helper springs

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

12vcummins59

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2016
Posts
71
Reaction score
5
Ram Year
1996
Engine
Cummins 5.9
I was looking at getting husky springs LP7 helper springs from rockauto so my truck doesn't squat as much when I haul wood or sometimes hay but it said that the weight rating on the springs is only 1000 pounds which is obviously less than I haul so what is a good option that would help it not squat as much but not be very expensive? It is a 96 ram 2500HD. Thanks.
 

dudeman2009

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Posts
1,562
Reaction score
208
Location
Arizona
Ram Year
2001 1500 Sport with enough electrical modifications to make my brain hurt
Engine
Magnum 360
The springs are rated per side I believe, so unless otherwise stated, double the rating for a set, that is what it will 'add' when loaded directly above the axle.

Air bags are another option, but can be a rip off if you get the cheap ones. Personally, i'd get a set of bags for semis and stick those on there myself, they'll last longer.
 

bcbouy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2014
Posts
1,730
Reaction score
1,182
Location
pitt meadows/100 mile house
Ram Year
2021 power wagon
Engine
hemi
supersprings are progressive rate ,helwigs , stableloads,timbrens,even a block between your spring pack and the overload will work.all relatively cheap compared to airbags or a stiffer spring pack.personally,i have supersprings for support and airbags for leveling. you don't feel the supersprings when it's not carrying a load.unless you're a total ******,you won't kill a set of airbags.and even if you do they'll replace them if you've installed them properly.keeping in mind they are for leveling,not increasing your weight rating.not in a million years will you fit semi bags on your truck,and even if you do it would be as comfortable as falling down the stairs.and you can't double the rate of springs,that's not how they're rated.there's no such thing as "cheap" airbags. sorry,but that whole post is just wrong.
 
Last edited:

dudeman2009

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Posts
1,562
Reaction score
208
Location
Arizona
Ram Year
2001 1500 Sport with enough electrical modifications to make my brain hurt
Engine
Magnum 360
I'll stand to be corrected on the proper rating on helper spring.

However there is such a thing as cheap airbags. You can get bags and the install kit for sub $200, its nothing more than the bags and a valve stem style connector for pumping them up. Real cheap, super thin walls on the airbags and will blow out the first time you hit a bad set of tracks with them pumped up and under load.

As for Semi bags, Firestone has a kit that will mount single height bags. You can go and get upper frame mounts for bags, and retrofit the lower bag mounts in order to fit single height bags. I never said you'd get standard double heigh bags under there, but Firestone does sell low height bags for the exact use on pickups. I'm not talking the sleeve style, yes those are only for leveling, it could take 75psi to level 1000lbs, but on a small bellows style you'd need less than 40psi.

There are plenty of pickups with heavy duty airbags, its a little more expensive than buying new spring packs plus coils for the front, but it will be far from a horrible ride. Air suspension provides a very smooth ride, and only increases stiffness with load, exactly like helper springs. Semi's only ride hard because of the massive spring packs and high tire pressures they run even at no load.

And yes, bags are not solely used to hold weight, they are used for leveling tractors. However they can take 10klbs load to do so.

We can agree to disagree bcboy.
 
OP
OP
1

12vcummins59

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2016
Posts
71
Reaction score
5
Ram Year
1996
Engine
Cummins 5.9
Screenshot_2016-08-15-10-01-11.jpg here's what it looks like loaded, I get more in there now because I took the tool box out
 

dudeman2009

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Posts
1,562
Reaction score
208
Location
Arizona
Ram Year
2001 1500 Sport with enough electrical modifications to make my brain hurt
Engine
Magnum 360
A pair of helper springs isn't going to help a ton there. It might raise it by an inch or two, but not enough to level it out.

I stand by my original statement. A set of bellows style airbags will bring that right back. Forget all that garbage about them not being used to hold weight but instead just level. You cant level anything without holding weight. Many air ride travel busses use nothing but bellows style air bags and rubber bottom out protection.

If you really want to get fancy, you can even get a leveling valve and hook it up with an ignition switched compressor so it auto levels. Then when you take the load out it automatically vents pressure from the bags so you don't have to.

Its more work than a set of springs, and a bit more expensive, but a thousand times more satisfactory. Trailering would be a breeze too.

(You still have to pay attention to max vehicle weight ratings though)
 

95Ram5.9

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Posts
9
Reaction score
0
Location
Hbg. Pa.
Ram Year
1995
Engine
5.9
Hello, I have a set of Firestone bags in my 1500. I had them now for 10+ years. One dry rotted on me so I replaced it with another. I hauled wood, camper, hay with a 18ft fully loaded trailer, skid steer and trailer consisting of 10k and never did I have a thought of them not holding up. I will be putting a set on my 2500 this winter. Just my experience...
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
194,926
Posts
2,864,177
Members
155,296
Latest member
VLG6963
Top