Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/93727
BUYER'SGUIDE ON THELEVEL An air suspension or a set of helper springs can make hauling heavy cargo easier, but it won't allow your truck to carry more. By Peter D. DuPre (Photos courtesy of the manufacturers) heavy loads of gravel, lumber, pipe, fuel drums, welding equip- ment, equipment parts, and other items from time to time. Or, they may have a service M body that, when loaded down, pushes the truck's max cargo capacity limits. When those situations arise, many construction workers and contractors are surprised that their 1-ton just doesn't seem up to the job; it sits low in the rear, wallows in turns, and feels light on the steering. No worries. I'll just put on a set of helper springs to increase my 18 PROPICKUP June 2012 ost HD pickup opera- tors occasionally have to use the bed to carry truck's hauling capability and everything will be fi ne, is what comes to most pickup owners' minds. Such was the situation in which my neighbor, Bill Turo, found himself. Turo runs a landscaping business in western Washington, operating a small three-truck fl eet. Usually, extra-heavy loads aren't much of a problem for him, as he mainly carries mulch and landscape bark in the cargo box, towing a trailer to carry the usual tools and equipment of his trade. Recently, however, he has bid on a couple of jobs that require hauling gravel – not so much that a dump truck delivery is needed, but just enough so that his three trucks are often fully laden. "These gravel loads are killing me," remarks Turo. "My trucks sag at the rear, the tires rub on the inner fenders and don't The Hellwig helper leaf attaches to the top of the leaf spring and is held in place with a center bolt and shackles at either end. As the spring defl ects the helper leaf, takes on the added load. seem to be able to handle the extra weight. I am thinking of modifying my trucks to increase the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), so I can carry more weight and stopped by to ask your opinion."