What would be the best way to increase the loading capacity of stock 1/2 ton rear springs without swapping in 3/4 or 1 ton springs?

The reason I ask is I was hauling a Jeep Cherokee last week and it squatted my truck. It wasn't all the way down. I will be hauling this Cherokee and trailer (roughly 5,000 pounds combined weight) quite often, probably 1-2 times a month.

I want to put something in the rear that will help the load capacity. I have a second set of 1/2 ton springs that I could use to add to the springs I have now.

 

You could add more leaves to your spring pack, that would stiffen the rear, so it would squat less when towing, or, you could put air bags in the back, and just blow 'em when you needed them.

 

What leafs would be the best to add and where?

 

Monroe heavy duty shocks Part #58610 will help. They literally have to be wedged in place, but in return it takes a lot of weight to get the rear to even drop 1".

 

You could also look into the Timbren Kits... basically it looks like a combination airbag/bump stop, but you don't need air lines.

http://www.truckspring.com/suspensio...spx?make=Dodge

 

I haul 4,500lbs regularly in the summer and mine doesn't squat at all. Are you sure the load is balanced on the trailer correctly?

 

Yes the load was balanced on the trailer.

 

After I installed my AAL as part of the Skyjacker 3" lift, it squats a lot less. Keep in mind though, the amount you can haul is dependent on more then just the springs. The frame, the brakes, the transmission all have to be considered.

I never haul more then about 1 ton in my bed. With the AAL, it only squats a little, but I don't want to put more then that much stress on the other components.

 

It has a newer rebuilt transmission that the fluid is changed every 30,000 miles, an aux transmission cooler, a transmission temp gauge to monitor transmission temps, and a brake controller for the trailer brakes.

The towing capacity of the truck in stock form is 6,500 pounds.

 

Towing 5000lbs should be fine, even with a bone stock truck. in my comment above, I was refering to dead weight in the bed, not towing weight. I've towed over 8000lbs with mine, and it didn't really squat that much at all. Do you know what the tongue weight is of your load/trailer?