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03-21-2015, 11:49 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Wherever
Posts: 64
M.O.C. #11152
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GMC Rear Springs Wore Out
We've been dragging our 38 foot Monty around for the last 5+ years. We travel a lot - over 100,000 miles. Lots of bumpy roads.
The GMC's rear springs are wore out and its rear is starting to sag. In fact, the Monty's landing gear are now only 5 inches off the ground when towing. We can hardly exit a gas station without them scrapping. We sheared two pins this past year. The leaf springs now have a slight negative arc when hooked up.
I'm wondering if a lift kit is the best way to go, or... Anyone have experience with this?
Thanks - Steve
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03-21-2015, 12:11 PM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fowler
Posts: 414
M.O.C. #12748
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I installed a set of Timbren overloads and problem solved
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03-21-2015, 12:19 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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A lift kit? NO! Lift kits for the rear aren't springs, they are merely blocks that mount between the springs and axle housing. While that will lift the rear end, it won't do anything to help the root cause, your springs. You should either get new ones built by a spring shop or buy some used ones from a wrecking yard. Since you have a 3/4 ton truck, you might look for a set off of a 1 ton of the same year. They will fit and while they won't legally change your carrying capacity, they will physically change/enhance it. A spring shop will be able to do that too. Either one should make the springs last longer.
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03-21-2015, 12:27 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
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Unless you plan to kill the monte at the same time as the 2500...I think it's time to invest in a 3500 tv that will outlast the monte (smile on face). John
__________________
2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
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03-21-2015, 12:55 PM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Springfield
Posts: 322
M.O.C. #13660
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I have the Firestone bags installed on our 2004.5 and inflate to 45-50psi. This brings the truck back to original ride height and also makes for a much more comfortable ride while towing the 3400RL. Tim
[img] [/img]
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03-21-2015, 01:16 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
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I'm with Tom! If you are going to put new springs on your 3/4 ton and be keeping it as your TV, I'd invest in the two additional springs and that is what the difference between the 3/4 ton and the 1 ton is, at least in the way of the spring differences. The 3500 has a little heavier breaking system than the 3/4 ton but those two are basically the difference. I thought about putting the two extra springs under my old TV but since it had nearly 100K miles on it, I went with a new one. At least that's what I'm claiming and I'm sticking to that no matter what the DW says!
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03-21-2015, 02:12 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,550
M.O.C. #2283
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I agree with Tom. New 3500 springs and new shocks all around. Problem solved.
Lynwood
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03-21-2015, 02:41 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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Go to a good Spring Shop have those leaf spring replaced and ask to have the extra leaf added like the 1 ton.(3500)
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03-21-2015, 02:51 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aguanga
Posts: 606
M.O.C. #13601
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Before I bought my new Truck I had the same conversation with my Truck Camper dealer (4500lb + of payload). He said to call Deaver Springs http://www.deaverspring.com/ tell them what you are carrying and they'll come up with the perfect match. I sold the truck and upgraded prior to calling Deaver but I trust that dealer's opinion.
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03-21-2015, 03:22 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Bridgewater
Posts: 1,196
M.O.C. #13166
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Another vote for new springs, or boneyard leftovers. 1-Ton if you can find them for your truck.
__________________
2010 Montana 3455SA, Mor/Ryde pin, wet bolts, TST 507, Progressive HW50C, GY G614
2019 Silverado D/A 3500HD LTZ DRW CC
B&W Companion
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03-21-2015, 04:13 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Agree, invest in new springs
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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03-22-2015, 03:14 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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Just put air bags on it. You can adjust them so the truck is level.
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03-22-2015, 06:22 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,697
M.O.C. #12947
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If those springs have lost their arc due to metal fatigue, they may be getting close to breaking. If they carried the load of the 5th wheel originally, and now it's sagging, the springs need to be replaced. This is a real safety issue that needs more than a bandaid.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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03-22-2015, 07:43 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Edgewood
Posts: 184
M.O.C. #14397
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Yes and now it is time you get a bigger truck...
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03-28-2015, 01:37 PM
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#15
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Wherever
Posts: 64
M.O.C. #11152
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Thanks for all the great responses. The truck has over 175,000 miles on it, so I'm hesitant to spend the money to put new springs on it. A new truck would be great, but DW is getting tired of full-timing. I guess I'm just looking for a band-aid until we figure out what we're going to do. Love this forum!
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