Better ride with a load?

The last time I took my Scouts out camping I found out just how much I take my 2500 Suburban for granted. I don't care what goes in it, it handles the load without complaint. The Taco, OTOH, does not handle it as well.

So...the truck is a commuter sometimes, Scout truck once a month, and truly leaves the pavement 2-4 times a year (Ocotillo and other SoCal stuff). What can I do for the ride?

BTW...do you know how hard it is to search a forum dedicated to suspensions for information on suspensions?

 

the rear leafs are weak. you can upgrade leafs, get an add a leaf, get helper springs, get better bump stops, or get air bags for the rear.

 

^^x2

 

I'd recommend a good set of rear shocks to go along with some airbags. AAL would be good if you always had a load. But when you unload you will have unwanted lift.

 

I would get wheelers 5 pack leafs or General spring HD leaf packs. Buy once, cry once. I am adding another leaf to my General spring standard packs tomorrow to make them a 5 leaf pack.

 

Before my add a leaf, the rear would frequently bottom out even with just a load of passengers. Installed Icon 3-leaf AAL, problem solved. Once it settled after a bit, only about 1" over stock height.

 

Oh yeah forgot to mention upgraded shocks.

I had 2 adults in back seat of my truck and luggage for 4 on trip to OBX a few years ago. Bottomed out on bumps the whole trip from CT it was awful. Got home and changed to 5100s and got Firestone air bags. The trip the next year was much better

 

Air bags are nice to adjust. I also hear good things about wheelers super bumps and timbren bumpstops. An add a leaf will make unloaded ride harsher than stock

 

Thanks for the replies so far. It sounds like air bags or bumpstops will be looked at closer.

I've seen 5100s all over the place. What do I gain with them?

 

They are a better shock than stock and reasonably priced.

 

What about 6112s? Buy once, cry once?

 

If you want to haul a heavy load, get yourself a Chevy Silver-ADO if you want to swallow heavy loads, well get yourself a Tacoma.

 

I've already got the Chevy, so I'm good. It just doesn't have a truck bed. And it's a 2500...

 

Lol. Well in all truth if you want any remotely good performance out of the stock pack you would first have to step up to a 4 pack TSB, then get a deavers 3 pack minipack AAL and attach it. I've hauled a bunch of stuff in my bed heavy and light, and definitely ran it through it's paces offroad with a load as well and the pack overall takes it in stride.

 

Mike, as suggested, upgrading the leaf pack will help a lot. I've only had personal experience with the Dakar leaf pack. It was 400 shipped to my door. You could get that, take the overload out and it will would be great. It would be strong, but not provide too much lift. The 5100 is a great affordable mono tube gas shock.