Advice needed.

[Big White Dmax]

I had to get the rear end of my truck lowered to be able to tow my 06 Montana. My Montana is a high unit now, springs are already on top of the axles and it is almost 13' tall so raising it was not an option. My 08 Chev dually was about 2" higher than my 05 F350 at the top of the tailgate and if you read all the brochures, the new Chevs have the tallest dually on the market right now.........on the ass end. The front end is lower than the Fords and Dodges and even after getting a good suspension shop to install new rear shackles and dropping the rear end 2" down, my truck is still higher in the rear end but IMO, much more balanced looking than before.
I love tall trucks and if I had a tow behind unit I would have just raised the front end of my truck, that's for sure.

I hooked up my fifth wheel yesterday and now I have a nice level looking combination truck and fiver and I have the 6" space I need between the bedrail and the fifth wheel.
My hitch and pin box are already at the highest settings
so lowering the truck in the rear was the best solution but
there was one negative effect. The rear overload springs are now touching the frame bracket all the time and this has made a slightly harsher ride, not as harsh as my Ford was but not as smooth as before. The owner of the suspension shop says he was worried if he raised the overload bracket ( not much room to do this ) we might get that slapping as the spring hits the bracket every time you hit a bump. The set up now really works well with the pin weight of the fiver and I was so impressed how well this truck handles my fiver. It even seems so much easier to back the unit up, the mirrors are top notch but I will save this for another thread. Right now I want to keep the springs the way they are for the fifth wheel but would like to get some opinions on how to improve the empty ride of my dually. Bilstein Shocks ? Air Bags ?
I do like how the truck and fiver ride right now but wish I could get back my OEM solo ride. Thanks for reading.

[Johnasara]

I do not know if I would go with bags because IMO they make the truck ride rougher empty. I do not know if putting a helper spring in will fix it because of the ride height you want. I would look into possibly trying the helper spring and maybe moving the overload bumpers. but that is just my opinion.

[Nor-Cal Nick]

Big White Dmax,

Remember when I was telling you about those Sulastic shackles. I know these trucks very well and know what a guy that just spent 50+K wants out of a ride. Why because I just did the same.

Look at what I did to my truck for the rear, Bilstein's, Sulastic's and helper bags. Truck ride GREAT !!

Cognito/ LMM Dually (pic's & spec's)

Bilstein's - Control the ride way better than OEM shocks.
Sulastic's - Reduce the harsh ride when you are de-loaded.
Helper Bag's- Maintain the ride hight and hold the pin weight of the trailer.

Watch this video of the shackles:

YouTube - How Sulastic works

I say take the over loads out and run these parts and you will be set. The bags will cancel the over loads out.

Hope this helps...

[Nor-Cal Nick]

Also if you want to read more about the Sulastic shackles try the thread on DP.

Sulastic Rubber Springs?

[Tow Master]

Ya if you want to keep it the same Id just get a set of air bags to help when the truck is loaded.

[psyco66]

I have a set of bags on my truck and it does not change my ride when empty at all.

[TheHoov]

I was just gonna say talk to NorCal Nick. I guess you have already seen what he has done to his amazing truck.