Custom Tailoring The Rear Suspension - F-Series & SuperDuty Diesel Forums

lone_star_dsl · 01-22-2012, 11:57 PM

Alright fellas, as of a few days ago, I was the proud owner of a 29' travel trailer. I sold it for one reason, it pulled like crap. Unfortunately, it wasn't really the trailers fault.

The trailer had just enough tongue weight to lightly set my truck on the helper springs. When I hit a bump, the trailer would compress the springs further then they would rebound and launch the rear of the truck upwards. In doing so, a domino effect was started and it took a few up these up and down jolts before things would settle back down.

I bought a Thor fifth wheel the other day which should have a tongue weight that closely matches that of my gooseneck flatbed (which tows great) just so that I could have a peaceful towing experience.

Anyway, I have been contemplating installing air bags for a while now and I think I may pull the trigger soon. While I was under the truck, I began wondering if I could remove some of the leaf springs and use the air bags to take up the lost capacity.

For starters, I could pull some air out of the bags and have a softer ride when empty. Second, the airbags should offer more stability while towing or hauling a payload. Thirdly, there have been many times when it would have been extremely convenient to have the back of the truck sitting lower that it does on the springs. I'm not talking about scraping the frame while going down the road but for loading and unloading tools, my back would really thank me.

The only problem that I see is axle wrap. How many leaves could I realistically remove before I need to add ladder bars or a four link setup?

Has anyone pulled any leaves out and had a successful outcome or should I just leave things alone (no pun intended)?

Thanks

BIG JOE · 01-23-2012, 12:11 AM

Leave Things Alone.

JMO but Yer call, when you modify OE spring packs.. yer asking for All Kinds Of trouble, unless you go with a custom designed & engineered suspension system.

A pair of air bags wiil do the trick. I run 15 psi empty... Real Good Ride. 25 with the 5r on... VERY Good Ride.

At some point.. you might concider an Air Ride 5r pin box.. SUPER good ride.

Joe

WD40 · 01-23-2012, 02:37 PM

What Joe said X 2.
What you first said about your truck and travel trailer, sounds like you may need some shocks
on the back of your truck.
Doug

01-22-2012, 11:57 PM	#1
lone_star_dsl SDD Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Falcon, CO Posts: 124 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Custom Tailoring The Rear Suspension Alright fellas, as of a few days ago, I was the proud owner of a 29' travel trailer. I sold it for one reason, it pulled like crap. Unfortunately, it wasn't really the trailers fault. The trailer had just enough tongue weight to lightly set my truck on the helper springs. When I hit a bump, the trailer would compress the springs further then they would rebound and launch the rear of the truck upwards. In doing so, a domino effect was started and it took a few up these up and down jolts before things would settle back down. I bought a Thor fifth wheel the other day which should have a tongue weight that closely matches that of my gooseneck flatbed (which tows great) just so that I could have a peaceful towing experience. Anyway, I have been contemplating installing air bags for a while now and I think I may pull the trigger soon. While I was under the truck, I began wondering if I could remove some of the leaf springs and use the air bags to take up the lost capacity. For starters, I could pull some air out of the bags and have a softer ride when empty. Second, the airbags should offer more stability while towing or hauling a payload. Thirdly, there have been many times when it would have been extremely convenient to have the back of the truck sitting lower that it does on the springs. I'm not talking about scraping the frame while going down the road but for loading and unloading tools, my back would really thank me. The only problem that I see is axle wrap. How many leaves could I realistically remove before I need to add ladder bars or a four link setup? Has anyone pulled any leaves out and had a successful outcome or should I just leave things alone (no pun intended)? Thanks __________________ 2002 F-350 SRW Lariat, Crew Cab Long Bed, 4X4 Auto Trans, Tymar Intake Wicked Wheel, Zoodad Mod DP Tuner - 60E, 80E, 40T, 80T, Decel Intercooler Wrap Removal 4" Straight Pipe Exhaust Recon Smoked Cab Lights 05+ Harley Headlights 6" Upper and Lower Windshield Brows ISSPRO Gauges, Edge Insight CTS Acetone Badges 315 Pro Comp AT's 2010 Elite 20' Dovetail Gooseneck GVW 14,000 lbs 2001 Thor Wanderer 24RK Fifth Wheel 180,000 mostly trouble free miles and counting!

01-23-2012, 12:11 AM	#2
BIG JOE SDD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: CenCal Posts: 4,378 Thanks: 101 Thanked 392 Times in 381 Posts	Leave Things Alone. JMO but Yer call, when you modify OE spring packs.. yer asking for All Kinds Of trouble, unless you go with a custom designed & engineered suspension system. A pair of air bags wiil do the trick. I run 15 psi empty... Real Good Ride. 25 with the 5r on... VERY Good Ride. At some point.. you might concider an Air Ride 5r pin box.. SUPER good ride. Joe Last edited by BIG JOE; 01-23-2012 at 12:35 AM.

01-23-2012, 02:37 PM	#3
WD40 SDD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Benton Arkansas & McAllen Posts: 2,759 Thanks: 57 Thanked 111 Times in 107 Posts View Photos By: WD40	What Joe said X 2. What you first said about your truck and travel trailer, sounds like you may need some shocks on the back of your truck. Doug __________________ 2006 Ford F-350 Crew Cab Lariat 4X2 PSD 6.0 TorqShift Automatic Transmission, MAG-HYTEC DIFF COVERS Bama ZooDad If you think the 6.0 is bad.....Get a 6.4 2004 35 ft Hitch Hiker 16589 EW. Doug Is it time to go camping yet? Last edited by WD40; 01-23-2012 at 02:43 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode