Bluecollar Hotrods

iTrader: (18)

Had to shuffle around a few vehicles this morning, luckily not far. My truck is a 2001 2WD 1/2 ton. 253K + miles. Not seen in the attached picture is my 18' foot open car trailer, has a winch and some gear in the toolbox on the tongue. On the trailer is my 1972 SS 454 Chevelle. I'd guess 5500+ lbs of car and trailer. The car was placed properly on the trailer, I even shifted it back to try and help it out. I just had to move it around the yard, I would have had to borrow a truck if I needed to go any distance.

I have a new set of Bilstein 5100s for the truck and a set of leafs from a lower mileage truck. (126K) But after seeing this, I am sweating things.

So 3/4 ton leaf springs? Or Firestone helper bags?

FFDP

iTrader: (2)

Helper bags.

jakenm

So what did you get? Air bags are a better choice since they are adjustable. It is good also if you have on board air compressor.

mongoss

I have a set of Airlift 5000 airbags under the back of my 03 Silverado for the past 10 years.
Airlift sends you all you need to install the kit, brackets lines etc.

Use a stand alone VIAAR compressor that easily hooks up to the battery to inflate the airbags & tires when I need to.


Both of these work really well together and I do understand the onboard air system but haven't really found the need to have an air tank and a "wired" system in the truck.


The flexibility of a stand alone compressor makes it great when we take my Subaru Outback out on the trails and have to air up or down the tires to have some fun.


I haul a 14 foot enclosed trailer 2 weekends a month for the Boy Scouts in my area Eastern PA up and down the hills along with a 18 foot car trailer frequently with firewood usually loaded on the deck instead of the show car that my dad owns.

Bluecollar Hotrods

iTrader: (18)

Just an update, it's much better now. I swapped in the other springs, installed the Bilstein 5100s, and a Belltech rear sway bar. I also put a stepside bed on the truck - supposedly they are lighter. (Not the reason why I did it though)

It has a 500 lb lighter vehicle on the trailer this time. The true test will be when I put my 72' on the trailer again.

MrHorsepowerLSx

iTrader: (13)

So those pics are with the other springs that you swapped from the lower mileage truck? That's a nice improvement

Bluecollar Hotrods

iTrader: (18)

The first post is 250K + mile leaf springs and unknown shocks. (They weren't factory, but who knows how old they were) My more recent post is 126K mile springs, new Bilstein 5100s.