Need stiffer suspension

[doodah man]

Hi all,

For a while we're going to be using our truck like a truck. 3 days a week hauling a 3500 lb trailer around philadelphia.

I'm wondering what the options are for beefing up the rear suspension. Right now the trailer is pulling it down about 4 inches. I've read some about factory overload springs, but don't know much about em. Are there other aftermarket options? Is this even what i'm looking for?

It's a 72 C10 LWB with coils all around.

thanks in advance.

[PanelDeland]

The helpers might do the job.You can also get helper airbags.I think I would look at the airbags if you use the truck unloaded.If it's always loaded either should help but may not solve the problem

[cdowns]

a 3500lb trailer but how much tounge weight ? any attempt to balance the load will help ALOT

you might want to try getting 3/4ton springs for your truck

[haysonj]

Here is what I did, cost about $200 but are good up to 2000 lbs When I load up to go camping I put about 50 lbs of air in them

[MidLifer]

2nd on the 3/4 ton idea. My "FrankenC10" was changed over by PO to 3/4 ton leaf springs, 14-bolt rear, 16" wheels all around and HD coils in the front and tows my boat just fine. I like the stance better as well. BTW it all came out of a late-70s truck, so you can use parts from a squarebody, which are more readily available in junkyards in our area than our trucks. It's not a minor project though and this sounds like a temporary use for your truck, so hmm.

Also would agree on checking the tongue weight of the trailer. Tongue weight should be 10-15% of trailer weight, and a 3500lb trailer properly balanced shouldn't be pushing your truck's rear down that much.

[doodah man]

MidLifer, Cdowns, I don't know the tongue weight. It's a mobile concession trailer (see pic). I can't do much to change the weight distribution outside of strapping a bunch of weight to the back of it.

I'm wondering if my springs might be shot. I noticed this morning that the 3 middle coils were almost touching without the trailer. I'll take some pictures of the springs with and without the trailer later today and post them here.

I did a little more reading and it looks like I might benefit by replacing them with variable rate springs.

Thanks for the help.

[sKnNyPpY]

Maybe a taller hitch ball to level it out? I'm assuming that you're using the bumper hitch. Something like this:

http://www.etrailer.com/Balls/Curt/C40044.html

[BMERDOC]

Heck, Being a '72 it probably has the original coils. A set of stock replacements would probably do a lot but maybe some HD coils would be better.

[Boog]

For the occasional tow a pair of ezlift bags with a bumper mounted valve is an easy way to go and still have a good ride with stock coil springs when not towing.