Dobinsons leaf springs anything negative?

The only negative issue I have found is that the heavy duty pack is stiff especially at first.
I tried Icon’s add a leaf package and have lost everything I’ve gained in just a week. I had a 3 inch rear lift for a day or two.... One day of carrying 1,000 lbs of bagged concrete and another day of lumber and they have relaxed/ flattened out. I should have read up on them more, I was all focused on the shocks and assumed their springs were as good. Nope. I don’t like the idea of now adding airbags to compensate for what I lost. So, I’m leaning more towards a heavier spring pack for those some what heavy days (1,000 lb days) and then add airbags for the really heavy days. Really heavy days meaning loaded to the hilt and towing a travel trailer. In my mind, 1,000 lbs is a half ton and these are half ton+ trucks, throwing a 1,000 lbs in the back once a week or so shouldn’t permanently flatten a set of springs. The Icon add a leaf pack I had installed, removed 2 oem leafs and put in 3 Icon leafs, the installer was really impressed with them initially. On a good note, the truck rides awesome.
So what I’m looking for is input on long term use of Dobinsons springs, anyone dissatisfied? I’m leaning towards Dobinsons because they are closer to me. If the general consensus is Deavers are better or OME’s are better please pipe in. I’m not saying money is not an issue because of course it is but, I would rather pay for quality once.

 

I just installed the road master active suspension heavy duty on my 2020. I got about 2inches of lift out of it. Hauled close
To 2,000lbs the other day with just 1 inch of squat. Best $500 I’ve spent on the truck

sorry that’s not an answer to dobinsons but it’s an alternative to new leaf packs or AALs

 

Thanks Shawn, I appreciate all input! The Road Master system is a add on type set up isn’t it? I think I looked at it a couple months ago and wasn’t sure how it would hold up to off-road use. Do you have any pictures of it on your truck?

 

Does anyone have pictures of their Dobinsons HD leaf pack? I read its 5+2, so its 7 leafs, why don’t they just say 7 leaf pack?? Or is it a 5 pack and you squeeze it in between two on the truck? I will go to YouTube and see if anyone posted a video on it. Also, does anyone have the promo code for Dobinsons?

 

@crikeymike

 

Overload leafs being listed at +2. They dont typically factor into the spring rate or are unused until the vehicle is either loaded enough or compressed enough. So technically not a constant use spring.

 

I've heard the dobinson's leaf springs are super good. Thinking of going that route, but they're on the other side of the country for me, and the shipping would kill me.

 

$200 flat rate, at least per Exit Offroad when I checked a week ago. Does make them pretty spendy, with everything needed in the end the price balloons to ~$830.

 

I just did a Dobinson's lift, I did HD in the front and regular leaf. Got it from Exit Offroad, I was going to do the HD rear but was told if its not a constant load in the rear the ride would be a stiff. I only have a RTT on so decided to listen to Mike, Glad I did truck rides great.
@Skey44 has the HD springs maybe he can chime in

 

Just ordered the stock to medium load leaf springs. Should improve upon the flat OEM leaf springs, especially when I have my Thule xsporter bars, RTT, bike rack, and bike on the back. No amount of CB shackles can remedy that haha.

 

Flat springs do not mean worn out springs. Tundra springs are relatively flat when new. If you want bowed springs to make you feel better you should look into long travel under axle springs like Camburg. Not sure why people always think because their springs appear flat they are worn out.

 

Fully aware that the flat OEM springs come that way, but based off my lift, I need more rear lift to compensate for the amount of bed weight I have.

 

If you haven't already ordered I would check with Josh at 1stgenoffroad.com. He has most of his items listed as free shipping and is located in Texas. If you don't see what you want on his site just contact him. He may have it

 

Great tip. Thanks!

 

I went ahead and ordered yesterday from Dobinsons direct, the heavy duty pack, bushings, U-bolts, grease-able pins, etc with shipping came to $1,030. I will do an update once I have them and installed and let you know what I think.

 

How do the leafs ride unloaded?

 

I always have my rtt on, but it feel great. Havent done any off roading yet with this setup but around town it feels good

 

How much lift did you get out of your regular dobinson's leaf springs with no weight in the back?

 

how long do you think oem leaf springs could last with little to no bed weight?

 

200K miles.

 

Finally installed my Dobinsons leaf springs! It took me and my teenage son about 4 hours to install them. We took her for a test drive afterwards and I have speed bumps in my neighborhood so a pretty instant test. We thought it was just slightly stiffer. My Icon shocks are the 2.5 clicker adjustable ones so I had dialed them down to the softest setting in anticipation. I need to get some measurements, I know it sits higher, which I wanted so that when I carry a heavier load it rides level or close to it. I already have a constant load of 5-600 lbs with tools and built in storage.

 

Anymore reports back on this leaf pack?

 

I'm interested as well in how they do with a big load.

 

I have had them about 9 months now. I love them even more! Handles all loads well, I am very pleased. As I mentioned previously, I have a constant load of around 5-600 lbs, I have added 1,500 lbs of tile on top of that, she squatted just a little. I have about a 2 inch rake with my constant load, with the extra 1,500 lbs she probably squatted 3 inches. I was very pleased.

 

3 inches squat relative to your normal 5-600 lb load? You have the additional leaf?

This is good info. I'm planning to add around 1500 lbs to my rear axle full time. I don't want more than 1 inch of lift vs stock. I'm actually considering the Ironman Pro kit which comes with leafs (only way to get the discount). I know it isn't ideal to simply overload the springs to get the lift I want, since the springs will eventually flatten from bottoming and likely fail... maybe? I know of several people hauling campers with OME/Dobinson springs though, and they seem happy with them.

 

do you have photos? Loaded unloaded etc a lot to ask o know but looking into the medium duty ones as I don’t carry constant load but I do have loads and when pulling the enclosed or camper the squat causes the front to come up a bit don’t want to loose too much steering and that’s with a stabilizer I know airbags blah and 3/4 ton but I’m not ALwaYS pulling heavy is why I can’t justify it … yet

 

Hi just wondering about how youre liking the springs? Considering a dobinsons full kit and torn between the medium and heavy duty rears. Right now i have a topper guessing 175-200 lbs constant but considering adding a drawer system. Whatever iget had to still perform well offroad though

 

Isn't it just an additional leaf? If so you could add it later if you wanted. I've seen guys with pretty heavy campers that didn't squat with that setup.

 

You cant go wrong with an all dobinsons suspension. Heres my Tacoma review: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dobinsons-review.652256/

 

Go with the standard leaf pack. Heavy duty would be overkill. I have the standard and it's great, though it was quite stiff for awhile until I had alot of weight in the bed and pulled my trailer fully loaded a few times. It takes about 4-500lbs before it starts to lower the rear end.