What trucks are leaf springs used in?
Leaf springs are still used mostly on heavy‑duty and commercial trucks, and on some traditional or off‑road‑focused pickups. They’re less common on modern light‑duty pickups, which often use coil or multi‑link suspensions.
Leaf-spring technology is a long-standing approach to carrying heavy loads and towing demands. This article explains where leaf springs appear in today’s truck lineup, highlights representative models that still rely on them, and explores why manufacturers continue to use this old‑school system in specific duty cycles.
Representative trucks that still use leaf-spring rear suspensions
Representative examples of current production trucks that use leaf-spring rear suspensions include the following:
- Ford F-Series Super Duty (F-250, F-350, and F-450) — widely used for heavy payloads and towing, with a traditional leaf‑spring rear setup on many configurations.
- Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 Heavy Duty — built for commercial and heavy‑haul work, using a leaf-spring rear axle to maximize load capacity.
- Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD — part of General Motors’ HD lineup, with leaf springs on the rear for payload and stability under load.
- GMC Sierra 2500HD — GM’s HD counterpart to the Silverado, sharing a similar leaf-spring rear suspension for rugged duty.
- Ford F-650/F-750 (and other medium/heavy‑duty commercial trucks) — many vocational and regional haul trucks in this class rely on leaf-spring rear axles for durability and load handling.
Note: In the light‑duty and most mid‑size pickup segments, leaf springs have largely ceded ground to coil or multi‑link rear suspensions. However, several heavy‑duty and commercial platforms continue to rely on leaf springs due to their predictable load distribution and straightforward maintenance.
Why leaf springs persist in trucks
Leaf springs remain a practical choice for certain kinds of trucking work. Below are some reasons they endure in the market:
- Durability and load-bearing capability: Leaf packs are sturdy and easy to scale for heavier payloads.
- Cost and simplicity: They are cheaper to design, manufacture, and repair compared with advanced independent suspensions.
- Proven reliability with solid axles: For high‑torque towing and rugged service, leaf springs paired with a solid axle offer robust performance.
- Compatibility with commercial chassis: Many vocational trucks are designed around leaf-spring suspensions, making replacements and maintenance straightforward.
Despite these advantages, leaf springs can ride less smoothly under light loads compared with modern coil systems. They can also add weight and require periodic maintenance of leaf packs and mounting hardware. For owners who value a balance of ride quality and payload capacity, leaf springs continue to deliver dependable, predictable performance where it matters most.
Summary
In today’s truck landscape, leaf springs remain a staple primarily in heavy‑duty pickups and commercial trucks, where payload and durability trump ride smoothness. Popular examples include Ford F-Series Super Duty, Ram 2500/3500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, GMC Sierra 2500HD, and various medium‑duty commercial models. For lighter duty work, automakers increasingly favor coil or multi‑link suspensions, but the leaf-spring approach endures where rugged reliability and payload capacity are paramount.
