Helper springs and shocks 04 3500 ?

[Sherman]

I have 04 3500 4dr HO 6sd and pull a 3 horse with Living Quarters trailer that weighs in at about 13000#. On any road that is less than interstate smooth at 50 to 60 mph the truck starts to bounce on the helper springs. The only way to stop the bounce is to slow down,this is most annoying for passengers in the truck and sure can't be good for the horses in the trailer. The truck is a box stock dually,I have considered heaver shocks but can't find any,also considered removing the helper springs but the load is too heavy. Any ideas from the 5er's that have had this problem.

 

[TCDiesel]

springs

Install 2. 5" bump stops from energy-suspension,Effective and low cost.

 

[DPelletier]

I'm in the same boat. Approximately 3,700 lbs on the truck. I'm going to install spacers on the overload seats to engage them 2" earlier. Also probably going to install Rancho 9000X's. They made a huge difference in dampening on my '01. 5. For the part number, look at the 3rd gen FAQ sticky at the top of this forum.

My friend has the same truck and went a slightly more expensive route. He had a leaf added to the overloads and had them re-arced to have only about 1" clearance empty. Works great and cost him $250. 00.



Dave

 

[jvmoore]

I pull a 37 foot 4 horse trailer with living quarters empty wt 13500#. I put an air ride hitch on the trailer. It takes most of the impact out of the truck. . I can look in the mirror and watch the trailer "float" over bumps. Expensive but makes a nicer ride for both the driver and the horses.

 

[favord]

I went for the Ride Rite air bags on my 04. 5 and really helped pulling the horse trailer. Night and day difference - like yours, my truck sat right on the overloads before the airbags. Now I just hitch up, pump up the bags to get truck back to the unloaded height and get down the road.

 

[TCDiesel]

Re: springs

Originally posted by TWest

Install 2. 5" bump stops from energy-suspension,Effective and low cost.

 

[y-knot]

You are looking at the problem back wards. The shocks are there to control oscillation, they are not designed to carry weight. There job is to allow the suspension to go Thur it's normal range of motion, in a controlled manor, and having it settle back down smoothly and quickly. I also pull a heavy goose neck (15,000+), and yes I know about the overloads slapping there stops, on every bump. In order to achieve a smooth ride while pulling your trailer and while not, the best option I have found is Air Bags. After several years of experimenting, I have found that by removing the overload spring pack, and installing a good HD 5000lb air bag, the ride is unbelievably better, and the bags are more then enough to support the weight.

The Dodge comes with a very heavy duty rear spring pack, they alone can handle much more then most realize. The problem with the rough ride stems from the overloads slapping against their stops. This happen while empty and going over a speed bump, or while loaded and the springs are much closer to their stops which makes them hit with the slightest of bump. Removing the overloads illuminates the slap, and gives the necessary room to mount the HD bags, at the center of the axle like they should be mounted.

Al I can say is the ride is so much improved you would not believe you are in the same truck, I think the ride is even better then most half tons. I have found that while driving empty, I can run 35-40 psi and the ride is velvet smooth, that is just enough pressure to take the weight of the truck off the springs and allow the air bags to soak-up all the road. When loaded, I run 50-55 psi and the truck sets level and has a fantastic ride.

I also run a quality shock (Bilstien), while they are not designed to carry a load, a good shock will definitely help control the ride which results in a better ride. Good Luck.

 

[EB]

Believe airbags will be your best bet. I've run them on my 03 since new and also on my last Dodge. You don't have to worry about taking the overload spring out, on the 3rd gen trucks the airbags mount inside of the frame. Shouldn't take more than an hour to mount them. I drag a heavy gooseneck for a living and have never had a minute of trouble with them. They are well worth the cost, about $250 - $300 depending where you get them.

 

[DPelletier]

Y-knot,

The rear springs on your 2nd gen are stiffer than 3rd gen springs.

I would agree that air bags may be a satisfactory solution for hauling a gooseneck trailer. For my application (heavy slide-in camper) the airbags do a poor job of controlling sway. You're right about the shocks, they are there to dampen movement only and shouldn't be relied upon to make up for weak springs. I'll try the "bumpstops" that TWest has shown us, or more likely a homemade equivalent. If that doesn't do it, I'm going to add a leaf to the main pack.



Dave

 

[Sherman]

Thanks for all the ideas guys,do appreciate your time and input on the matter,just to clearify my point when the trailer is on the truck and not moving the helper springs are engaged on their rider pts. I believe it's that extra spring load in the helpers that cause the truck to bounce on the uneven road, the purpose of the shock is to smooth out and dampen those movements that's why the question about the shock was asked, on the question on the 21/2 spacer- does the truck bang on it's helpers when empty, I had a Chevy 1 ton that did that- quite annoying

 

[TCDiesel]

Originally posted by Sherman

Thanks for all the ideas guys,do appreciate your time and input on the matter,just to clearify my point when the trailer is on the truck and not moving the helper springs are engaged on their rider pts. I believe it's that extra spring load in the helpers that cause the truck to bounce on the uneven road, the purpose of the shock is to smooth out and dampen those movements that's why the question about the shock was asked, on the question on the 21/2 spacer- does the truck bang on it's helpers when empty, I had a Chevy 1 ton that did that- quite annoying

Sherman, send PM. NO THEY WILL NOT BANG IF YOU USE THE RIGHT BUMP STOPS { 2. 5 WITH SPACERS}. ONE OTHER BENEFIT IS THEY WILL STOP MOST OF THE SWAY AND ALWAY KEEP YOUR AXLE STRAIGHT WHEN OFF ROAD USE.