Hello,
I have a 04 screw with a 6 inch Fabtech. When I tow my boat, it sags a good 4-5 inches.
I was told about helper springs. Has anyone ran these? They told me they do not effect the ride, only when there is weight in the back. They com in 2k lb rating and 3k lb rating. They also said they help with swaying.
I know airbags are the other way, but I was quoted over 1k for a complete system installed.

Thanks!

 

I have two add-a-leafs on each side of my truck and they help a lot. They are relatively cheap. I know Procomp and Skyjacker make them along with a lot of other companies.

 

Thank you for the response.
Do they affect normal driving conditions? (not towing)

 

I imagine that Add a leafs would stiffen up the rear suspension some. As you are "beefing" up the leaf spring.

What you might want to try is a Weight Distribution Hitch for the trailer. This is a type of hitch that keeps the trailer tongue level and doesn't allow the up and down "hinge" type action at the ball. So it forces the weight of the load to be spread to both the front and rear of your truck.

So your 4-5” of sag in the rear would most likely change to 2” or less both at the front and rear, which would improve your steering control.

It may help the swaying too, but that is really a separate problem caused by the trailer trying to push the truck and the truck not letting it. You can get a sway control attachment, which is basicly a shock that hooks from your trailer to the hitch.

You can get most of these though camper or boat dealers. Also there are lot’s of places online that sell them.

 

Thanks Dan. I will look into that

 

???

I don't think I've ever seen an equalizing hitch with spring bars on a boat trailer. In particular, if his trailer has surge brakes, as many larger boat trailers do, this pretty much eliminates the possibility of an equalizing hitch or sway control right there.

However, I think some on some boat trailers the fore-and-aft location of the axle(s) can be adjusted to adjust the tongue weight. I don't have any real experience with boat trailers, though, so I am not sure about this.

 

SM,
The weight of boat and trailer is 5,500. It is a tandem trailer with disc brakes.
It tows fine the way it is, its just when I go camping and load the bed up with the boat, it feels like it is sagging to much and sways a little more.
I'm leaning towards the add a leaf.

 

Start with the add a leaf. If that doesn't help enough for you, then put on the helper springs also.

 

The solution isn't to beef up the suspension, it's to reduce the load on the suspension. That can be done one of two ways: Weight distributing hitch, or moving the boat back on the trailer a bit. Assuming the boat isn't tongue-heavy (i.e. more than 500 lbs on the hitch) it could very well be that you're simply exceeding the cargo capacity of the truck. A bed full of gear adds up quickly.

-Joe

 

Thanks guys,
This is what I'm going to try. When I get them on, I will post on how they worked out.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/produ...ame=Suspension

 

I tow a boat thats about 5500 lbs fully loaded, full of gas etc. Although it did tow ok it sagged a few inches. I added a set of Super Springs and they work great. No more sag and it handles much better now.