Over weight truck camper suspension upgrade needed
I need some advice.
Mounted a custom flatbed camper to my truck and realized that it was squatting in the rear.
GMC Sierra 3500 2007 Classic LBZ Duramax Diesel with 6 speed Allison Transmission.
Body is like 2006. There were 2 body styles in 2007. This is the older style.
Single rear wheel.
Tires size was increased from roughly a 32 inch to roughly 35 inch.
Truck was regeared from 3.73 to 4.52 to compensate for bigger tires and weight of the camper.
Rear Firestone Ride-Rite 4800 pound air bags were added and do lift the camper up when inflated.
On a CAT scale, camper/truck with a full 32 gallons of diesel and 50 gallons of fresh water weighed 12,100 pounds with factory GVWR 9900 pounds
Front tires are carrying 2500 pounds each (series E rated at 3850 pounds) with factory GAWR FF 4800 pounds
Rear tires are carrying 3400 pounds each (series E rated at 3850 pounds) with factory GAWR RR 6500 pounds
Axle is rated for 10,000 pounds.
Cognitio front steering upgrade has been performed.
I know I am significantly overweight but the plan is for the camper to stay mounted to this truck. So far, truck did fine on the interstate driving from Denver to Salt Lake with no porpoising or rocking with the air bags inflated. However, when on rut filled roads looking for a spot to do some dry camping, the camper was rocking quite a bit back and forth.
Without the airbags inflated, the rear sorings are pretty flat with only about 1 inch between the tires and the flatbed. With the air bags inflated, I have about 4 inches between tire and flatbed.
Talked with truck suspension shop and they recommended a factory gmc "heavy duty" rear leaf spring replacement good for 4000 per side. They also suggested I might want to consider upgrading the shocks.
I would post some pics but do not know how.
Short of replacing the truck, what would you recommendable for additional suspension upgrade to get the sagging rear end of my truck back up so that it rides better when off pavement?
Thanks.
Mounted a custom flatbed camper to my truck and realized that it was squatting in the rear.
GMC Sierra 3500 2007 Classic LBZ Duramax Diesel with 6 speed Allison Transmission.
Body is like 2006. There were 2 body styles in 2007. This is the older style.
Single rear wheel.
Tires size was increased from roughly a 32 inch to roughly 35 inch.
Truck was regeared from 3.73 to 4.52 to compensate for bigger tires and weight of the camper.
Rear Firestone Ride-Rite 4800 pound air bags were added and do lift the camper up when inflated.
On a CAT scale, camper/truck with a full 32 gallons of diesel and 50 gallons of fresh water weighed 12,100 pounds with factory GVWR 9900 pounds
Front tires are carrying 2500 pounds each (series E rated at 3850 pounds) with factory GAWR FF 4800 pounds
Rear tires are carrying 3400 pounds each (series E rated at 3850 pounds) with factory GAWR RR 6500 pounds
Axle is rated for 10,000 pounds.
Cognitio front steering upgrade has been performed.
I know I am significantly overweight but the plan is for the camper to stay mounted to this truck. So far, truck did fine on the interstate driving from Denver to Salt Lake with no porpoising or rocking with the air bags inflated. However, when on rut filled roads looking for a spot to do some dry camping, the camper was rocking quite a bit back and forth.
Without the airbags inflated, the rear sorings are pretty flat with only about 1 inch between the tires and the flatbed. With the air bags inflated, I have about 4 inches between tire and flatbed.
Talked with truck suspension shop and they recommended a factory gmc "heavy duty" rear leaf spring replacement good for 4000 per side. They also suggested I might want to consider upgrading the shocks.
I would post some pics but do not know how.
Short of replacing the truck, what would you recommendable for additional suspension upgrade to get the sagging rear end of my truck back up so that it rides better when off pavement?
Thanks.
