Camper Package ?
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Joined: Nov 2006
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Originally Posted by aldridgec
To add, the Overload spring is normally considered the big fat leaf at the bottom of the standard spring pack that doesn't hit the rest of the pack when the truck is unloaded, but will when it is loaded.
Elder User
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Do not forget free leving kit. If you look at trucks with the camper package they sit almost level. I think mine might ride a little stiffer but I like that in a truck could be the fx4 package though. The rear sway bar should help reduce body roll, not sure the only new truck I have drivin is mine so I only know how the camper package handles and I know it sits pretty level in quick sharp turns.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Wake Forest, NC
All the SD trucks, and most trucks with leaf springs, will have the overload on the bottom. Just clarifying the terminology! 
The rear sway bar does make a difference. After the accident, I hadn't put it back on for a while. When I did I noticed a big difference in cornering. It oversteered marginally before, and was pretty neutral after. I think the auxiliary springs are more for stability than for load carrying. As the truck comes over to one side it will hit the aux spring on that side limiting roll and sway. It is likely to do that more with something top heavy like a slide in or a salt spreader in the back! IMO the camper package is the best suspension upgrade you can get. Depending on equipment it gets you heavier front springs, but maybe not the heaviest though.
The rear sway bar does make a difference. After the accident, I hadn't put it back on for a while. When I did I noticed a big difference in cornering. It oversteered marginally before, and was pretty neutral after. I think the auxiliary springs are more for stability than for load carrying. As the truck comes over to one side it will hit the aux spring on that side limiting roll and sway. It is likely to do that more with something top heavy like a slide in or a salt spreader in the back! IMO the camper package is the best suspension upgrade you can get. Depending on equipment it gets you heavier front springs, but maybe not the heaviest though.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by alchymist
HOW ODD - my '05 F250 and my '08 F350 both have the "overload" springs on top of the spring pack.....
They should be at the bottom of the spring pack. The "auxiliary" springs should be on top.biz
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From: Wake Forest, NC
Originally Posted by biz4two
Time to take them both in for warranty work. They should be at the bottom of the spring pack. The "auxiliary" springs should be on top.
biz
They should be at the bottom of the spring pack. The "auxiliary" springs should be on top.biz
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Wake Forest, NC
Originally Posted by alchymist
HOW ODD - my '05 F250 and my '08 F350 both have the "overload" springs on top of the spring pack.....
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
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From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by biz4two
Time to take them both in for warranty work. They should be at the bottom of the spring pack. The "auxiliary" springs should be on top.
biz
They should be at the bottom of the spring pack. The "auxiliary" springs should be on top.biz
I just looked again - the bottom leaf in the pack is shorter and thicker than the rest of the pack, with slightly less arch, leaving about 1/2 inch between it and the leaves above it at its outer end. There is a long single leaf on top, spaced several inches above the main leaf, with brackets on the frame holding rubber bumpers a couple inches above the single leaf.
Now, when I add weight to the truck, it is obvious that the main pack will touch the bottom short spring long before the rubber mounts contact the single leaf on top. In fact, with the 5'er hitched, (approx 2500 #), the rubber bumpers still don't touch.
So, if the overload springs are on the bottom, and the auxillary springs are on the top, why does the overload come into play before the aux springs?
As I recall, my '05 F250 was set up the same way. Splain that, Lucy.
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From: Wake Forest, NC
Originally Posted by alchymist
Why not? They put the headlights in upside down.
I just looked again - the bottom leaf in the pack is shorter and thicker than the rest of the pack, with slightly less arch, leaving about 1/2 inch between it and the leaves above it at its outer end. There is a long single leaf on top, spaced several inches above the main leaf, with brackets on the frame holding rubber bumpers a couple inches above the single leaf.
Now, when I add weight to the truck, it is obvious that the main pack will touch the bottom short spring long before the rubber mounts contact the single leaf on top. In fact, with the 5'er hitched, (approx 2500 #), the rubber bumpers still don't touch.
So, if the overload springs are on the bottom, and the auxillary springs are on the top, why does the overload come into play before the aux springs?
As I recall, my '05 F250 was set up the same way. Splain that, Lucy.
I just looked again - the bottom leaf in the pack is shorter and thicker than the rest of the pack, with slightly less arch, leaving about 1/2 inch between it and the leaves above it at its outer end. There is a long single leaf on top, spaced several inches above the main leaf, with brackets on the frame holding rubber bumpers a couple inches above the single leaf.
Now, when I add weight to the truck, it is obvious that the main pack will touch the bottom short spring long before the rubber mounts contact the single leaf on top. In fact, with the 5'er hitched, (approx 2500 #), the rubber bumpers still don't touch.
So, if the overload springs are on the bottom, and the auxillary springs are on the top, why does the overload come into play before the aux springs?
As I recall, my '05 F250 was set up the same way. Splain that, Lucy.
The auxiliary spring is not for load carrying on the lighter trucks (250/350). It is for stability. The overload spring is part of the progressive nature of the main spring pack. I've had 4000lbs in my bed and the aux springs still weren't riding on the bumpers. They would only hit if it was off to one side or the other. They limit the amount that the truck will roll to one side or the other.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
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From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by aldridgec
I have...
The auxiliary spring is not for load carrying on the lighter trucks (250/350). It is for stability. The overload spring is part of the progressive nature of the main spring pack. I've had 4000lbs in my bed and the aux springs still weren't riding on the bumpers. They would only hit if it was off to one side or the other. They limit the amount that the truck will roll to one side or the other.
The auxiliary spring is not for load carrying on the lighter trucks (250/350). It is for stability. The overload spring is part of the progressive nature of the main spring pack. I've had 4000lbs in my bed and the aux springs still weren't riding on the bumpers. They would only hit if it was off to one side or the other. They limit the amount that the truck will roll to one side or the other.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Wake Forest, NC
Originally Posted by alchymist
So what you're saying is I don't have overload springs per se....just a stacked progressive load main spring with auxillary on top?
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