Add a leaf?
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2016
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Add a leaf?
I have a 2016 F250 with snow plow package and my truck already has the 4 inch rear blocks. It sits almost dead level currently. It sags when I hook up the camper. There are many posts on here about Timbrens, air bags, and torklift stable loads. My question is whether anyone has gone with the add a leaf option instead, and how did it work out? SD trucksprings has a pair for less than a hundred dollars that provides a 2 inch lift also. I don't really need the rake but since I am level now I think it would look good. Just want to see if anyone has feedback. Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 373
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
I have a 350 and a camper and tow a 12k trailer. I use the upper stable loads and airbags. I also have added 2 leafs to my upper spring pack. The stable loads helped mostly with sway, though it brought me up about 1". The airbags pretty much leveled me out. I added the leafs so I wasn't pushing the truck to it's max and everything could work together to easily support the load.
For your 250, I wouldn't add a leaf to your main spring pack. This will certainly work, but your truck ride will be alot worse. If your truck has the upper overloads, i'd add your springs there and add the stable loads to your truck. This most likely would give you the desired result of riding level, while leaving your empty ride the same. If you don't have the upper overloads, I would replace your rear springs for a set that includes the upper overloads and then modify as I mentioned.
That is just my recommendation.
For your 250, I wouldn't add a leaf to your main spring pack. This will certainly work, but your truck ride will be alot worse. If your truck has the upper overloads, i'd add your springs there and add the stable loads to your truck. This most likely would give you the desired result of riding level, while leaving your empty ride the same. If you don't have the upper overloads, I would replace your rear springs for a set that includes the upper overloads and then modify as I mentioned.
That is just my recommendation.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,450
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From: South Jersey
I have a 2004 f350 and I had a spring shop make me a custom long add a a leaf. I made them make it so I'd have no more than 1" of lift and they made it dead on, I got exactly 1" of rear lift and an additional 800lbs of capacity. My ride quality was no different after the install and I would do this again in a heart beat over air bags etc
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2016
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Thank you for the input. There are several options but I feel an extra leaf might be the way to go. It is permanent with no extra maintenance and with the snow plow package springs the 6.2 that is lighter than the diesel, I don't think an extra leaf could make the ride over bumps much worse. I don't have overload springs.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 100
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From: charlotte nc
i got talked into airbags then pulled them out and added a leaf. (still have the bags if anybody wants them)
11 f250 6.2 3" lift 35" nittos
i really wanted the back lifted a little but it rode like a hay wagon with the bags aired up.
11 f250 6.2 3" lift 35" nittos
i really wanted the back lifted a little but it rode like a hay wagon with the bags aired up.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2016
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Originally Posted by walter white
i got talked into airbags then pulled them out and added a leaf. (still have the bags if anybody wants them)
11 f250 6.2 3" lift 35" nittos
i really wanted the back lifted a little but it rode like a hay wagon with the bags aired up.
11 f250 6.2 3" lift 35" nittos
i really wanted the back lifted a little but it rode like a hay wagon with the bags aired up.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,210
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From: prince george, bc canada
A quality add a leaf doesn't make the ride too bad. The thing is to buy a "progressive" add a leaf. This is one that is tapered towards the ends. A spring shop usually just throws in a piece of solid spring steel. That makes for a rough ride. My trucks are always lifted and I haul a slide in camper. I use a combination of a progressive add a leaf and air bags to my trucks. When not hauling the camper the bags have 5 lbs in them. When hauling a camper I only need 20-30lbs for a stable ride. My trucks all ride fine when empty. I 4 wheel them as well and they still "flex" decently as well.
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Junior User
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Originally Posted by eberlestock
A quality add a leaf doesn't make the ride too bad. The thing is to buy a "progressive" add a leaf. This is one that is tapered towards the ends. A spring shop usually just throws in a piece of solid spring steel. That makes for a rough ride. My trucks are always lifted and I haul a slide in camper. I use a combination of a progressive add a leaf and air bags to my trucks. When not hauling the camper the bags have 5 lbs in them. When hauling a camper I only need 20-30lbs for a stable ride. My trucks all ride fine when empty. I 4 wheel them as well and they still "flex" decently as well.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 255
From: Livermore Ca.
I kept the stock springs and added the air bags because I haul a 13,000# 5th wheel. My truck sits just fine unloaded but the ride was harsh. After I added the air bags I can add just enough air to cushion the ride. It helped a lot. Saves you from taking the suspension apart and having a problem with something.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 88
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From: New York
I have a 2011 f250 and had the same problem when I hooked up my 10,000lb camper. I added the rough country add a leaf and it gave me about a 2" lift. The ride is still the same as stock and I like the rake. The only other thing I did was to replace the shocks since they were original. I put the bilstein 5100 series in.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 20
From: prince george, bc canada
Most lift kit companies offer add a leafs. They may call them tapered rather than progressive. Large scale spring shops sometimes offer these as well if you ask for them.
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Junior User
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Originally Posted by eberlestock
Most lift kit companies offer add a leafs. They may call them tapered rather than progressive. Large scale spring shops sometimes offer these as well if you ask for them.