Which trucks have leaf springs?
Leaf springs are still used primarily on the rear suspension of some heavy-duty pickups and commercial trucks, including Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty, Ram 2500/3500, and GM Silverado/Sierra 2500HD. Most modern light-duty pickups employ coil-sprung rear suspensions.
Current landscape: which trucks still use leaf springs
In today’s market, leaf springs remain common on heavy-duty pickups and commercial-style trucks where high payloads and tough towing demands are routine. The following current models are known to use rear leaf springs in their standard or widely advertised configurations:
- Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty
- Ram 2500/3500
- Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD / 3500HD
- GMC Sierra 2500HD / 3500HD
Note: Most light-duty pickups (for example, Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500) use coil-spring rear suspensions in recent generations. If you’re shopping, verify the exact suspension configuration for the model year and trim you’re considering.
Why leaf springs endure in trucks
Leaf springs persist in heavy-duty trucking because they offer reliability, durability, and strong load-carrying characteristics that suit high payloads and long-term towing. They’re typically paired with solid rear axles for rugged performance and easier strain distribution under load.
- High load capacity: multi-leaf packs can handle substantial payloads without excessive flex.
- Durability and cost-effectiveness: simple design means fewer components to wear or fail and lower maintenance costs.
- Axle stability under heavy load: strong spring packs help keep the rear axle aligned when towing or carrying heavy goods.
- Repairability in work settings: easier to service in fleet operations and field environments.
In practice, manufacturers balance ride comfort and payload needs. Leaf-sprung setups tend to be stiffer when unloaded but excel when a truck is loaded or towing.
Shopping considerations: what to look for in a leaf-sprung truck
If you’re evaluating a truck with leaf springs, consider how you plan to use it—cargo capacity, towing, and daily ride quality all factor into whether leaf springs are the right choice. Here are key points to review:
- Payload and towing ratings: confirm the official numbers for the exact model/year and trim.
- Rear suspension details: verify whether the rear is leaf-sprung and whether it uses a solid axle.
- Ride comfort when unloaded: leaf springs are typically stiffer when the bed is empty.
- Maintenance and parts availability: leaf springs are robust but require inspection for wear and sag over time.
Bottom line: leaf-sprung trucks are especially well-suited to heavy payloads and demanding work duties, while coil-sprung versions generally offer smoother rides for everyday driving.
Summary
Leaf-spring rear suspensions remain a defining feature of heavy-duty pickups, such as Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty, Ram 2500/3500, and GM’s Silverado/Sierra 2500HD/3500HD. For most light-duty pickups, coil-sprung rear suspensions are now standard to improve ride quality and efficiency. When evaluating a truck for payload or towing needs, always confirm the specific rear suspension configuration by model year and trim.
