SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/14/2003
View Profile
|
CumminsDriver wrote:I'd give the TorkLift Stable Loads a try before going to the expense of reworking or replacing your springs. The StableLoads fill the gap between your over load springs and the contact perch so that the overloads engage much sooner. Here is a link to TorkLifts website. Also replace the factory shocks with Rancho 9000's, or Bilsteins. It may be all you need to haul the camper. If you find that you need more then take it to the next step with the spring upgrade... I agree with this.
05E350 6.0PSD
97F350DRW 7.3PSD 4x4 4.10 11' flatbed
98Ranger
69Bronco ATC250R CR500
20' BigTex flatbed carhauler
Callen Camper
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
B&W TurnoverBall, Curt Magnum V
HD Springs Bilsteins,
285/75-16E BFG AT on 16x8 Stocktons
4.56's & LockRite rear
|
SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/14/2003
View Profile
|
JoeChiOhki wrote:Hopefully that 1k price tag was for entirely new leaf spring packs and the labor included for their installation.
I can buy a set of medium duty leaf spring packs from Stengle bros for around $700 (Springs cost closer to $500, the last $200 is for shipping).
The leaf springs will also outlast the Sumo springs in terms of durability, nothing will last better than an actual steel leaf spring. I also agree with this. I have upgraded my rear spring packs on my truck, with Dayton heavy duty leaf packs, purchased from Stengel Bros. Joe's price info is right on.
|
SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/14/2003
View Profile
|
usmcshepherd wrote:The price he quoted me was obviously unseen but included completely new rear leaf pack as well as an additional overload. That's a fair price and a very good way of doing it, heavier leaf packs as well as an extra overload spring. I didn't do the extra overload leaf and wish I had added 2 extra overload leafs when I did the rear spring packs.
|
SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/14/2003
View Profile
|
I would also agree with the poster who mentioned adding a rear sway bar. Every pickup carrying a large size truck camper should have a heavy duty rear sway bar, heavy duty shocks, overload springs, and heavy duty rear leaf packs, in my opinion.
|
elkhornsun
Monterey
Senior Member
Joined: 11/29/2011
View Profile
 Offline
|
I went with SuperSprings to add to the load capacity of the OEM set and it has not hurt the ride when the bed is empty and the truck easily handles the 3300# camper with no sway at all. It has the much stiffer fully boxed frames that is new for GM/Chevy in 2011 and it does make a noticeable difference.
When I saw that Sumo Springs had only a 2-year warranty I knew they were not a good solution. If the manufacturer does not have confidence that they will last I sure don't.
I did not want to add more stops for the axle and limit its travel. On rough roads I want the springs to work the way they were designed. Too much sway for me means adding more shock absorption with Rancho 9000 shocks as the first step.
If the Ranchos at the highest setting did not control the sway then I would look into having a custom anti-sway bar made for my truck. But at this time with the SuperSprings and the OEM shocks the camper load is very well controlled.
But it depends upon the truck. The new Chevy heavy duty trucks have a front sway bar that is the same diameter as the largest after market front or rear sway bars available for any truck. The frame is four times as stiff torsionally compared to prior models from GM and the shocks are larger as well.
|
|
|
RMikeB
Sequim, WA
New Member
Joined: 08/25/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
I went through this decision already. With my 2006 Dodge 3500 quad cab dually I had problems with sway and death wobble steering problems when my Arctic Fox was loaded. Fixed the steering problems with upgraded 09 mopar linkage.
In the end rear super springs, sumo springs and upgraded rancho shocks worked the best for me. No adjustments needed - just load and go! Don't bother with rancho's automated air adjustment system. I don't think Rancho counted on the loads and mine leaked no matter how many times we reinstalled the air lines.
Now we have a 2011 Lance 1191 and tow a Honda Element with Kayaks. Rides great. Hope this helps.
Mike
2006 Dodge 3500 4x4 Dually, 2002 Arctic Fox 1150, Rancho 9000XL, Firestone Airbags, Roadmaster Rear Anti-sway bar, Torklift Stable Loads
|
usmcshepherd
Louisiana
Full Member
Joined: 07/29/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
RMikeB....do you have ant squat in the rear when loaded? That's basically the load we are looking at as well....camper, pulling trailer etc. What kind of mileage are you getting loaded?
2011 Ram 3500/2012 Jayco Pinnacle 36 REQS
Semper Fi
MGySgt/USMC
|
DoneItAll
Maryland
Senior Member
Joined: 10/16/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
I had airbags on my previous truck (Ford F250 carrying a Lance 1010). This time around I added two additional leaves on each side to the spring pack. Raised the bed by about 4 inches and counters the 4 inch drop when loaded. Rides like a truck without the camper but that's only a very rare event (when I need to haul another load). If I ever do this again, I'll do it this way.
John & Harriet on the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland
2008 F450 4X4 Crew Cab
2008 Lance 1191
|
BradW
Mayor of Flat Rock
Senior Member
Joined: 10/29/2001
View Profile
|
NorthernLimits wrote: ........... First, unloaded the ride is terrible. It feels like you are riding on the bump stops because you basically are. Second, one winter one of them split up the side. They replaced it. Following winter it happened again. They then wouldn't replace it but instead offered to sell me their "Winter" ones at a discount. Fine, bought those. Then in the summer the "winter" ones were too soft.........
Not a ringing endorsement. 
I had never heard of them before this post.
Brad
Internet forums only exist to serve their members; never the other way around.
1996 Lance 500 and 2006 F-350 PSD 4X4 DRW
Our Truck Camper Photos
|
JoeChiOhki
Sauvie Island, OR
Senior Member
Joined: 11/20/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
BradW wrote:NorthernLimits wrote: ........... First, unloaded the ride is terrible. It feels like you are riding on the bump stops because you basically are. Second, one winter one of them split up the side. They replaced it. Following winter it happened again. They then wouldn't replace it but instead offered to sell me their "Winter" ones at a discount. Fine, bought those. Then in the summer the "winter" ones were too soft.........
Not a ringing endorsement.
I had never heard of them before this post.
Brad
There was a thread on here discussing them some time ago.... here it is
New Product "Sumo Springs" from the maker of Super Springs
Follow me as I full-time the Redneck Way at The Journey of the Redneck Express
CB Channel 17 Redneck Express
'1992 Dodge W-250 "Dually" Power Wagon - Club Cab Long Bed 4x4 V8 5.9L gashog w/4.10 Geared axles
'1974 KIT Kamper 1106 - 11' Slide-in
|
|
|
