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10-22-2015, 09:13 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Missouri
Posts: 441
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Sagging Leaves or Shocks on Tow Vehicle
Our 1994 Suburban is beginning to sag in the rear end when hooked to our Salem Ultra-Lite trailer. Weighing it our local CAT scales, too much weight isn't the problem. In having it inspected today by our local, and trusted tire/shock dealer, they indicated they could replace the aging shocks with either OEM, air or self-adjusting rear shocks. Another option would be to add another leaf to the suspension on each side. Given the age of the truck, their recommendation is to install NAPA self-adjusting shocks at app. $150 a pair.
Anyone have experience with this brand and model of shock, or other thoughts.
Thanks
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10-23-2015, 06:58 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Albany, GA.
Posts: 1,359
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One option you may consider: I had to add "heper springs" to my 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 after I bought it. When I hooked up the TT the truck would "washboard" while going down the road. My previous truck, a 2007 GMC Sierra Z71 2-wd didn't do this with the same TT. Making adjustments to the WDH made no difference. A friend who works at the local truck accessory place recommended them. I believe they were "Hellwig" brand and only one leaf. The installation was simple and they did make a great improvement.
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10-23-2015, 07:17 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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Given the age, I would just have a new set of springs installed.
Add a new pair of shocks too.
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
__________________
2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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10-23-2015, 07:30 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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IF you feal safe with all the Weight held up by (2) 1/2" shock rods take their advice! Youroo!!
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10-23-2015, 08:32 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Missouri
Posts: 441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo
IF you feal safe with all the Weight held up by (2) 1/2" shock rods take their advice! Youroo!!
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What would you recommend?
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10-23-2015, 08:38 AM
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#6
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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New springs and shocks.
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10-23-2015, 09:01 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Komoka Ontario
Posts: 2,680
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny kustom
Given the age, I would just have a new set of springs installed.
Add a new pair of shocks too.
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
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X2
__________________
"Well that didn't go as expected"
2015 Chev 2500HD Highcountry Duramax
Cedar Creek Silverback 33IK
Donald&Casey cairn terrier
Rest in Peace Mary my darling wife.
Scottish by birth Canadian by time.
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10-23-2015, 09:15 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 164
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny kustom
Given the age, I would just have a new set of springs installed.
Add a new pair of shocks too.
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
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X3 or maybe X4
Shocks aren't the reason the vehicle sags.
The problem is that the springs have weakened or were stressed beyond their elastic limit at some point.
Get new springs.
And if you go to the trouble and cost of replacing the springs, it makes no sense to put old shocks back in.
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10-23-2015, 11:36 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,022
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny kustom
Given the age, I would just have a new set of springs installed.
Add a new pair of shocks too.
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
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X5
__________________
David and Vicki
19-month-old English Springer Spaniel "Sadie"
2019 Silverado LTZ Duramax
2023 GDRV Reflection 150 226RK
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10-23-2015, 11:50 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: oakdale, ca
Posts: 292
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Air assist bag would also help.
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10-23-2015, 11:56 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 153
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gyrogearloose
X3 or maybe X4
Shocks aren't the reason the vehicle sags.
The problem is that the springs have weakened or were stressed beyond their elastic limit at some point.
Get new springs.
And if you go to the trouble and cost of replacing the springs, it makes no sense to put old shocks back in.
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X2. With a new set of springs, you wouldn't have to get air leveling shocks, but a new set will help the ride.
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10-23-2015, 11:57 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,413
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Shocks, with the exception of air shocks or air bags, are not designed to carry the weight of your vehicle. That's what springs or air bags are for. Shocks are there to control the "spring action" of your leaf or coil springs. I'm sure you've seen old vehicles bouncing up and down as they navigate down the road, they need NEW SHOCKS!
The recommendation of new spring and shocks is a solid recommendation. The alternative would be air shocks or air bags to supplement your current rear springs.
Myself, if the OEM suspension is adequate to handle the weight your putting on the rear of your vehicle, I'd replace the springs and shocks. If that weight is at or close to the max weight your vehicle can handle, consider air shocks or air bags.
__________________
Days camping (2016)----181 days
Days camping (2017) --- 82 days
2016 Wildcat MAXX 28RKX (33' TT), 2007 13' Scamp
2015 Ram Laramie Hemi, w/air suspension
30 years RV'ing
11 different RV's
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10-23-2015, 11:58 AM
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#13
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny kustom
Given the age, I would just have a new set of springs installed.
Add a new pair of shocks too.
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
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I'm totally with this route.
Why put a band aid on it?
TURBS
2008 duramax
2015 columbus 320RS
2015 camping "31 nights"
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10-23-2015, 11:58 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,022
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As an afterthought, you could have a set of springs custom made for your Burb to carry your weight and avoid the hassles of air shocks.
__________________
David and Vicki
19-month-old English Springer Spaniel "Sadie"
2019 Silverado LTZ Duramax
2023 GDRV Reflection 150 226RK
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10-23-2015, 12:28 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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Check out deaver springs.
2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK
__________________
2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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10-23-2015, 12:42 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: N GA Mtns
Posts: 111
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We used Supersprings Helper springs. They work great but a bit stiffer ride. Auto Anything will match Amazon with free shipping and no tax. Simple install
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10-23-2015, 01:00 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Dunn, NC
Posts: 1,199
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo
IF you feal safe with all the Weight held up by (2) 1/2" shock rods take their advice! Youroo!!
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Shocks don't hold up any weight; they control motion. Exception---coil over shock (race car) or air shocks. Otherwise, they control spring oscillation.
That why they are called "dampers" in some circles. Add a leaf to your springs. Did that to a Dodge van with good results.
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10-23-2015, 01:58 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pdqparalegal1
Shocks don't hold up any weight; they control motion. Exception---coil over shock (race car) or air shocks. Otherwise, they control spring oscillation.
That why they are called "dampers" in some circles. Add a leaf to your springs. Did that to a Dodge van with good results.
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My Post was meant as a slam,I know what shocks are for! Youroo!!
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10-23-2015, 02:42 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Wisconsin/Florida
Posts: 1,905
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We have used Firestone Ride-Rite air bags on our last three trucks. They make a world of difference when towing or carrying heavy loads. These bags are place directly between the axle and the frame. I would suggest these over air shocks because they are much more substantial and last a very long time. The pressure can be adjusted according to the load. We use 10 lbs without a load and 60 lbs when we had a slide in camper. Forty to 50 lbs would be the range for a travel trailer. You can level your rig with air pressure. You can't do that with helper springs.Ride Rites are also pretty easy to install yourself.
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10-27-2015, 10:19 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Missouri
Posts: 441
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As a follow up, we just installed NAPA self-adjusting shocks and see/feel the difference. Taking our trailer out this weekend for one last outing, so we'll see how it does. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
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