Adding to, or replace leaf springs help (pics)

[Onawave]

Hi all, Really needing advise/help here. I HAD a GMC 3500 dually gasser, but sold it and bought a 2001 F350 dually. I tow a 5th wheel (about 15k pounds). The GMC never bottomed out in 7 yrs of towing this 5er. My first trip with the F350 was this week end and I bottomed out a couple of times.

I have read leaf springs can go bad, and there are after market ones like (Timbren). I have also read where you can just add a leaf. AIR BAGS ARE NOT AN OPTION. Can anyone offer advise on Leaf springs, so I wont bottom out next time towing. Thanks, (pics below is with my 5th wheel attached on the truck). Thanks.

[shawnb99]

your best option in your case is a 450 or 550 rear spring. add a leafs are more for a slight increase in lift, not additional loads.

timbrens are urethane type bump stop, but longer in length that aid in loads, but judging by your pics, you have a very tongue heavy 5th wheel.

a replacement 350 spring maybe in order, but i think a 450 would your choice move.

[jesilvas]

That doesn't look bottomed out to me

[Onawave]

Thank you Shawn, I'm not sure what the pin weight of this is, but total weight of the 5er is about 15k. My GMC did squat down, but going over speed bumps, or rough roads, it never hit bottom. This truck did. So, I"m not sure if the leafs are worn out on this truck, or just not as many as I had on my GMC.

I don't want to lift the truck, but don't want it to bottom out towing again.. So, replacing these with new leafs springs would be best. On a web search, I see a 6, 7, and even a 10 leaf spring. Rated up to 4400 lbs. I also looked at Hellwig's but not sure how those work. Totally new to mods on trucks, always went with stock trucks. Thanks.

[Onawave]

Originally Posted by jesilvas

That doesn't look bottomed out to me

Going up hwy 101 here in Oregon, is a rough highway.. I could hear/feel the truck bottom out when towing. Maybe it was hitting stops, or blocks, but it was hitting hard. That's a bad highway, and top speed is 40 in some areas. I just never heard, or felt that on my GMC in 7 yrs.

[Onawave]

These wouldn't be the way to go? Just replace with heavy duty 450's? Sorry.. again, just never dealt with this kind of thing before. Thanks,

Hellwig 3505 LP 35 3500lb Helper Spring Kit Pair Ford Dodge Chevy GMC Pickup | eBay

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I had those on my Chevy for a camper.... They work but make a lot of noise while empty.

[Onawave]

What I'm thinking now, is would those work if my springs lost their lift? I read that leaf springs can wear out. These would be cheaper to put on, then buying new OME style leaf springs, but would they work I wonder.

[shawnb99]

do aa search for CT Performance, ( cary ) is a vendor on here, he is very knowledgeable with the suspensions, and has great prices on all parts.

[Onawave]

Thank you Shawn