Looking for suspention advice

[wyatt1672]

Im getting ready to do some heavy towing on a regular basis, 24K gooseneck trailer. I understand a 3500 dually would be the best to use but I want to use my 2500 2004.5 4 wheel drive for now. I know they have made a 3500 single which as far as i know was only an extra leaf in the rear suspention. I looked at helper springs such as hellwig but they dont necessarily keep the load level. I looked at airbags but I dont if they would provide me with the additional suspention I need. Whats your advice?

 

[mfurrh55]

Air bags, put longer studs in rear hubs, a half inch spacer and dual it out, course you'll need fenders or a dually bed

 

[AH64ID]

I have a 2005 3500 SRW, so my advice is based on that. You can click the link in my sig to see what all I have done to the suspension, but basically it's what I am recommending. I will hit over 7K lbs on the rear axle many weekends this time of year.

My 3500 is identical to your 2500 in terms of frame/brakes/suspension/etc with the one exception you noted.. the upper overload springs. IMHO they are not needed on a SRW truck as they really aren't engaged until you are at 95%, or higher, or the tire loading with OEM tires. If you do upgrade the wheels tires to go well above 6K on the rear axle they are nice, but still let the rear sag too much IMHO without stable loads (I want a set for summer use).

You need to determine how much pin weight you are going to have. The recommended amount it 15-25%, or 3,600 to 6,000lbs of additional rear axle weight. The amount of weight that will hit the front axle it negligible.

First things first, do you have the wheels/tires to support an additional 3,600 to 6,000lbs on the rear axle? If you have OEM wheels and tires the answer is NO. 19.5's are really your only option to support that much weight safely as a SRW, or a DRW. You didn't list or state your cab/bed configuration, but plan on at least 3,000lbs of "empty" rear axle weight. You need wheels/tires that will support up to 9,000lbs on the rear axle or 4,500lbs a corner. DRW or 19.5 245/70R19.5 in LRG.. your only 2 options.

Now for suspension. The suspension will handle the weight fairly well but I would make a few upgrades.

1) If you have a front level kit remove it, or go to a 1" at most.
2) Exhaust Brake
3) Good Brake controller, at a minimum a proportional one.
4) Shocks, Bilstein 5100's are a great shock for a heavy load.
5) Rear anti-sway bar. I like the standard Hellwig for non-TC applications, it makes a HUGE difference
6) Airbags and a compressor.


You will be above the highest GVWR that frame ever had, 12,200, so be aware that while the frame/suspension may be fine you are above the design weight of the brakes. The trailer should stop itself, but make sure the trailer brakes are always in top working order.

You might also find that the BD runs hotter than you want when towing heavy, so consider a Smarty. Ditch that POS K&N, or the high airflow needed for a 30K+ GCW will eat your turbo quickly.

 

[RDeFayette]

Im getting ready to do some heavy towing on a regular basis, 24K gooseneck trailer. I understand a 3500 dually would be the best to use but I want to use my 2500 2004.5 4 wheel drive for now. I know they have made a 3500 single which as far as i know was only an extra leaf in the rear suspention. I looked at helper springs such as hellwig but they dont necessarily keep the load level. I looked at airbags but I dont if they would provide me with the additional suspention I need. Whats your advice?

Correct about the overload spring on top of the spring pack BUT on the 3500 there are springs stops welded to the frame, where the overload spring makes contact, that are NOT on the 2500 frame.
As said above you'll be above the highest combined weight the truck was ever designed to carry haul. That being said my biggest concern would be safety. You'll be over the max GCVW with that truck/trailer combination. If EVERYTHING isn't up to snuff and working properly and you do happen to get in an accident the lawyers will have a field day. Over weight/illegal, done. It's not really getting the load moving, where the problems are, it's getting it stopped.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I think the spring rates for a dually's are different than those for a SRW. I say this because when my truck was new I parked it next to another members dually and his truck sat significantly higher. Both were new, bone stock and unloaded.

 

[AH64ID]

I think the spring rates for a dually's are different than those for a SRW. I say this because when my truck was new I parked it next to another members dually and his truck sat significantly higher. Both were new, bone stock and unloaded.

03-09 yes the main DRW pack is different that SRW.

10+ the DRW and 3500 SRW share the same main pack, but the DRW has overloads.