Leaf spring Load Rating??
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 39
Likes: 2
Leaf spring Load Rating??
I feel stupid. This should be obvious. Load Rating for a Leaf Spring.
Is it the absolute maximum load the spring itself can carry?
The rear of my van weighs 4080lbs loaded for a weekend trip.
The load rating I need for each rear leaf spring is then
(4080lbs - unsprung weight) / 2 + safety factor ?
And I guess always take one up rather than one down. Or am I overthinking this?
Is it the absolute maximum load the spring itself can carry?
The rear of my van weighs 4080lbs loaded for a weekend trip.
The load rating I need for each rear leaf spring is then
(4080lbs - unsprung weight) / 2 + safety factor ?
And I guess always take one up rather than one down. Or am I overthinking this?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,013
Likes: 205
From: SoCal
Picking the spring rate a matter of how much sag in the ride height you want with no load vs full load, plus some margin. I know this well for coil springs, but I don't have experience calculating for leaf springs.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 39
Likes: 2
Oh it would be so much easier if the manufacturers would specify the spring rate for the leaf springs! Or a force/deflection curve since leaf springs are slightly progressive in nature.
Spring rate is a term I am familiar with. Load rate on the other hand is a term I do not know.
Spring rate is a term I am familiar with. Load rate on the other hand is a term I do not know.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Talk with a knowledgeable spring shop or manufacturer to get their specific recommendations based on your real-world or anticipated use of your particular vehicle. That way there's no guessing, calculating or guessing what to use.
Terminology can be helpful or problematic depending on who uses it and who hears it.
Terminology can be helpful or problematic depending on who uses it and who hears it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
= shipping costs) but maybe contact Junior at the ATS spring shop---they're a sponsor here on FTE.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 39
Likes: 2
I may order the springs through a local shop, but I still need to know what to buy.
I only need to know if "Load Rating" refers to:
A) The weight as measured at the tire-ground surfaces (like GAWR)
B) The weight on the leaf springs, unsprung weight excluded. (Most likely)
C) Payload? (Probably not.. but some google results point to that anyway)
I only need to know if "Load Rating" refers to:
A) The weight as measured at the tire-ground surfaces (like GAWR)
B) The weight on the leaf springs, unsprung weight excluded. (Most likely)
C) Payload? (Probably not.. but some google results point to that anyway)
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Repeating myself contact Junior at ATS spring shop---almost certainly he'll have an immediate recommendation for you. @ATS Junior
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 39
Likes: 2
I ended up purchasing the 2250lbs "heavy duty" version instead of the standard 1685 lbs version. At least now the leaf springs can match the load capacity of the axle. Right?
Haven't installed them yet though.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 39
Likes: 2
@refur Did you already install the heavy duty 2250lbs leaf springs?
What is your experience with them loaded vs unloaded?
What is your experience with them loaded vs unloaded?
I never drive the van completely empty, there's always some load in it. But I think it would't be too bad empty. The original springs are very weak. I think the E250/E350 springs might be too stiff.
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