First time towing with Bilsteins from PRG.....

ptgarcia · 07-04-2005, 09:19 AM

and I can say there is one hell of an improvement! I felt I had better control of the truck and trailer combo, with less bounce and an overall smoother ride. I was holding out for the Donahoe coilovers for the front, but now I am going to consider the Bilsteins also, whenever they come out. I guess its time to call Greg again...

Oh yeah, my travel trailer is 28' (along its side, 30' from bumper to coupler) long and weighs 8000-lbs+ ready to roll.

NorCal 4x4 · 07-04-2005, 09:33 AM

Great to hear. Did you also get the PRG/Deaver overload spring upgrade?

ptgarcia · 07-04-2005, 09:54 AM

No, the Deaver's are no good for a heavy load, they are too soft. Not exactly sure whats going to happen with the rear springs just yet, but I'll be sure to post once I do.

*JayDee* · 07-04-2005, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptgarcia

No, the Deaver's are no good for a heavy load, they are too soft. Not exactly sure whats going to happen with the rear springs just yet, but I'll be sure to post once I do.

Since the Deavers replace the factory overload, I wonder if we could find a way to put the factory, or a softer (Frontier?) into the pack as well...

PrerunnerGreg · 07-04-2005, 07:51 PM

Im working on using the factoory overload with hte deavers. The deavers WILL hold the rated amount, but the rear will sag just a hair more with max loads. I tow a 7000+ lb trailer with a tractor all the time, the rear just squats a bit more that it did withthe overlod in place, but the ride is much better the 99% of the time that im not towing.

*JayDee* · 07-04-2005, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrerunnerGreg

Im working on using the factoory overload with hte deavers. The deavers WILL hold the rated amount, but the rear will sag just a hair more with max loads. I tow a 7000+ lb trailer with a tractor all the time, the rear just squats a bit more that it did withthe overlod in place, but the ride is much better the 99% of the time that im not towing.

Actually, the more I think about it, just fabricating some mounts for a set of good airbags would be the "best" solution.

I've got a 2.5 gallon Viair tank, and a 550C compressor that I never used on my Jeep that would do VERY well as an on board air setup as well as probably inflate some airbags in a nanosecond!

Greg, I wonder if you and I could get together and sell a package of your Deaver springs, and I could fab up some bracketry to mount some "standard" Firestone airbags for the "double duty" trucks?

JD

*JayDee* · 07-05-2005, 07:59 AM

I'm going on vacation on Friday, but when I get back I'll start looking at fabing some prototype brackets up so we can all fit some good quality airbags. I'll have my water jet guy do all the parts and I'll jig weld them up. I have a 4x4 truck so I may have to find a 2wd truck, or possibly make the brackets adjustable enough to fit a 4x2 as well.

I'll go take a rear wheel off on my lunch break and see which factory frame holes I could use, but I'm pretty sure there will be a little bit of drilling involved.

JD

ptgarcia · 07-05-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrerunnerGreg

Im working on using the factoory overload with the deavers. The deavers WILL hold the rated amount, but the rear will sag just a hair more with max loads. I tow a 7000+ lb trailer with a tractor all the time, the rear just squats a bit more that it did without the overlod in place, but the ride is much better the 99% of the time that im not towing.

Great, thanks for correcting me Greg.

How about Deaver's complete spring pack. Will it handle a full load? Just curious, and thought others might like to know also. Thanks again!

PrerunnerGreg · 07-05-2005, 05:36 PM

I thing the full race pack will support just under 9 yards of concrete. They are very stiff and give over 4" of lift.

DaFridge · 07-05-2005, 10:11 PM

is it possible to get lift from a shackle extension like calmini did for the frontier and xterra? it would be cheap and keep the same tow rate?

what do you guys think?
if it's possible, maybe i can have mike at sin city iron fab up some out of some strong metal. maybe like an inch or inch and half lift?

PrerunnerGreg · 07-06-2005, 05:39 AM

we are actaully working on a upgraded/ longer shackle as we speak. The factory ones seem to be bit light in the weld dept. and serious off-roading can cause them to deform.