Leaf spring recommendations

("You will find that they will be noisy and very stiff when unloaded") Since you're telling us how they perform, is that personal experience?.

I can only speak from experience having run the general springs for over a year now, I'm still waiting for them to start squeaking. Ironically their anti squeak pads look pretty much identical to the OEM pads which kept the truck quiet for 150K mi. Can't speak to the performance of Deavers springs since I've never owned them. The general spring aren't overly harsh or stiff feeling of a ride with a typical 150~200# topper installed. Any suspension upgrade with more carrying capability includes an increase in spring stiffness, there's no way around it. I wouldn't expect the General Spring to have the ride quality as a 7 leaf Deaver springs which is to be expected since they're twice the cost. Is the General Spring bad, uncomfortable or noisy? Not in my experience.

I have a better ride then it was stock, the truck easily carries the topper full of camping gear and a 270# motorcycle hanging off the hitch rack without the headlights blinding other drivers and it does it quietly. The folks using these springs don't share the same complaints you're describing, most are just looking for a decent ride, some more carrying capability and relief from the crappy stock leafs. The General Spring does all that for about 1/2 what the Deavers cost, are they as good, no but I doubt the Deavers are 2x as good. Most of us quite satisfied and few of us are crying.

May not matter to you but few on here will get the $ back that was spent on spring upgrades when it comes time to sell the truck.