First time hauling any substantial weight in my 04 1500

[KIDRR]

25 bags of mulch, about 800lbs total with some other stuff I had in there.

The power was fine, hardly noticed anything being back there. However the suspension was bottoming out when I went over speed bumps and out driveways. I took it as slow as I could.

Should I be worried about the suspension bottoming out? Think I need to replace my old 14yr old suspension parts?

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

25 bags of mulch, about 800lbs total with some other stuff I had in there.

The power was fine, hardly noticed anything being back there. However the suspension was bottoming out when I went over speed bumps and out driveways. I took it as slow as I could.

Should I be worried about the suspension bottoming out? Think I need to replace my old 14yr old suspension parts?

2 ideas...maybe 3

1. Move the load fwd in the bed.
2. Remove 1500 badges & replace w/ 2500 badges

If neither works, yeah, you might very well need springs & shocks. You shouldn't have bottomed out hitting a speed bump.

 

[KIDRR]

2 ideas...maybe 3

1. Move the load fwd in the bed.
2. Remove 1500 badges & replace w/ 2500 badges

If neither works, yeah, you might very well need springs & shocks. You shouldn't have bottomed out hitting a speed bump.

Thanks for the reply.

1. The load was as forward as it could get, the tool box blocked it from going all the way against the cab
2. If I do this will I also get 2500 fuel economy?

I'm thinking it's time for an upgrade on suspension anyway

 

[Ballistic308]

The only part that holds the truck up (in the rear) are the springs. Look at replacing those and the bushings.

 

[SYKRAMMAN]

If you don’t haul heavy loads often, then I wouldn’t upgrade the springs, just replace stocks as the ride quality will suffer.

 

[Later2u]

I put in a Firestone airbag system on my '04 1500. No air in system, ride is normal. Add air when hauling a load, works great.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CMIV4S/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[mlcartier1]

I have the same problem with bottoming out, do you have a replacement rear spring suggestion? I've already replaced the shocks and have not seen any improvement.

 

[Smokeybear01]

I have the same problem with bottoming out, do you have a replacement rear spring suggestion? I've already replaced the shocks and have not seen any improvement.

Shocks don't add lift unless they're air shocks, which puts a lot of load on the shock mounts. I would do like 'later2u' did and get some easy to install air bags if you only haul heavy occasionally. If you're hauling heavy all the time, a heavier truck is the only answer. Good luck