Ride-Rite vs extra leaf spring
#1
Ride-Rite vs extra leaf spring
Hi folks
I just sold my Sierra 1500 HD and bought a F-150 and I haul a horse trailer not very often but liked the heavy leafs in the rear of my sierra. Im thinking of installing an air ride like the ride-rite or just adding a leaf to the springs. Im not familiar with air lift bags at all so if anyone could offer some insight that would be great. I don't want the rear to squat and have the nose up in the air or the opposite when no load and have the rear higher than the front either so do I need to do anything to the front as well?
I just sold my Sierra 1500 HD and bought a F-150 and I haul a horse trailer not very often but liked the heavy leafs in the rear of my sierra. Im thinking of installing an air ride like the ride-rite or just adding a leaf to the springs. Im not familiar with air lift bags at all so if anyone could offer some insight that would be great. I don't want the rear to squat and have the nose up in the air or the opposite when no load and have the rear higher than the front either so do I need to do anything to the front as well?
#2
Senior Member
Add a leaf's are popular.
#3
Senior Member
Add a leaf is easiest and cheapest, but least amount of adjustability.
Air-bags w/on-board compressor is the most expensive and most complicated, but is fully adjustable for any load - often times at the push of a button.
So it really depends what you want to accomplish and how much impact to your wallet you're willing to pay for it.
Air-bags w/on-board compressor is the most expensive and most complicated, but is fully adjustable for any load - often times at the push of a button.
So it really depends what you want to accomplish and how much impact to your wallet you're willing to pay for it.
#4
Hi folks
I just sold my Sierra 1500 HD and bought a F-150 and I haul a horse trailer not very often but liked the heavy leafs in the rear of my sierra. Im thinking of installing an air ride like the ride-rite or just adding a leaf to the springs. Im not familiar with air lift bags at all so if anyone could offer some insight that would be great. I don't want the rear to squat and have the nose up in the air or the opposite when no load and have the rear higher than the front either so do I need to do anything to the front as well?
I just sold my Sierra 1500 HD and bought a F-150 and I haul a horse trailer not very often but liked the heavy leafs in the rear of my sierra. Im thinking of installing an air ride like the ride-rite or just adding a leaf to the springs. Im not familiar with air lift bags at all so if anyone could offer some insight that would be great. I don't want the rear to squat and have the nose up in the air or the opposite when no load and have the rear higher than the front either so do I need to do anything to the front as well?
#5
go with airbags.. It helps take some of the strain on you springs. Saving on broken leaves. I just put a set of bags in mine to help haul the quads around. about 12 lbs and still rides nice. if i need the extra i can just air up some more.
#7
I don't have airbags but have recently installed a set of superpsrings. I only tow 8-10 times a year so I wanted something to help during those times. For those times the springs work great. I didn't like the soft bounce feel with the trailer on with the factory setup. I have had airbags in the past and they have always performed as needed. However I found them to be a bit more hassle during the 90% other times of the year I don't need them. If money was no option I'd pimp out with the on board compressor and bags. Otherwise the supersprings are a good fit.
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#8
I have used add-a-leafs in the past and I will in the future. Adding an extra long leaf is the way to go because it does a better job of controlling spring wind up. If you want to keep the ride height down that you can replace the long leaf that you have with a thicker one. Any of these 2 changes can be done at a good spring shop for a lot less than buying some boutique spring and having it installed at a some garage. You may also be surprised at the level of expertise that a good spring shop will bring to the table.
#10
I have used add-a-leafs in the past and I will in the future. Adding an extra long leaf is the way to go because it does a better job of controlling spring wind up. If you want to keep the ride height down that you can replace the long leaf that you have with a thicker one. Any of these 2 changes can be done at a good spring shop for a lot less than buying some boutique spring and having it installed at a some garage. You may also be surprised at the level of expertise that a good spring shop will bring to the table.