What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Why NOT tow with a shackle flip?

Status
Not open for further replies.
The simple answer is to just not tow with a shackle flip, and if you do, do not tow to rated capacity.
Click to expand...

Please refrain from statements like this unless you have personal experience towing with a flip, thanks.

With the overload deal, you actually have to be OVERLOADED for those to come into effect, so I do not count those as part of the spring pack. I think 9 or 10 leaves do just fine in keeping the shackle from swinging back.
 
Of course it is not acceptable, Tim says it isn't, so we should all agree with him right?
 
Have you had the opportunity to tow anything substantial with your truck after the shackle flip?
 
No, the load was so insignificant I do not think it was a good test. It was maybe 1500-2000 lbs, basically nothing for a 1 ton crew cab.
 
BlueBlazer62 said:
Do I get a discount on your parts if I agree with you Tim?
Click to expand...

This is a discussion on the use of a certain type of suspension on a towing vehicle. Don't make it into personal attacks. This type of crap has been talked about here and Steve has said it is not acceptable to turn a technical discussion into personal attacks.

I swear this is how I get dragged into everything, and how all of my threads go to hell. Keep it on the topic......suspensions. Don't make it personal.
 
Oh, boy. Another chance to argue with Tim about a subject he has no direct experience with, only his immense knowledge through his many years studying vehicle engineering. We should all once again believe it just because Tim says so.
 
How about this, i drive my truck down there, loaded for the trail, which puts weight at over 6200 pounds. Put it on a trailer, and tow it arround for a little while. If the shackle flip makes the truck sway and wreck, Tim is right. If it tows just fine and dandy, say like the truck did stock, i drive home, and we end this saying its fine.

Then this whole damn shackle flip and towing debate can be done, the dead horse has been beaten so badly it doesnt even look like a horse anymore.

Real world test, would that end this debate?
 
jac6695 said:
Oh, boy. Another chance to argue with Tim about a subject he has no direct experience with, only his immense knowledge through his many years studying vehicle engineering. We should all once again believe it just because Tim says so.
Click to expand...

My truck has had a shackle flip on it for longer than you've even had your trail rig, so I think you're more wrong than you even realize.

I'm pretty sure about the time I put the shackle flip on my rig, your truck was cruising the mall on some 235s, probably still with a V6, IFS, and a 7.5" 10 bolt.
 
joez said:
Have you had the opportunity to tow anything substantial with your truck after the shackle flip?
Click to expand...

I have. 86 K5 with a 454, Doubler, and shackle flip with at first 56" 3/4 ton springs, and later 64" 1/2 ton 88-up springs and 33" tires. Mostly towed a 5000 lb. 23' travel trailer all over the Mid-Atlantic region- mountains, flat land, didn't matter. With the proper towing equipment, I had no problems. I even had a blowout on the right rear with 35's on the truck and had no problems.

Can Timmy tell us of his shackle flip towing experience or is it all theory?
 
I have towed with my truck, nothing heavy. The rear suspension is too soft and it's just not safe. I have 5 leaf, 52" rear springs on my truck, not sagged or worn out or anything....
 
84_Chevy_K10 said:
This is a discussion on the use of a certain type of suspension on a towing vehicle. Don't make it into personal attacks. This type of crap has been talked about here and Steve has said it is not acceptable to turn a technical discussion into personal attacks.

I swear this is how I get dragged into everything, and how all of my threads go to hell. Keep it on the topic......suspensions. Don't make it personal.
Click to expand...
I think you drag yourself into alot with words like "Whining". :deal: :thinking:
 
I said this in the last "shackle flip" vs. "towing" debate.


Every time somebody has put a new shackle flip lift on their rig, they boast about how much "softer" the ride is, and how much more the springs "flex". I for one; do not want to describe the suspension, on the rig I tow with, as "soft" and "flexible" :grin:.

 
Deal, I would be willing to put my money where my mouth is. And unlike my counterpart, I will freely admit when I am wrong.

BTW Tim, no one dragged you into this, you chose to give your opinion and thus open yourself up to scrutiny of your opinion. I deleted my last comment out of respect for CK5 and the moderators. It pales in comparison to some of the things you have said, but you are right that it does not belong in this discussion.
 
Every time somebody has put a new shackle flip lift on their rig, they boast about how much "softer" the ride is, and how much more the springs "flex". I for one; do not want to describe the suspension, on the rig I tow with, as "soft" and "flexible" :grin:.
Click to expand...

This is on 1/2 ton rigs, and on my old K5 I didn't notice a softer ride with a shackle flip as when I had blocks, even with greasable bushings installed at the same time:dunno:
 
Okay so for Tim I will buy into the shackle flip creating a "softer spring". This is because of the shackle angle.

Now take the same rig with shakcle flip and put a set of springs on it that take the effective spring rate back to where is was pre shackle flip.
If I am reading this correctly now this rig is safe in your eyes to tow with Tim.

You are always arguing the spring rate. The shackle flip apperantly changes that. I did not notice a change in my personal truck.

I guess using this logic the conversation is basically done because I am arguing the Shakcle flip itself is safe to tow with, what your arguing is how effective spring rate affects the towing ability of the vehicle.

So lets have the discussion about "what effective spring rate is safe to tow X load with a vehicle that weighs Y and has a wheel base of Z. I will be using the following equipment blah blah blah.

Or did I just over simplify this?
 
This is on 1/2 ton rigs, and on my old K5 I didn't notice a softer ride with a shackle flip as when I had blocks, even with greasable bushings installed at the same time
Click to expand...

I did a search on this web site using the term "Shackle Flip", and this is only one of about thirty other comments I found just like it :grin:.

Comment: "I went with 4" ez-rides up front and 4" shackle flip rear and all of the goodies they have at ORD. The ride was greatly improved over stock it flexes really well off road."

To reiterate: "IT FLEXES REALLY WELL"!!!! :grin: :grin: :grin:
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom