Add a leaf???

Anyone done an Add A Leaf for a little extra oomph on the ass end?

I'm considering it. Put a little weight on my trailer (tractor is 3500 and ATV is 600) today and looks like I could use just a little extra bed capacity / tongue weight help. My tire carrier is hanging out there and my bed was empty.

Front end was about 2" higher than the rear. Truck sits level with nothing on the trailer. Darn thing pulls great with absolutely no sway.

The truck didn't squat too much but I need to be able to load the bed down on top of loading the trailer down. My topper rack will carry another 250 pounds and I plan on using it as well.

I called two different shops to get their take. One said absolutely the add a leaf for $300 installed would do the trick and that they could add it even though Ive already got 6" of lift.

4WP wanted to sell me $2000.00 airbags, said add a leaf would not work (LOL) and that it was my only option. Those guys never have a simple or inexpensive solution for anything.

I called another shop to see if I could break the tie and they too said that the add a leaf would be fine.


Any input would be much appreciated.

 

AAL would help but a sway bar and airbags would be better

 

I added the icon helper pac that replaced the middle 2 leaf springs with 3. It brought the rear back up about 2" (I carry a lot of permanent weight) I now have a little rake which I prefer.

 

Thanks for the info. Yea I've got about a 70# tote full of recovery gear and misc that I keep in back too. I will take a look at the icon set up. You don't have a link to that do you?


FOUND It !

 

Check out alcan spring to. They custom build them for you for lift, capacity and ride. I'll be getting a set for mine someday. For now firestone airbags work pretty good for $300.00.

 

I'm running with a permanent minimum payload of over 1K;
Me; 210, Decked Drawers: 210, Snugtop: 200, Transfer 46g tank: 100, Sliders:100, winch and mount: 140, wife: not saying, miscellaneous tools: 100.
I figure the suspension was always about 50% compressed before adding the Icons . I absolutely love the Pro ride. Smoothest I've ever experienced and I've had a lot of trucks. Most all of them would only run smooth with some serious weight. I suspect an add-a-leaf would help you. Possibly the Deavers are the best choice, but pricey. I'm towing a 5k trailer occasionally and get the squat mostly fixed w/WDH.

 

Thanks dude! I will check it out.

Im a bit hesitant on the airbags. Im moving up to Alaska next month FOR GOOD and steel dose better than bags, compressors, and air line up there.

 

YIKES! all of that weight must be pretty bad and the leafs work that great if you can't tell us the wife weight

 

nothing I feel I want to do without.

 

You must be a pretty sweet dude, mention permanent weight and your wife all at the same time and then say that you can't do with out it. NICE.

 

Married to my blushing bride now 40years

 

I just made it last month past 20. Mine is just now starting to like me, I think.

 

I highly recommend adjusting that weight distribution hitch correctly. Run that trailer hitch jack down until your loaded truck is level or stightly above level. I would note the number of links hanging down the way you have it adjusted there and then add a link or (2) more hanging down below where the chain attaches to the WDH. Let the jack down and see how it sets. Adjust until your level with the weight your pulling on the trailer. If your using the appropriate hitch, you can actually jack the back of the truck higher than when it's sitting unloaded. I don't recommend this since your back tires can lose traction when you go through a dip or off camber situations rounding a turn. Once I know the appropriate number of links hanging down to achieve a level ride height with that load I will write the number of links somewhere I can easily see. Note, if you change the weight on the trailer the hitch will need readjusted. If I can adjust my weight distribution hitch on my Tundra Pro to a level stance pulling 9000# you can easily adjust yours.

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx

 

I went with Deavers. Between topper, Decked drawers, rear bumper w/ spare 35 and misc stuff, I figure there will be 600-700lbs in the bed. Serena over at SDHQ set me up with the Deaver U748s which have a 600lb rating. I haven't gotten the time to put them on yet. Maybe today depending on honey-dos.

We hit 20 last month too. Congrats!

 

Agreed but Im also looking at it for a no trailer situation


Ass of my truck is saggy with the finest bit of a load


I left the WDH on the trailer adjusted right at where the truck would have been without the trailer.

I built a custom shank for that WDH head so it would be low enoug so that the trailer would be level


I leveled the trailer with the truck, not the other way around like it should be to show how much drop there is in the ass end of the truck

 

I hate 4WP. For that price those bags better be made of gold. I would rather replace the entire leaf pack with air bags and save money lol.

I have an AAL from toytec and tow/haul quite a bit. It's not an ideal permanent solution as it will flatten and "W" your springs over time. If you're just concerned with the squatting I would look into bigger shackles (toytec, CBs). I plan on going with Deavers or Dakars in the near future

 

Think that I will start with with the Firestone bags and just air them up as needed and see how that works.


Just placed the order and should have them sometime next week.

 

Now looking at their air compressor set up so that I can just flip the switch and air it up. I must be getting old.

 

E bay has everything you need in a kit including Firestone airbags, pump, air tubing and all the hardware needed

 

Well, we're all GETTING old, and at exactly the same speed. Maybe what has happened is you got old! Me too!

 

Ok, got everything on the way. Air springs, 6" spacers, and the compressor. Will have to see where would be best to mount the compressor under the hood or under the truck.

 

Also have more money now that I am older as compared to when I was younger. I know that I have more insurance and its cheaper because Im getting older

Im also looking at how I can take their gauge and switch out of their mount and looking at how / where to do a custom install in the truck some place.

 

Check out @cmlenny

 

is he a member??? Cant find

 

Sorry, it is @CM-LENNY
His build has a very nice custom compressor and air set-up

 

I just checked his out, thats killer. May do something similar. Thats a good location to stand out side and have a look at the ass end of the truck as your adjusting it.

 

I used Add a leaf and I love iT!!!!! 2" in the rear helped out a lot!!! The results for the Price are for sure worth It...