My 02 Chevy 4X4 crew cab SB is squatting a little when I hitch up my 3H GN with 8' LQ. Its not a huge amount of squat - maybe 2-3 inches - and aside from this, the truck hauls the trailer fine. I'm thinking that I should get something like helper springs (not sure if that's the correct name) to help the truck. Is this something to worry about and take action on? If I should take action, any recommendations? Are helper springs the right solution?
Posted 2005-10-11 5:38 PM (#31595 - in reply to #31594) Subject: RE: Truck Squat
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366 Location: Albany, Oregon
1500 or 2500?...assuming it's a 2500 I would say if it is handling the load fine it is OK. I would be concerned if your headlights blind people at night! Then maybe. Wait for more opinions!
Posted 2005-10-11 5:38 PM (#31596 - in reply to #31594) Subject: RE: Truck Squat
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by Hillview on 2005-10-11 5:24 PM
My 02 Chevy 4X4 crew cab SB is squatting a little when I hitch up my 3H GN with 8' LQ. Its not a huge amount of squat - maybe 2-3 inches - and aside from this, the truck hauls the trailer fine. I'm thinking that I should get something like helper springs (not sure if that's the correct name) to help the truck. Is this something to worry about and take action on? If I should take action, any recommendations? Are helper springs the right solution?
Angie
I measured mine when the truck was still fairly new.
SOMEwhere I have the figures, but I don't remember if it is > the 2 or 3 inches you mentioned. Subjectively 2 or 3 doesn't seem excessive.
I think it only MATTERS if it is bad and getting worse )-:
If it is due to an overload condition your only REAL options are to swap the truck or the trailer.
I'd take it to a spring rebuilder for a free lookit before "investing" in brightly colored add on springy bits. You could have a cracked spring, even at ONLY 3 years old.
Posted 2005-10-11 5:50 PM (#31598 - in reply to #31594) Subject: RE: Truck Squat
Veteran
Posts: 194 Location: PA
Its a 2500 - sorry I left that out. I thought I read somewhere that helper springs can help the back end of the truck manage the load better. I feared that since my truck is squatting, I might be damaging the springs and/or suspension over time. But I'm not an expert, hence the question! I have not noticed worsening of the problem over the last month or so.
Posted 2005-10-11 6:00 PM (#31600 - in reply to #31598) Subject: RE: Truck Squat
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by Hillview on 2005-10-11 5:50 PM
Its a 2500 - sorry I left that out. I thought I read somewhere that helper springs can help the back end of the truck manage the load better. I feared that since my truck is squatting, I might be damaging the springs and/or suspension over time. But I'm not an expert, hence the question! I have not noticed worsening of the problem over the last month or so.
Yes, no, whatever.
There are at least two viewpoints on this.
One is that the springs can take what the springs can take and if you don't overload them... they can take it.
Another is that "supplementary springs" of some sort will in some way "help out" or "save wear on" or "add capacity to" the factory suspension.
To NEED these you would either have to overload the truck or be trying to add an accessory where a repair is needed. Beware bright colors (-:
BTW, by definition springs DO compress (or extend) under load (-:
Posted 2005-10-11 6:13 PM (#31602 - in reply to #31594) Subject: RE: Truck Squat
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366 Location: Albany, Oregon
In the old days trucks rode like trucks empty! Put a 1000#s in the back and they felt much better. Now they ride pretty good empty! The first 2 or so inches of spring are quite soft to help the ride quality when empty. As they "squat" more of the springs become effective to handle the load. If you had a broken spring it would tend to list to one side. I think if it handles fine you are ok! My truck drops about 2" and I have no LQ's, and it tows great!
Posted 2005-10-12 8:32 AM (#31622 - in reply to #31594) Subject: RE: Truck Squat
Veteran
Posts: 104
I SEE ALOT OF PEOPLE UP HERE USING AIR BAGS TO LEVEL THE TRUCK. EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO ABOUT THEM SEEMS QUITE IMPRESSED. I THINK THEY LET THE AIR OUT WHEN THEY HAVE NO LOAD, AND PUMP THEM UP ACORDING TO THE LOAD THEY ARE HAULING. I BELIEVE YOU CAN GET A CHEAP ONE FOR ABOUT $300. PLUS INSTALL.
Posted 2005-10-12 4:09 PM (#31652 - in reply to #31594) Subject: RE: Truck Squat
Regular
Posts: 60 Location: Ky
Originally written by Hillview on 2005-10-11 5:24 PM
My 02 Chevy 4X4 crew cab SB is squatting a little when I hitch up my 3H GN with 8' LQ. Its not a huge amount of squat - maybe 2-3 inches - and aside from this, the truck hauls the trailer fine. I'm thinking that I should get something like helper springs (not sure if that's the correct name) to help the truck. Is this something to worry about and take action on? If I should take action, any recommendations? Are helper springs the right solution? Angie
I put a set of Timbren springs on my dually a couple of yesrs ago to help with leveling. I love them. I would recommend them to anyone. They work just like air springs without having to air them up or have an onboard compressor. I had air springs on another truck with the the onboard compressor and it's the next best thing.
The Timbrens are maintenance free. The ride just above touching when unloaded. They keep the truck from dropping much when you put the load on. The coast was about $250 installed on a Chevy dually two years ago.
Just look up Timbren overload springs on the computer. They will even steer you to a dealer near where you are. They were fully guaranteed to do what they said or they would take them off and give a full refund on the parts and labor. Needless to say, I kept mine.
Two years later and 30,000 miles pulling a 13,000 lb gooseneck and they still work and look like like new.
Posted 2005-10-12 7:08 PM (#31662 - in reply to #31594) Subject: RE: Truck Squat
Regular
Posts: 82 Location: The Land of Ahs
We had the hollow rubber springs, as described on the timbren website noted above, installed on our 2500 Silverado because the truck bed squatted when the gooseneck was hooked on, (tongue weight 2K). The springs got rid of the "squat" and improved the handling. I noticed it right away when needing to move quickly into lane traffic. Our mechanic recommended them over the inflatible air bags and they were around $300 installed. They don't come into play until you need them, since there's a little clearance with no load or trailer.
Truck Squat
