Deaver leaf springs - stage 2

I’m looking for knowledge and opinions on the Deaver leaf springs, stage two. (9 leaf)
I have a 2015 DCLB 4wd SR5 and it’s is my daily driver so I want the best on Road ride, but I plan to get a travel trailer in the near future (just a small one), and plan to do some occasional offloading.

Thanks for your time and opinions!

 

With the 2.5 inch lift and 285's it a bit stiff empty in the back, It rides much better with a few hundred pounds.

 

Thanks for the input.
I’m putting on RCI skid plates but that weight distribution will be pretty much up front.
Sliders are also in the future but I’m not sure how much that would settle it down.
I don’t want to ruin the comfort on the daily or bounce my surfboards around in the back.
This poses the question if the stage 1 leaf pack would sag and effect handling under the load of a trailer. I don’t want to go on trips and have to deal with floaty steering.

 

When I had my taco I have stage 2s on it, had about 500 to 600 lbs over the axle , got 2 inches of lift out of them and they rode good but when I sold the truck I took everything off and it went up to 2.5 and 3 inches and rode a bit stiff but still was fine.

 

i've been eyeballing the deaver stage 2's. Sounds like with the wedge (350), full length drawer system + bed mat (200), house batt, etc the stage 2's would handle the weight and keep the daily driveability

 

Thanks for the input.
I’m putting on RCI skid plates but that weight distribution will be pretty much up front.
Sliders are also in the future but I’m not sure how much that would settle it down. I don’t want to ruin the comfort on the daily or bounce my surfboards around. I also don’t want to go on trips with a trailer having my handling / steering compromised.
This poses the question of how much float and sag would I hav if I went with the Deaver stage 1 leafs??

 

I have Deaver stage 2 but I also have a GFC camper that weighs about 300 lb. If you plan to put a shell or carry weight often in the back I think stage 2 would be good. It is a little bit stiffer without the camper on but not bad. That's subjective though. I wish I would have got stage 3 as sometimes I really load this thing down. Doing an AAL might be a good option as well.

 

OP when you say a "small travel trailer" you'd have to be more specific as the weights of small trailers can vary a lot. Some people consider a jetski trailer small, others on these here forums think a 6x12 trailer is small. Big difference in weight and that is what matters for your leaf spring choices.

I have Deaver stage 2 with a camper shell, custom drawers, and a whole bunch of gear. They were quite stiff and gave me 2.5" lift right after install. Took a few months and now they are mellow and darn near perfect for my build. Figure I have 5-600lbs extra when loaded up.

If your bed usually stays empty then stage 1 will give you the best ride for daily driving. Don't panic if they don't settle down right away, like I said it takes some time. If they sag too much whenever you get your future trailer you can always add airbags to compensate.

 

I put my stage 3 on at 125k. The stockers were flat as a 2x4. I got about 2.5ish. Currently have a shell, rear bumper and drawer system. Mine setup got much better once I put the bumper on. Prior it was a bit stiff. Also, have icon 2.5's. I did have it stock before the icon's. Super stick but still better than the stock bounce.

 

any of you guys w/ deaver's running a u bolt flip kit, and if so which one?

 

I had the timbrem one.

 

Can we get some hub to fender measurements from the guys with stage 2?

 

Archive flip kit with the yellow bump stops. Works great.

Initial measurement after install was 24.75" in the rear, they might have settled to 24.5" now but it could just be I have more weight loaded on. Measured with frickin' laser beams so this should be pretty accurate.

 

Wi_taco - Thanks for calling me out on the trailer size… “small” is relative and vague. The wife and I have not really talked about what we want from a trailer. Just the 2 of us or room for the kids to join us ‍♂️. I’m not actually sure what we will end getting.

My mind set was to do it once, be done and ready for the future plans. That’s kinda hard when I don’t know what I’ll be getting. I also know that if I get something that rides too stiff without a load she will not be happy riding in it.

Thanks for the input on your setup. I will probably end up doing as you advised and get the stage 1 and look into air bags when the time comes

 

Archive garage flip kit with the 4.6 shackle