MikeKey wrote:It would really help with all the confusion if there was some better understanding of performance associated with the springs in published data on both of the two big brands sites. Like I said earlier, it'd be great to get together and do some side by sides tests.
Carli states this "50% more suspension travel than the factory platform" and Thuren says "coils provide about 40% more down travel than stock" (taken directly from both sites.
Thuren stated via an email that for a PW his coils are 20% softer than existing ride.
Let's say we're getting 10 inches of downward travel now stock. So 50% more than factory is 15 inches of downward travel. Thuren's site states they will sag like a 1500, but that's when compared to a stock 2500, not the PW. Our trucks already are soft, so is it 20% more sag?
I just kind of want some of the finer points cleared up for me, so I can understand, cause I'm stupid.
Towing aside, what I don't want to do is mess up an already great suspension.
FWIW. here is my opinion: One area (towing) makes the other area (nice ride & off-road flex) suffer. It's just the way it is. Yes, there IS a happy medium, but it may cost you thousands of dollars to find it. The simplest things to do is: 1) Keep the stock rear coils (because they are stiffer than Carli's or Thuren's) and have 2 sets of rear shocks, 1 pr for towing & 1 pr for go fast. The towing rear shocks could even be the HD overload shocks with the coil springs on them. 2) Get some air bags. Filled when you need them, empty when you don't. Or some Timbren's.
Their coils are softer than stock, that's why they claim a more compliant ride. Pickup trucks, by their very nature are a compromise between ride quality empty & towing/hauling capacity when loaded. I kept my stock rear springs & put a set of Hellwig Load Pro 35's on for towing. The set up works great. In 10-15 minutes or less, I can remove the outer most nuts on each side & I have full flex returned. Helper springs stay in place with the center most bolts. Also, because we tow with ours, I have not lifted it. I have seen in person, a 4Dr, CC, 8' box F-350 SRW, that was lifted high, running 38's, pulling a custom made, custom suspended 5th wheel trailer, with matching tires. It was awesome. It was around 15 yrs ago at Watkins Glen Int. Raceway. He was a lottery winner & had over a $1/4 million into it. So, anything
can be done if you have enough money. I think if you wait a few years, you will have more options from the aftermarket.