Questions about rear leaf springs and hard ride

[MtnHaul]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[79jasper]

Bed doesn't weigh that much......

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[DrCharles]

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...