Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days!

[jyoutz]

I’d like to have a pickup with 100 percent air ride like class 8 trucks. There’s no need for springs and air. That’s just more complexity that isn’t needed. The reason I’d like air ride is to air up and down under the trailer hitch. Yes I realize they make hydraulic jacks but it isn’t practical to get every trailer with that.

Air shocks and air bags

 

[Jstpssng]

So what are you doing to destroy leaf springs?? Been through a lot of vehicles in my time...both pickups I currently own are over 20 years old. I have NEVER had to replace leaf springs and don't know of anyone else who had to replace theirs. My 2004 dually lives with a 3000+ lb camper in the bed and has for many years and the springs are still going fine. No sagging.

Hauling snow sleds, ATVs and firewood. A lot of rough roads.
I had 2 Rangers and replaced springs on each one to get the rear end back up in the air where it belongs; my 2004 had a complete set. Both times the springs were fatigued when I bought them.
Springs on my '81 F100 were fatigued when I got it; I added a leaf to each one to get it back up in the air.
Springs on my '84 F150- the last truck that I bought new- wore out from use. I replaced the entire set.
For several years, GM had a batch of bad leaf springs. Every 1/2 ton truck in the company had the center springs replaced at least once.

It's not the weight that breaks them, it's the sudden release.

 

[paulsharvey]

The Lincoln navigators had air ride, but also had a very expensive system (atleast through the OEM), because when they failed, people often just didnt replace/repair.

Its not really a complex system, or atleast doesnt Have to be. It can be as simple as a belt driven compressor, clutch, 30 ft of hose, and air bags; or it can be as complex as matching air pressure to terrian and speed...

I have considered adding them to my Ram, but just manual bags, and did some breif searching for larger, stronger brake systems that are direct replacements.

 

[WinterDeere]

Don't hear of leaf springs failing!

Others beat me to it, but I've also broken leaf springs, and I'm only a weekend warrior.

Ironically, for all the shade thrown on coil springs, I've never broken one of those.

I will say that my 1/2 ton Dodge (coils) sags more under hitch weight than prior pickups, without resorting to air bags or weight-distributing hitches, tho. That's more about the chosen gauge and length of the coils than the fact that they are coils, though.

I think truck makers are trying to make the ride too comfortable, at the expense of stability and towing capability. Real shame, as a 1/2 ton "truck" should still be a truck, the listed capacities are ideal for most pulling personal trailers, etc.

 

[RB5]

A couple of my friends had broken springs on their old chevy 1/2 tons from the 70s. Even with all the riding off the pavement I did in mine I never broke one. I used to load the 8' bed up above the top of the bed with green oak and drive 15 minutes to the house to unload it in my heavy half. I never had a leaf spring issue.

 

[RB5]

I was talking Ram HD Cummins, not 1/2 tons.
A 1/2 ton in MY operation would be useless as teets on a bull.

Got it. For me I could even tow my 4000 pound tractor with my 1/2 ton. If I'm only going to do that once or twice a year at most I don't need the added cost of a heavier duty truck. I have a friend with a Ram and a Cummins in it. Those things are beasts. A tradesman in 3/4 or in a 1 ton might be a better deal than the 1500 vs others. I considered a 3/4 ton when I bought my current ruck, but I could not justify the extra expense that I would rarely if ever need.

 

[Hay Dude]

Got it. For me I could even tow my 4000 pound tractor with my 1/2 ton. If I'm only going to do that once or twice a year at most I don't need the added cost of a heavier duty truck. I have a friend with a Ram and a Cummins in it. Those things are beasts. A tradesman in 3/4 or in a 1 ton might be a better deal than the 1500 vs others. I considered a 3/4 ton when I bought my current ruck, but I could not justify the extra expense that I would rarely if ever need.

It’s really hard to explain to people the feeling of Cummins Power in a pickup when you drive it. It’s a smooth as silk torque monster. It feels like it’s always in its’ power band. You hook up a trailer and it wants to pull as much weight as you can throw at it.
I have had numerous powerstrokes, a 2007 Duramax and this 20 Cummins and the Cummins just has a completely different “vibe” to it. It begs to be worked hard. It gives you everything you need in a small 1000-2500RPM powerband. It needs no revving.
If you want red light to red light speed, it’s not your truck/engine.
If you want a truck with an engine that feels like it was designed & powered by a heavy duty diesel manufacturer, it’s like truck paradise.
6 cylinder diesel power has a completely different feel than V-8 diesel, or gas power.