Knowing Your Suspension Limits to Avoid Overloading

If you are using your vehicle to haul heavy loads, there is one thing you need to remember: not all suspension equipment is created with a commitment to quality. Standard spring capacities can range from 1,500 – 3,300 lbs., and heavy-duty springs can typically handle even higher capacities. It is extremely important to know the capacity of your vehicle suspension system in order to avoid problems.

What Could Go Wrong by Overloading a Suspension System?

The main components of a suspension system are the springs, leaf springs, or coil springs. Both types of springs are made from strong steel that will resist the forces applied by the load on the vehicle and uneven road conditions to help produce a smooth ride. This is accomplished by the springs allowing the wheels and axles to move under the strain of driving so that the mechanical shock of going over a bump or encountering rough terrain is not transferred to the vehicle.

When these steel springs are pushed past their limit by an overly heavy load, many different problems can occur. The steel can stretch and distort so that it no longer has the ability to flex as well as it should, and cracks and fissures can occur in the spring steel limiting its capacity. Ultimately, a crack can cause the spring to break so that it will no longer function and the axle will bottom out on every bump.

What Can You Do if You Need to Increase the Load Capacity of Your Vehicle?

One of the most obvious answers is to install new standard springs with a higher load capacity. It is even possible to switch to heavy-duty springs that have an even higher load capacity than standard stock springs can accommodate. By increasing the load capacity of your springs, you not only prevent problems with your springs, but also with the attachment hardware that can also wear and break.

Another option is to consider SuperSprings or Timren Suspension Enhancement Systems. Both of these products are available to attach along with your current suspension products to assist in increasing the overall load capacity that your suspension system can accommodate.

Turn to General Spring to Increase Your Load Capacity

The team at General Spring knows how suspension systems work. We are more than happy to help you find the right suspension product to suit your needs. General Spring has been the authority leader online form. We look forward to handling all of your suspension equipment needs.