Let's talk Leaf packs

Just heard back from Alcan. They can build a set of springs with 700lb over stock capacity rated for the axle weights of the truck. They said there was no reason for 3" width because they can build them to handle that weight at 60mm wide. So, it's off to the scales. When I give him the weight of the truck, should I add in some buffer? I was thinking 1000lbs to cover 4 adults, food, gas, water and gear. What else should I be asking them? Yes, I'm still considering upgrading to the triple bypasses in the rear...

Email estimate is $800. That's less than what I paid for the Deavers. I should have just gone with them from the beginning.

 

Its easy to build a set of leafs to carry the weight but making them perform off-road with the weight is a different story.

 

I’ve heard a few people w atlas leafs who perform and carry similar loads to us as well as are LT SUA ... no bad mouthing deaver just wondering maybe atlas has a different solution ... deaver may nail the leafs on stock no bed weight or minimal where atlas figured out the right way to do heavier loads

 

So why didn'd you go Atlas? . I think I have only heard of one and doesn't overland with it.

 

Because alex’s custom deavers that should work for me because I’m 3-400 lbs lighter and we’re 500$ that’s why

 

i have no doubt that the guys at alcan know what they are doing...

 

There is a reason for 3" wide packs. The reason is to keep the thickness down. I ran a set of Alcan +800 lbs leaf packs. They are thick, which reduces up travel. Granted, on a trail truck its not that big of a deal. But if you want some high speed performance, wider packs will give you more up travel and will handle the weight better without a highly progressive spring rate.

As for doing packs that are +1000lbs, I say do it if you know you will carry the weight. Just be aware that they will be a little bouncy if you are unloaded.

Thats bullsht. Brandons truck still sags just like mine did. I've seen recent pictures. Atlas doesn't do anything different. Leafs are leafs; the design hasn't changed in over 100 years.

Alcan makes good leaf packs. I ran a set of their packs for a couple years. however, their packs are definitely set up for trail running and not high speed performance. The spring rate is highly progressive in order to carry loads.

It just depends on your goals.

Here is The Truck with 2.25" wide leafs, custom made by Deaver to handle as much weight as Jeff thought was reasonable to build into the pack. He wouldn't give me specifics because they are trade secrets, but he basically told me I need to reduce weight:



Here is The Truck with 3" wide leafs. He ran my axle weight through his engineering process and said they were well within the range of "healthy" design:

 

i know i can't have both but i would like to be somewhere in the middle. i also don't want to be replacing leaf packs every year. i understand stuff wears out but that feels a little excessive to me. i should give deaver a call too and see what they say which probably makes sense since i've got their 748s on right now.

 

You have Deaver expo packs?? Why do you want to change?

I wouldn't say you have to replace packs every year. I would say that if you run weight that in the middle of the range of the packs, then you might have to have them rearched every few years. If you constantly overload them, you'll have to rearch them more frequently

 

because they are completely flat after 8 months of being on the truck with somewhere between 600-700lb constant load (top, drawers, rear bumper, full size spare). maybe they just need re-arched. i don't know. just trying to wrap my head around it.

 

The reason I give Jeff my business is because he has great customer service. Call him and tell him what your problems are and he will take care of you

 

If you can get both your loaded and daily weights they can make the pack specific to your load range. It’s kind of a pain in the ass, but then you know it’s right and no guesswork. Load the truck full of everything you bring on a trip including passengers and if you use coolers, load them to the top with ice. Just as if you’re at the start of a trip.

Hit the scale for your first weight and then unload in the parking lot. Strip it down to your daily weight and go weigh again. Give deaver both weights and they can make the pack just right.

 

That sounds like some sound advice!! Soooo Kevin???

 

haha! you guys want our loaded weight? I was pretty close in my estimation .

Last month we stopped at a scale on our road trip to Ohio - 7540 fully loaded for 10 days of overlanding, gased, watered and with passengers (wife [undisclosed], self [270lbs] and two dogs [130lbs]). I need to do the exercise I described above now that we've done some things since my last time doing it.

 

sweet so i should be even lighter than you... you have a heavier tent, and bed config

but not by much because I am 235-240 and my one dog who will be with me is already 80lbs at 5.5 months old LOL and yeah we wont discuss the ladies

 

yeah, I imagine you'll be a solid couple hundred less than us. and yes, we value our lives so the women will not be discussed.

although, you have a winch and sliders right? that may make up the difference. it'll be interesting to see the scale numbers. I was personally shocked - I thought I had done so much to save weight.

 

yes on sliders and winch, but running a synth winch line, but do have a custom front and rear bumper.. side note do you have stock hitch?

 

Yeah, we haven't found bumpers we like yet, so both are still stock, with the stock hitch, that drags on everyfuckingthing.

 

no way. you don't say?

 

yeah i think my rear bumper is lighter, because I incorporated the stock hitch into it. So probably lost weight with no pumper really just hitch weight. And the front bumper id bet is just a little heavier than stock. SHould be interesting to see the weight comparison

 

This hitch by Westin should be available soon. Class IV ~`$200

 

funny i took the stock Tow hitch plates that bolt from the frame, cut off the stock cross bar and built my own bumper/tow hitch off that.. stronger and higher and eliminated redundancy, bumper and tow hitch combined

 

Reload the photo! I want to see!

 

sorry its poop bucket... aka photobucket

here it is

 

@papasmurf very nice!

 

I'm drooling. That's what I'm looking for from a bumper. Gotta have the hitch 'cause the truck has work to do when not playing.

 

yep.
I got space shuttles and yachts to pull.