What are y’all doing to counter rear weight?

[Swamp Donkey]

Not looking for major suspension upgrades, mainly just rear shock or spring suggestions.
running Chinese aluminum topper, roof rack, two drawer system with twin refrigerator slides, 55 qt fridge and all the crap that goes with ground camping.
guessing about 600+ pounds…
TIA

Sponsored

 

[Lost1wing]

I have a similar setup, RSI cap, 63qt freezer on a slide, plus the other gear. The OEM fox shocks gave out after 4 years. That's when I noticed anyway. I installed Bilsteins 5100's and I want to say it rides better than the OEM did with the same load. It's hard to say.

I've had vehicles with airbags to help with the load. I think with the weight you are talking, airbags would work. I never really liked airbags as it's just another thing to fail.

600lbs is not something I would worry about. Expect to replace your shocks sooner that's all.

My Rubicon with all of my gear (food and water included) may be closer to 800lbs in the bed and another 100 for the winch. It sits pretty level without adding any shims.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I have a similar setup, RSI cap, 63qt freezer on a slide, plus the other gear. The OEM fox shocks gave out after 4 years. That's when I noticed anyway. I installed Bilsteins 5100's and I want to say it rides better than the OEM did with the same load. It's hard to say.

I've had vehicles with airbags to help with the load. I think with the weight you are talking, airbags would work. I never really liked airbags as it's just another thing to fail.

600lbs is not something I would worry about. Expect to replace your shocks sooner that's all.

My Rubicon with all of my gear (food and water included) may be closer to 800lbs in the bed and another 100 for the winch. It sits pretty level without adding any shims.

Looking at your numbers, I'm probably light in my estimate. Winch, cap, drawers, 12 v fridge, roof rack, stove, chairs, tent, Lipo battery box with 12 v to 12 v onboard charger plus all the other crap you take camping. I'm probably over 800 pounds.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Shocks will only help control spring movement.
Springs are what handles the weight.
You'll be hard pressed to find a spring upgrade that doesn't involve a lift.

Your best option is probably adding helper bags. These will help share the weight with the factory springs. They slip inside the springs, you air them up to "x" psi, and they share the load and keep your factory springs from compressing as far, but they can impact ride quality.

You can add rear pucks, but those only give you some additional rake so when you weigh it down you won't sag as far. They don't do anything for actually supporting the weight.

I would also look into upgrading sway bars to help control the added weight. Factory sways are small right from the start IMO.

Sponsored