigger truck or less towing may be the solution.
If you sensed any sarcasm, it's because you need to describe your problem and what you're trying to accomplish.......

[rhagfo]

Michelle.S wrote:
WOW, 15K 5er and pin weight of only 1750, you must have a ton of weight hanging off the back to lighten up the pin that much since the typical pin for 15K should be in the 3K area.
By your own words (We felt great when we got out of the vehicle running without the fifth wheel) vs (With the fifth wheel stiff and sore). Seems to me that's it's not such an enjoyable experience.
Need I say more, since you said it yourself?

Wow, for sure not a great ride, with that low of pin, at 11,000#+, we run at 2,100# to 2,200#.

That is only 11.6% pin WAY too low for a 5er.

[Michelle_S]

WOW, 15K 5er and pin weight of only 1750, you must have a ton of weight hanging off the back to lighten up the pin that much since the typical pin for 15K should be in the 3K area.
By your own words (We felt great when we got out of the vehicle running without the fifth wheel) vs (With the fifth wheel stiff and sore). Seems to me that's it's not such an enjoyable experience.
Need I say more, since you said it yourself?

[Gnsolman]

Thanks Jimln My Durmax is rated for 22000 lbs Thats for a combined weight of the truck and the trailer Last I put it on the scale it came in @ 22500lbs and I had fluids in the tanks We also emptied some items So long story short we are well within the GVW of the vehicle Weights I believe the fifth wheel pin weight for the trailer is at about 1750lbs What started my whole search was we just moved are fifth wheel on a 1100 mile trip We came home without it We felt great when we got out of the vehicle running without the fifth wheel. With the fifth wheel stiff and sore for the first few steps getting out for fuel We have traveled from Florida Keys to Alaska so lets just say I've hauled the fifth wheel over 50000 mile on various trips
I'm liking the airbag suggestion Thanks again Jimln

[Cummins12V98]

Strabo wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Bags and 19.5's you can tow anything!!!

Thats how we roll in the toyhauler section!!!!

Honestly I wish more people would. It is very sickening to see all these 250/2500 trucks heading to and from the desert on I-10 in the Palm Springs area with their AZZ dragging and head lights pointing to the sky. Oh yea bouncing along with the big fatty tires.

[Strabo]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Bags and 19.5's you can tow anything!!!

Thats how we roll in the toyhauler section!!!!

[rhagfo]

schlep1967 wrote:
Is 15K the max weight on the trailer or the empty weight?
My 5th wheel weighs in at 10,560 dry with a max of 14,000+. I have firestone airbags added to my Dodge 2500 and run about 22 lbs in them. If you are starting at 15K you need more truck.

X2
Pretty much the nail on the head! HD2500 is a 3500 with a tax break. That being the 10,000# GVWR limit. The differences between 2500/250's and SRW 3500/350's is the Class 2 GVWR of 10,000# and possibly softer springs.
It is the owners choice to exceed the GVWR, no suggestion to do so.
Yes, will be over GVWR, the numbers to watch then are the TIRE max capacity rating.

[JIMNLIN]

welcome to the forum.
As you see you will get all kinds of answers.

Your 2500 GM rear suspension is limited by the small 6200 RAWR which includes rear spring pack/wheels and tires.
Check out our truck camper forum as many over there upgrade their trucks rear suspension to safely to carry 3k-6k truck campers.
Cummins has a very good recommendation of bags and 19.5" wheels and tires. We have several good aftermarket products to beef the rear suspension. Also adding rear suspension leafs in the spring pack by a spring shop is another favorite for experienced heavy haulers.
Let google be your friend.

[Miles_Away]

Air bags will keep you truck level and your headlights on the road, however I agree with above comments, you will most probably be dangerously overweight.

[Cummins12V98]

Bags and 19.5's you can tow anything!!!

[IdaD]

Timbrens or airbags. I like the simplicity of the Timbrens but they aren't adjustable like airbags.

You need to post more information if you want helpful input, though. Axle ratings, tire ratings, more info on the trailer, etc.

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[downtheroad]

Since this was your first post and you have gotten some not so encouraging answers...and correct ones at that...I'll just add:
Welcome to the Forum.

[cekkk]

Glad you two guys said that. When I read the OP' post I was saying, "WHAT??"