Suspension Enhancement for a 2005 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Diesel and Different Trailer Types

Question:

Hello I have a 2005 chevy silverado 2500hd with the 6.6 duramax. My question is we have a 12000lbs case tractor I tow and occasionally a 20k lbs loadgooseneck.I also have as a bobcat loaded down bumper pull which kit would work the best?? And also if I planned on putting a suspension lift on my truck how would these affect that?

asked by: Curtis

Expert Reply:

To start, adding a suspension lift on your 2005 Chevy Silverado 2500HD is going to require either a custom suspension enhancement kit or spacers because using a regular suspension enhancement kit on a suspension lifted vehicle would mean the helper springs would not engage when they are supposed to. Adding a lift can also make the towing capacity unknown (most likely lowers it) so I would not recommend it.

Considering that you tow different loads the best option would be to go with air bags. With air bags you can inflate and deflate as needed to level the truck which is ideal for different load sizes. But you also have to consider the mounting brackets for your gooseneck trailer hitch. They could block where the suspension enhancement brackets need to go.

Firestone kit # F2250 would be a good choice since its bracket mounts only to the bottom of the frame and is not likely to interfere with any hitch brackets. I have included links to the installation instructions and a video showing an installation for you.

The capacity of the above system is 5,000 pounds. Given the weights you have listed of the trailers you will likely be well below that for the actual pin/tongue weight of the trailers.

If you wanted to go with jounce style springs instead of air bags then I recommend Timbren springs # TGMRCK25S. I have linked a video showing an installation of this kit as well. This kit has a capacity of 6,000 pounds and it also mounts only to the bottoms of the frame rails.

I do not recommend kit # TGMRTT35S that you referenced because it was designed for service vehicles (utility trucks, trucks converted to fire trucks or ambulances and other similar vehicles).