2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How many #s to contact overloads?

[mchelius]

I was just wondering how many #'s of load for the overloads to touch? I picked up a pallet of fertilizer (2000#s) and still had about 2 inches before contact on my 2500. Anybody have any numbers? Man these trucks are sprung!

 

[TowPro]

I had a 98 2500 with the 8800 lb rear option. With my 2000 lb slidin camper it would be on the overload springs. With my 5th wheel it would be on them. Even a load of firewood and it would be on the springs.



Now I have a 2002 3500, which I thought had the same springs as my 2500. I had a load of "so wet it woulnt burn" firewood in there last weekend, never hit the overload springs.



Once I get my hitch installed I will see how well it does with the 5er in it. I hope it sets down some, the 3500 is a couple inches higher then the 2500 was in the rear, don't want to have to screw with raising the camper.

 

[dresslered]

mchelius-

I have made the same obsevation! With a load of oak firewood, I was no where near the overloads. However, when I load my 4000-lb slide-in, they gently touch. I was beginning to think that they were just for looks (I've got the double spring overloads).

 

[tarussell]

I think it matters on what spring option that the truck was given . I am not just talking about the "Camper Special" or "Tow Group" but each truck is spec'd out for certain spring part #'s by the options that are ordered. So not all rear springs are a standard issue .

On my truck the over loads are way away from the stops and it takes a lot of weight to get them even close to the stops - while a friend of mine has a truck that almost rest on the over loads .

I have loaded up the bed with about the same weight as you described and it had plenty of room between the over loads and the stops too .

Thomas

 

[mchelius]

Thomas



My window sticker says: Camper special group Stabilizer Bar - Rear Springs - Rear Auxiliary

Maximum rated loads: Payload 2,200 lb GVR 8,800

 

[jrobinson2]

My '99 with camper package is about 1/4" off the rear perch and 1/2" off the front perch with my 2600 lb camper loaded (9270 lbs gross) I had a 200 HP (3200) lb electric motor in it a few years ago that set the overloads some but not as much as I expected. I have been very impressed with the way this truck handles a load

Jared

 

[Okie-Go]

I think mine bareley touches with the weight of the 5er. 2180 lbs is the best I remember what teh pin weight is. I have a 2500

 

[E7mack96]

I have had 4,900 lbs in the bed and was about 1/16 off overloads.



I had the load spread evenly ( 4 crates of injection molds (4 ft wide x 2 ft tall x 1. 8 ft deep) @ 1,000 each) and 1 crate with a large mold 3 ft x 3 ft by 1 ft tall @ 900 lbs on top of the 2 middle crates



Truck handled load flawlessly. I have had 6,000 in the bed with no probs, but was sitting on overloads a little.

 

[Sticks]

The springs are great! I made several trips back and forth from my protperty deep in the mountains hauling about 2500#'s of granite rock back home. Wasn't even close to the helpers. Loved the ride too on the way home. Went form a stiff "Truck" feeling to Cadilac. After 120 miles of our nice smoothe Colorado roads . I checked the helpers, and they only had a little bit of rub from the stops. You got to love it when they plan heavy.

 

[WyoJim]

Well goodness sakes... . You guys all need air bags. You can't even put your groceries in the back with having first installed air bags. Air bags are the only way to go. I don't know why DC didn't install air bags as OEM equipment.



And Rancho 9000 shocks... You can't even negotiate your drive way with out them, or you will sway so much your groceries will fall out. Ya, I know I got em, I replaced a leaking OEM with them.

 

[L_Rutigliano]

I have a slide-in camper that weighs 4000lbs and I'm about 1/2" away from the overloads contacting. The backend only drops about 3" with that load in the bed. I have the "camper package". I think the overloads are for looks...

 

[Mad Bomber]

2400#

I put 2400# of pellets on back of bed yes the overloads did contact but still handled good.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Originally posted by lrutigliano

I have a slide-in camper that weighs 4000lbs and I'm about 1/2" away from the overloads contacting. The backend only drops about 3" with that load in the bed. I have the "camper package". I think the overloads are for looks...

I'd agree with the above, I have 3" between the overload, and the mainleaf in the front, and 2" in the back, unless I load the stuffing out of it(i. e 4000+), the overloads don't hit. Wonder why such variance in trucks?



Later, Rob

 

[mgoncalves]

The first week I had my truck I wasn't sure if the springs even moved. I hauled my old f150 4x4 home from Wyoming with a bumper pull car trailer, it didn't come close to the overloads. The exact same truck and trailer on the F250 4x4 that I traded in for the dodge was pretty unsafe to drive. I actually slid down an interstate off ramp on my way to Wyoming with the f250 because there wasn't any weight on the frontend. That is right up there with my all time scariest moments. In all fairness, the f250 was a regular cab gasser, and my dodge weighs a heck of alot more.