Helper springs?

[Freakwater]

I drive a '94 Toyota truck. 22R. I have a canopy and the back has a carpet package, benches and storage and such. It's all carpet covered plywood and is pretty heavy. It's so heavy that the back of the truck sags a little. It came with the truck and I'd get rid of it if my dog didn't love it so much.

Now the boat. I've had a couple of boats in the past couple of years and the selection of boat has always been dependent on if the truck would pull it. Then a bigger boat at the right price came along. It's a 18.5' Gregor and it's a little more than my truck wants to pull, but it's doable. Coming back from Astoria, over the Clatskanie hill, it's all I could do to maintain 45 mph in third without the valves going crazy. I can barely afford the new boat and a new rig to pull it is out of the question.

When the boat is on the hitch, it's a lowwwwww rider. I don't know much about suspensions and I'm on a limited budget, but I want to beef up the back end so the ride is better when I trailer. I know this won't solve my hill climbing problem, but it solves half my issues.

Where do I go? I know Les Schwab does work like that, but I think you pay a premium for stuff there. Nothing against those clean cut kids that rush out to help you......

Any suggestions on what and where would be appreciated.

Thanks,
jpat

[drhall99]

jpat,

I would go to Benz Springs on Macadam Ave. We took a sagging motorhome there and they added a leaf to one side and two to the other and now it rides great - Cost:$200.
And just recently I replaced the leaf springs on my boat trailer and the parts came to less than $50.00 but I did the work myself. They have been great both times and I highly recommend them.

D.

[cannonball]

You might look at a pair of air bags. I put a set on my old mazda and they workeg great.You can get them at les's or schucks and put them on yourself. A bike pump is all you neet to inflate them away from a compressor. the best thing about bags is that you dont have the stiff ride when there is no load on.

[lingslayer]

Find a Hellwig dealer. Many Auto parts stores and 4X4 places carry them or can get them. They have kits that will only engage after the suspension drops a preset amount, and/or can be adjusted. They also offer sway control products.
Aside from that, the Benz spring option mentioned earlier is a good route also. But adding a leaf to the bundle is a semi permanent way to go and will affect the ride without a load.
Good luck,
Jamie

[1pump]

Air shocks would probably be the least expensive and easiest to install. I put a set on an older Toyota longbed and they worked great.

[fishuntr2]

I had a 94 Toy and it too sagged in the rear. They all did. I had Benz springs build me a new set thinking it was weak japanese metal but the truck still set low. Then I added a "helper" spring and that helped some. Actually new springs with a couple of inches of "over arch" and a helper spring should work. however that ain't cheap. If you are just trying to get the back to ride higher an add-a-leaf helper spring plus a small 1 or 2 " block would work and be fairly inexpensive. Les Swaab does 3' toy lifts for 700$

[Freakwater]

Thanks for the input people!
I think I'm going to check into airshocks first. Sounds like the most affordable and adjustable.

[Silver Hilton]

I put air bags on my Explorer when I got the sled. Cost about 400 bucks, works really well. I had the work done at a trailer hitch place.

[Tilla]

I put a Helwig spring assist kit in on my half ton. I thing it was about $150.00, took one wrench and a couple hours. I can adjust them to my needs. Very little sag when carrying an ATV, towing a 21" sled etc.

[blubeast]

I second the vote for Air Shocks. Put some on my two rig to handle my big boat... work great... just be careful to run the air hoses FAR away from the exhaust pipes...they melt.