Dobinsons C59-823V coil springs installed on Trailhunter with 800lbs constant weight, 2.5" positive rake

[eatsomeonion]

My goal was to lift the rear and level the truck after adding a bunch of weight, maybe with a tiny bit of rake. Stock springs were sagging pretty bad.
After talking with Dobinsons, they recommended C59-823V. Here is what they told me:

Hybrid models will yield 1" less lift
C59-823V (55mm - 2.25") 880-1210lb Load / (30mm - 1.25") 1400-1600lb Load

Which means I should get ~1.25" of lift, pretty close to stock Trailhunter rear height.

However after installing the springs and taking some measurements, I ended up with +2.5" rake. All heights measured from center of hub to fender:
Front: 23"
Rear: 25.5"

This is with 800lbs of constant weight. When we add our usual trip gear (2 eMTBs at 50lbs each + riding and camping gear), I doubt the rear will sag enough to level out.

I hope the springs will settle a bit after some driving but I doubt it. I might throw on a Peak Suspension or Westcott Designs spacer lift up front. Wasn't planning on lifting the front but at least spacers are cheap and I can always remove them later if I add more weight to the rear.

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[myhikingboots]

I’m definitely not an expert but my understanding is that spacers are not a good idea. But you could swap out the front springs and get some more lift. Just my two cents. What are your thoughts on the Lonepeak? That is the camper I plan on getting for my long bed TH and I will be swapping out springs also. Good luck and happy travels!

 

[Pappy]

Interesting. When I talked with Dobinson about my truck they told me I needed the 819's. I installed the 819's, and they were a joke, so I installed 821's. Give me a break, so I installed their 1/2" spacer. OK, I can live with that, for now. I suspect the 823's are in my future, especially if I install an auxiliary fuel tank.

 

[eatsomeonion]

I’m definitely not an expert but my understanding is that spacers are not a good idea. But you could swap out the front springs and get some more lift. Just my two cents. What are your thoughts on the Lonepeak? That is the camper I plan on getting for my long bed TH and I will be swapping out springs also. Good luck and happy travels!

I think top mount spacers (eg Peak Suspension spacer) won't affect how springs and shocks perform. They affect CV and control arm's operating angle, but I haven't heard anyone blow their CV due to 1" lift.

Heavier springs make sense if I have a front bumper and winch installed. Without weight it's going to feel stiff.

Westcott's preload collar works differently, and they claim "you retain your factory ride quality", but I don't understand how it is possible.

Though I haven't tested these myself, so real-world experience may vary.

I ordered the LP camper before they released V2 and increased price, so I got a free upgrade. IMO at old price, they are a no brainer. Complete electrical and water solutions, plus spacious interior. At current price you might want to compare it with Topo Topper, Dirtbox and Superpacific and find what suits you best.

 

[eatsomeonion]

Interesting. When I talked with Dobinson about my truck they told me I needed the 819's. I installed the 819's, and they were a joke, so I installed 821's. Give me a break, so I installed their 1/2" spacer. OK, I can live with that, for now. I suspect the 823's are in my future, especially if I install an auxiliary fuel tank.

Nice rig
Did your springs settle at all after a while?

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

I replaced my suspension with Total Chaos UCA’s and Full King coil over suspension and Dobson 819 rear springs. The 819's are good for my constant weight of 900 to 1000lbs in the rear.
BUT, UGH
after having PACIFIC UPFITTERS in Troutdale Oregon install a Backwoods Adventure high clearance overland bumper with a Warn 12k winch, along with a full set of RCI skid plates, and a set of 8 Diode Dynamics rock lights i have lost a lot of the control in the front, due to the 150lbs of bumper and winch.?
I will be replacing the front king coils with heavier rated ones from King.
The truck sits at 6200lbs and even now handles amazing
Before and after surgery

 

[Pappy]

Nice rig
Did your springs settle at all after a while?

Maybe a little.

 

[Cry_Borg]

I replaced my suspension with Total Chaos UCA’s and Full King coil over suspension and Dobson 819 rear springs. The 819's are good for my constant weight of 900 to 1000lbs in the rear.
BUT, UGH
after having PACIFIC UPFITTERS in Troutdale Oregon install a Backwoods Adventure high clearance overland bumper with a Warn 12k winch, along with a full set of RCI skid plates, and a set of 8 Diode Dynamics rock lights i have lost a lot of the control in the front, due to the 150lbs of bumper and winch.?
I will be replacing the front king coils with heavier rated ones from King.
The truck sits at 6200lbs and even now handles amazing
Before and after surgery

Well, I've got a full set of RCI plates, their front bumper, and a Warn 10k winch sitting in my garage all waiting to be installed. Already have their sliders on. Have been debating whether or not I'll need to swap out the springs on my Kings -- seems I should just get it done. I've got the Dobinsons 821s in the rear and they're overkill for my needs. Might give the 819s a shot -- seems you're happy with those.

 

[oxi]

I remember the simpler days with my 2010 SR5...

Simple 10-pack leafs rated 500 lbs and EMU springs up front 200 lbs running 285's on 16's...

Our old Baja truck had National 10-pack leafs...

 

[JustAnotherDingus]

My goal was to lift the rear and level the truck after adding a bunch of weight, maybe with a tiny bit of rake. Stock springs were sagging pretty bad.
After talking with Dobinsons, they recommended C59-823V. Here is what they told me:



Which means I should get ~1.25" of lift, pretty close to stock Trailhunter rear height.

However after installing the springs and taking some measurements, I ended up with +2.5" rake. All heights measured from center of hub to fender:
Front: 23"
Rear: 25.5"

This is with 800lbs of constant weight. When we add our usual trip gear (2 eMTBs at 50lbs each + riding and camping gear), I doubt the rear will sag enough to level out.

I hope the springs will settle a bit after some driving but I doubt it. I might throw on a Peak Suspension or Westcott Designs spacer lift up front. Wasn't planning on lifting the front but at least spacers are cheap and I can always remove them later if I add more weight to the rear.

I have the same setup as you - almost. (6’ bed for me, but otherwise identical! Love the LP)

I ended up with the 821s so a little less stiff I think? They’ve been great and my truck looks like it did stock. Or damn near close to it. I think we are running a similar constant load? My drawers are so heavy but I love them.

But I’m not sure the 823 was an option either when I snagged mine six months ago? Hm. Because they recommended the 821s to me at the time. Would it help if I took a pic or measured my rear as a comparison at all? Tbh I’d rather swap the coils to something closer to what I’m looking for vs putting in spacers in the front if they weren’t working out for me. I dunno if dobbinsons would let you do that though or give you a discount etc to swap if you wanted.

Have they settled a bit?

 

[myhikingboots]

I have the same setup as you - almost. (6’ bed for me, but otherwise identical! Love the LP)

I ended up with the 821s so a little less stiff I think? They’ve been great and my truck looks like it did stock. Or damn near close to it. I think we are running a similar constant load? My drawers are so heavy but I love them.

But I’m not sure the 823 was an option either when I snagged mine six months ago? Hm. Because they recommended the 821s to me at the time. Would it help if I took a pic or measured my rear as a comparison at all? Tbh I’d rather swap the coils to something closer to what I’m looking for vs putting in spacers in the front if they weren’t working out for me. I dunno if dobbinsons would let you do that though or give you a discount etc to swap if you wanted.

Have they settled a bit?

Off subject, but I'm in the process of getting a LP for my TH. I would love to see your setup in the back and any advice that you could give.

 

[eatsomeonion]

I have the same setup as you - almost. (6’ bed for me, but otherwise identical! Love the LP)

I ended up with the 821s so a little less stiff I think? They’ve been great and my truck looks like it did stock. Or damn near close to it. I think we are running a similar constant load? My drawers are so heavy but I love them.

But I’m not sure the 823 was an option either when I snagged mine six months ago? Hm. Because they recommended the 821s to me at the time. Would it help if I took a pic or measured my rear as a comparison at all? Tbh I’d rather swap the coils to something closer to what I’m looking for vs putting in spacers in the front if they weren’t working out for me. I dunno if dobbinsons would let you do that though or give you a discount etc to swap if you wanted.

Have they settled a bit?

It would help so much if you can measure both front and rear!

They have settled exactly 1/2" on both sides.

After driving 500 miles and some light offroading, I do think the 823 is the correct spring rate for my load. The rear feels plush, less bouncy, and articulates nicely. I just don't like the rake, and realistically I won't ever carry enough load to level the truck.

 

[JustAnotherDingus]

Off subject, but I'm in the process of getting a LP for my TH. I would love to see your setup in the back and any advice that you could give.

Won’t be able to take pics for a few days but basically I have a set of black-carpeted wood drawers back there (resembling decked system for overall dimensions!) with a fridge slide that tilts (but sits flush) on top, and I LOVE them. Heavy though. So not efficient, or a necessity by any means, but it’s so nice to just have a drawer of tools and another drawer with camping crap separated like that. Getting in is a bit of a thing but the raised platform is nice for interior livability when you’re inside. I’m 31 so the mild acrobatics required don’t really bug me at all, even with my bad back. (Pro tip don’t break your back in your late 20s lol). Oh also! I am able to set up and tear down this camper all by myself with my bad back and it is absolutely fine. Closing it requires a bit of bicep I guess? But it’s really pretty easy to me.

I have a gen 1 lone peak and I know they’ve improved stuff since then with the gen 2. It looks super nice. I’d recommend joining the owners Facebook group! That community is fantastically kind and helpful. The company itself is fantastic. Nicest people. Amazing customer service. They’re not perfect but honestly as someone who has spent most of their career doing interfacing between vendors & my employer, they’re an absolute pleasure to work with.

The lone peak + a couple bins of gear will almost level your truck out weight wise on the stock Trailhunter springs. Just a heads up!

Accessories wise I went way more barebones than a lot of people do. I just got front and rear windows (would have gotten one side if I had a V2), a fan, two load bars, the heater port, 3x awning brackets, and the solar ports so I could run my own cable later.

Definitely get 2x sets of channel covers, a pile of tee nuts, 1x extra set of mounting pucks (this is a necessity and should come standard imo), and extra grab handles too. (I got all of these up front at the recommendation of other owners and have zero regrets). There’s also a super nice guy who 3d prints/designs little things like rain gutters and cup holders etc on Etsy. His stuff is the bomb.

A lot of people like their battery system and the lights. I had some LEDs lying around so I just ran all that off a power station that has a 30A 12v output and it works like a dream. lone peak even ran the bare leads for the fan so I could finish the wiring myself so that was really helpful. Idk about their water tank and drawer accessories. The side storage bags and side molle panels seem useful. The one downside of the V1 is the hinge doesn’t really afford you the the ability to mount anything of weighty substance on the doors.

I’d also recommend clipping a carabiner to the rear strap/thing used to close the tent. It can flap away in the wind sometimes but I clip it to an elastic loop on the window to prevent this. Easy hack. And it’s saved my bacon a couple times.

That’s all I can think of off the top but feel free to ask more questions! The tldr is I love this camper, I’ve only had one issue with it (rear window delaminated a bit but I was able to self repair with LP instructing me easily), and my biggest recommendation is, get extra mounting pucks at a minimum and if you are going barebones, might as well have them drill out the solar glands and heater port for you to save time down the line!

Hope that helps!!

 

[JustAnotherDingus]

It would help so much if you can measure both front and rear!

They have settled exactly 1/2" on both sides.

After driving 500 miles and some light offroading, I do think the 823 is the correct spring rate for my load. The rear feels plush, less bouncy, and articulates nicely. I just don't like the rake, and realistically I won't ever carry enough load to level the truck.

Sure thing! I won’t be able to sit and do this for a few days but not a problem.

They really are such nice coils though. The ride difference has been night and day for me

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