helper springs

[wayne]

I have a Ford F - 250 Super Duty short bed which I pull a Crossroads CF32BL. We have noticed recently that the rear leaf springs just about flatten out when pulling the 5 th wheel. Any suggestions on what type any of you have used? Helper springs, Air ride, ??? Thanks for ALL the GREAT help you guys give.



Wayne

[fhenn]

hmmm I could start truck wars IV with this but I wont. I use an air bag, they were in the truck when I bought it I keep 15 PSI in them

[ryeja]

Wayne,

First off welcome to the forum. I have a F-250 SD and have the air ride air bags. The nice thing about the air bags is you can adjust them depending on the load. I don't have the built in compressor or anything fancy, I just have the fill valves routed to the back license plate lower holes. I typically have about 10 psi when not towing and air them up to as much as50-60 psi when the trailer is attatched.

The Ford rides rough enough when empty and I think with the overload springs it'llbeworse.

[cwit]

I don't have a Ford but I vote for the airbags.

[wayne]

Thanks everyone, and keep the suggestions coming. I like my Ford diesel, it's the third one I have had for both work and Rving. They do ride a little rough though. I am going to look more into air bags when I finish this. Thanks again

[Hunter11]

I use Timbrens.

[Lloyd]

I have the Firestone air bags. No on board compressor. I routed the valve stems out just above and right behind the rear tires. Empty, about 7#--9#. With the 5er about 15#--20#.

[RSCREES]

I have an F/350 and added springs but I wish I would have used air bags it would have been a much smoother ride without the load. Go air bags

[oldman]

+1
My F-350 rides like a lumber-wagon with the 450 springs under it.

Go with AIR BAGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Flyone]

Before going to the expense of putting on the air shocks try the tork lift stable loads. they are cheap ($180) easy to replace thesmallstockpads and seem to have helped quite a bit. I don't think, on my F250 that I'll have to go to the air shocks. These thing are about 4" deep and bring your overload springs into contact much sooner the the stock pads. I have only used them a few times so far, butmay get by with just them.



Flyone

[KHUNLINDA2003]

We have a F550 and have the Reyco Granning air suspension. It is based on the same type with a compressor and auto level as you go down the highway and of course it is adjustable but I wish I had gone with a cheaper system (this one was 4K) and just got the helper air springs. I guess Goodyear has a good set but look in the yellow pages and find a shop that specializes in springs and suspensions. We have found that our system is too complicated for anyone but a specialist to fix.

[Canucklehead]

The Goodyear air bags have worked great for us. Prior to the air bags the truck would ride on the overload springs when towing the trailer and would sag in the rear. Now everything runs level.
They are not as harsh a ride as helper springs when unloaded.
Good luck.

[wayne]

Again, thanks to everyone for the advice. I actually went with the Timbrens. I really liked the idea of the air ride type, but we have 2 still in college. One will be graduating in May but then getting married in June. Just trying to save a few dollars. They really worked well and I was pleased on our first trip out with them installed. I have always gotten around 10 miles to the gallon before but on this trip I got right at 12. That's the only difference that I know of. We were traveling from NC to Tennesse so had to cross the mountains. Ready to head out again very soon. Happy camping to everyone.

[Korbe & Diana]

Hey Wayne. I have stock F250 with no weight distribution problems. What is your pin weight from the 5er?

[buddhabob1]

Id go for theair bags too !