suspension for towing
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Glen Rose, Texas
suspension for towing
Ok I asked the question about getting bags for the rear, and got some good info on it. Heres another question. 00 250 4WD SRW, and my back kind of sags when I tow. I tow about 6-7k lbs at least 3 times a week. So with what was said on the bags question is that the rear suspension was prob shot. The question is can I run f350 or f450 rear leaf springs? And are they stronger or can handle more before sagging? Dont know if I stated the last part right, but hopefully you understand my question.
Molon Labe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,272
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From: Alaska
IIRC the F350 springs are the same as F250 
Do you have the overload leaf springs? If not the Roadmaster system may be an option Helper Springs | Overload Springs | Roadmaster Active Suspension Kits I had them on my old F250 and loved em... They now reside on my bosses F350 dually as his truck did not come with the overload leafs. He seems to love em too.
Or you can get a simple airbag system for around $300.
Here are the Roadmasters on the rear end of my F250 (parts truck) for a better view.
Personally I like the adjustability of the air bags, but It's something that can dry rot, leak down, and eventually need to be replaced. I was really impressed with the Roadmasters, they improved the handling a bit also.
Do you have the overload leaf springs? If not the Roadmaster system may be an option Helper Springs | Overload Springs | Roadmaster Active Suspension Kits I had them on my old F250 and loved em... They now reside on my bosses F350 dually as his truck did not come with the overload leafs. He seems to love em too.
Or you can get a simple airbag system for around $300.
Here are the Roadmasters on the rear end of my F250 (parts truck) for a better view.
Personally I like the adjustability of the air bags, but It's something that can dry rot, leak down, and eventually need to be replaced. I was really impressed with the Roadmasters, they improved the handling a bit also.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Glen Rose, Texas
IIRC the F350 springs are the same as F250
Do you have the overload leaf springs? If not the Roadmaster system may be an option Helper Springs | Overload Springs | Roadmaster Active Suspension Kits I had them on my old F250 and loved em... They now reside on my bosses F350 dually as his truck did not come with the overload leafs. He seems to love em too.
Or you can get a simple airbag system for around $300.
Do you have the overload leaf springs? If not the Roadmaster system may be an option Helper Springs | Overload Springs | Roadmaster Active Suspension Kits I had them on my old F250 and loved em... They now reside on my bosses F350 dually as his truck did not come with the overload leafs. He seems to love em too.
Or you can get a simple airbag system for around $300.
Molon Labe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,272
Likes: 1
From: Alaska
If you have overloads you'll have a single leaf on top of the pack with bump stops on the frame. here is the a shot of mine.
If you add bags or Roadmasters I wouldn't be too worried about replacing the springs unless the truck has a noticeable sag when sitting empty.
If you add bags or Roadmasters I wouldn't be too worried about replacing the springs unless the truck has a noticeable sag when sitting empty.
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Elder User
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From: Glen Rose, Texas
One single leaf on top, with the pack of four under it, then two bumpstops on the frame. So im guessing I have overload springs. Now for the noob question. What does that mean to me?
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Glen Rose, Texas
Well so much for other options. Guess ill start looking into them even more. Ill just start with the simple setup of just the bags, and if I like how they work ill get the compressor and all later on.
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Molon Labe
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Alaska
Honestly I would rather have the RAS that the overloads.
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Elder User
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From: Glen Rose, Texas
Are those the hitches with the bars that hook to the trailer? If so, that would be to much of a hassel for how many trucks the trailers hook up to. I own a landscape company so trailers go between vehicles and gets disconnected quite a bit.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Tennessee
Yes. But, I'm almost positive that would solve your issue. If you hook up a 6000 to 8000 lb trailer to your bumper, you will have rear end sag. Too much tongue weight. Just saying... do you what you will.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Missouri
I have overload springs and air bags, but no RAS experience. I am quite satisfied with my load carrying capacity. my over loads hardly get used anymore because of the air bags, but when they do, they just help the bags a bit too.
These pics were with about 3500lbs of concrete in my bed.
Air Bags Empty:
Air Bags Inflated:
These pics were with about 3500lbs of concrete in my bed.
Air Bags Empty:
Air Bags Inflated:
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Marseilles IL
If you get new springs you can use F350 springs and they fit fine. I got the c-codes from Ford. They are a F350 dually spring and have a heavier rating. Not overly rated so you still get a good ride empty. Be careful with aftermarket springs if you like ride quality. Aftermarket can get you any weight carying ability you want but they will be a stiff ride when you to higher ratings. You may still want airbags so you can adjust your ride height when needed.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Glen Rose, Texas
If you get new springs you can use F350 springs and they fit fine. I got the c-codes from Ford. They are a F350 dually spring and have a heavier rating. Not overly rated so you still get a good ride empty. Be careful with aftermarket springs if you like ride quality. Aftermarket can get you any weight carying ability you want but they will be a stiff ride when you to higher ratings. You may still want airbags so you can adjust your ride height when needed.