My overload springs don't engage

[tongar]

Hi,

I have a 2001 F350 SC dually. It has the camper package. I carry a 4K lb top-heavy camper. I have put air bags on but with them and the load, the overload springs do not touch the bumpers. I think, but do not know, that a better ride could be had if they engaged. I have seen people in this situation fabricate and bolt metal to the springs to allow engagement. I have two questions:

1. Do I want them to engage? Would this help with sway, porpusing, or if an airbag failed?

2. Who sells something I can bolt onto the springs to help them hit the bumper?

thanks for any ideas,

[a93bowtie]

I've heard of people using a hockey puck on the "bumper" to make up some of the space and get the overloads to engage sooner. The reason they aren't engaging is your airbags are supporting the load before the overloads are needed. You don't want to bolt anything to the spring itself, keep any spacers on the bumper side.

If having trouble with sway, I'd first check that the sway bar is in good working order, and that the 'bags are split left/right. This will allow them to help control sway as well as carry the weight.

Porpoising- you might look at a set of shocks. They say the stock ones barely get you off the lot. A set of bilsteins or ranchos might really wake up the ride.

At any rate, you're probably well overloaded, which may be exaggerating any problems that are present, but with the right gear, your rig should be able to handle it.

[DENNY]

Welcome to the site!!
If you want the overloads to engauge than just let some air out of the airbags until the overloads touch. I run my air bags at about 5-10 lbs when empty and at 40 lbs when hauling my 5th wheel. If you have them at 80-90lbs they will support the full weight of the camper.
I swaped the 4in axle blocks for 2in blocks so my truck sits level when empty. Once I have a load in the bed I just adjust air in the air bags so the truck sits level. This keeps my headlights from pointing where they should be.
I am not sure but I think you might have less sway if the overloads are engauged. Use the air bags to raise and lower the truck and do some test drives to see if it helps. Keep at least 5lbs in the bags.
DENNY

[tongar]

Thanks BigOilBurner & DENNY,

I keep the bags at about 60 lbs. I have a TorkLift Superhitch extention which rides really low, so I need the bag lift to not scrape in driveways.

It just seems that the overloads could be helpful. I agree with BigOilBurner that any buildup would best be on the frame side. However, some people build up the spring like below:
[image]http://lanceowners.infopop.cc/evefiles/photo_albums/3/6/9/36910320411/91810693511_08D270DEC2CE2A6BC6BA7AA737ADE6B9.jpg[/image]

I would prefer to get a taller bump stop like one from this company:

Energy Suspension

But I would be on my own picking one as they do not specifically sell one for this purpose that I can see. If anyone knows of a place to buy a taller bump stop specifically for the F350, let me know.

thanks for the welcome and your ideas,