Questions about rear leaf springs and hard ride

MtnHaul

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2014
Posts
616
Reaction score
258
Location
California
The truck in my sig rides rough over just about any bump and that's with new shocks, same rated leafs as you have, and unladen weight of 7000. On a really crappy dirt road I basically stay in first gear to avoid breaking things--but put a few thousand pounds in the bed and it softens quite a bit.
 

DrCharles

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2017
Posts
1,091
Reaction score
726
Location
West Plains, MO
That does seem to be the consensus, unfortunately...

Are you sure your truck (basically identical to mine except I have regular cab and the Sterling 10.25" rear) is that heavy? Mine scaled at 6300 with nearly 500 lb of driver and passenger, so only 5820 lb.
 

u2slow

bilge rat
Joined
May 8, 2007
Posts
1,817
Reaction score
814
Location
PNW
I'm sure it will be smoother with a half-ton or more, but that also costs in terms of fuel, clutch and brake wear. Meanwhile I just try to get to paved roads as soon as I can!

Because its a diesel, you won't notice any change in fuel with just a few extra hundred pounds of ballast. Even a bedliner, rubber mat, and stakesides add weight. Keep your rear fuel tank full. Brakes last forever already when you drive a 5 speed. Clutch will be fine.

Longer springs ride better. Shackle flip rides better.
 

MtnHaul

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2014
Posts
616
Reaction score
258
Location
California
That does seem to be the consensus, unfortunately...

Are you sure your truck (basically identical to mine except I have regular cab and the Sterling 10.25" rear) is that heavy? Mine scaled at 6300 with nearly 500 lb of driver and passenger, so only 5820 lb.


I have a SuperCab and a dually width steel flatbed on mine--J&I mfg--truck came with it and I'm actually looking to swap a regular bed. FWIW my registration claims the original unladen weight was 4500lbs but that seems a bit too light.
 

chillman88

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2017
Posts
6,022
Reaction score
6,152
Location
Central NY
I have a SuperCab and a dually width steel flatbed on mine--J&I mfg--truck came with it and I'm actually looking to swap a regular bed. FWIW my registration claims the original unladen weight was 4500lbs but that seems a bit too light.

Could be right without the bed on it. My crew cab dually is about 7000lbs.
 

DrCharles

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2017
Posts
1,091
Reaction score
726
Location
West Plains, MO
I estimate my stock long bed weighs about 300 lb (if that). Four people can definitely lift and carry it. Two, not so much ;)

But a steel flat bed can be very heavy depending on how thick the steel is...
 
Top