loaded 2500 hi-top

[wwk]

Anyone have any problems with a fully loaded 2500 sv v8 hi-top sagging in rear loaded up w/ tools , equip , etc. Im trying to decide between 2500 or 3500 . might have 1800 to 2100 lbs. I noticed the chevy and ford 1/2 tons can actually carry more lbs. Ive also seen a 2500 around that looks low in the rear end.

Anyone have any exp. or thoughts

[EmailZola]

Yes,

We are fighting with the dealership over this very issue. We have had a 2500HD in our fleet since spring. Recently, the rear end has started to sag so much that our headlights are blinding drivers in front of us.

We are significantly under the vehicle weight and actually carry less now than we did when we first bought the van.

Busam Nissan has refused to treat this as a problem stating that this is the way the van is supposed to sit.

We have over 20 vans in our fleet and were using this as a test. Thank goodness we only bought one.

Stay away from this vehicle.

[wwk]

how much weight

 

did and do u have in it? Im going to pick up my 3500 hi-top tommorow , i hope i made the right decision? 2500 hi-top shows 2755# capacity were the 3500 ht has 3600#s

 

let me know how u make out

Edited October 31, 2012 by wwk

[radin2son]

The NV 2500 low top weighs 5996 lbs empty and 6917 lbs with the van conversion. Add water etc. and it weighs 7942 lbs, more or less. Is the NV 2500 suspension sufficient to handle this with out sagging?

 

Truck Trend has an article on Firestone Ride-Rite Air Spring kit install. Is this needed? The first post suggests they had a problem. I haven't noticed any sagging when the van is fully loaded, but I can measure the bumper to ground difference before and after it is loaded.

[Bates]

I'm anti-airbags and much prefer a product called Super Springs (supersprings.com) as a leveling spring for those that complain about sagging.

[radin2son]

I love it. Something I could install to something the right man with the right tool is needed for my fleet of one. As luck would have it, NV is not on the approved list.

 

Seriously though, is the second post a legitimate or frequent complaint? Truck Trend's article was for a pickup with slide in camper towing a trailer with another truck on it. I can see this being an issue in that context, and there are NVs that are used to tow.

Edited September 3, 2014 by radin2son

[Bates]

I've put supersprings on the NV several times, tire shop I use recommended it so it must fit or be compatible.

 

2nd post is a legit complaint, I had a couple of customers complain about it. I asked them to go to a road side scale and get the vehicle weighed.  My suspicion is payload is being exceeded in most of the cases.  Also advised to spread the weight out a bit, worrying about exceeding the gross axle weight rating.

 

If I got a complaint about sagging today I'd ask the customer to bring the vehicle in and I'd go weigh it myself with my tech's. If it was under payload amount and sagging excessively I'd push service to find a solution. It's not the end of the world to sag a bit as adding weight and a bit of sag goes together quite logically.  The question becomes at what point is it excessive, at what point does it mean that the leaf springs aren't doing the designed job? I don't know how to answer that.

 

Payload includes everything you put in the vehicle: driver, shelves, the weight of your gas, cargo, your morning cup of coffee......I've found customers often underestimate the weight being put in. I've advised and talked several clients into 3500 cargos after seeing what they carry. I've had customers ignore my suggestion and had several come back and tell me I was right. 

[radin2son]

I understand what you are saying. If the 2500 has a capacity of 2755 lbs and the 3500 is rated at 3600 lbs, there shouldn't be any sag if loaded properly and the above lbs are not exceeded.

 

The air bag and, I presume, supersprings do not change the above load limits. So, did Nissan design the correct rear suspension for each model, or are we left to correct any problems?

[Bates]

There's nothing wrong with the design nor an error to be corrected. 

[radin2son]

Gotta stop reading Truck Trend...

[Bates]

Ah they are fine but unless you have an issue I wouldn't worry.  If there is a problem, go through the crap at the dealership then if they can't fix take matters into your own hands with one of the products to support the back end. 

[radin2son]

No issue, but checked it anyway. Supersprings guys measured the distance from the center of the rear fender well to the ground. With the camper conversion and 17 gallons of water and various gear left in the van, the van weighed just over 7000 lbs. It measured 34.5". With another 1000 lbs more or less with a full fuel tank and everything in the van but me, it measured 33.75 - 34".

 

Since I avoid night driving as much as possible, I have no idea if this affects the headlights. I doubt it, as the NV 2500 was designed for this weight.

[Pete442]

My 3500 high top v8 fully loaded 5500 to 6500 lbs van drops 2 to 2 1/2 inches not bad at all run 85 to 95 mph from tampa to Miami and back once a week rides and handles awesome and more than enoug power

[Pete442]

That's 5500 to 6500 in cargo

[andy_george]

I'll be jealous of that weekly drive when the snow is flying here in Michigan!

 

Thanks for the info...

[Edgar]

All NVs look kinda low in the back to my eye. 

[andy_george]

They sure don't have the jacked-up, pitched forward look of many of today's pickups. But I think the stance looks good enough....larger wheels and tires, (although unnecessary, expensive, and actually hindering towing capability) would make it look more modern. But I'm happy the NV follows the function-over-form principal.

 

Our previous Savana conversion van always looked like the rear was lower than the front. Drove me crazy....

[Nationwide Fiber Services]

I stopped into the Commercial Nissan Dealer in Des Moines. I counted the leafs on the 2500 and 3500 and asked the People there whats the diference. He said the 3500 has 1 more leaf then the 2500. I showed him the 2 I looked at and he was well I don't know then.

[radin2son]

Same number of leafs? 

 

Nissan online comparison provides little useful comparison info and you found a dealer who doesn’t know why the 2500 payload is 2760 and the 3500 payload is 3550. 

 

2500 tires 245/70R17

3500 tires 245/75R17

 

If you don’t need the extra capacity  go with the 2500. No reason you can’t go to the larger tire. 

 

 

 

Online 

[Builder]

On 9/2/2014 at 4:35 PM, Bates said:

I'm anti-airbags and much prefer a product called Super Springs (supersprings.com) as a leveling spring for those that complain about sagging.

Is that what the two oval covers hide (at rear of van deck) are the nut/bolts to add the super Springs under that spot?

[crusty]

On 10/29/2022 at 5:10 PM, Builder said:

Is that what the two oval covers hide (at rear of van deck) are the nut/bolts to add the super Springs under that spot?

he was last active on this site back in 2016.

[radin2son]

Builder. If I recall correctly, Bates is/was the commercial sales or service manager at a dealership in BC. You may want to search, see if he still is and ask him. 

[Builder]

On 11/1/2022 at 9:09 AM, radin2son said:

Builder. If I recall correctly, Bates is/was the commercial sales or service manager at a dealership in BC. You may want to search, see if he still is and ask him. 

Thanks RAD, I'll have to take a picture of it and show my local dealership. Doesn't seem to exist in the suspension section of repair manual, including exploded diagrams. I'm pretty sure it has to do with beefing up the height of rear. I'll let you all know when I figure it out!