How We Offset the Added Weight of a Crane on a Service Truck – SuperSprings

Adding a crane to a service truck increases weight on one side of the chassis, creating an imbalance that affects handling, tire wear, and ride quality. SuperSprings helper springs offset this asymmetric weight distribution, maintaining level stance and proper suspension performance on crane-equipped trucks.

Addressing Crane-Side Weight

Cranes mount to one side of the service body, concentrating several hundred pounds on either the driver or passenger side. This one-sided weight causes the truck to sit lower on the crane side, creating uneven tire contact, compromised handling, and accelerated wear on suspension components bearing the additional load.

SuperSprings installation restores balanced weight distribution across the rear axle, preventing the sagging and tilting that occurs when standard suspension can’t handle asymmetric loads.

Bolt-On Installation Simplicity

The steel helper springs use straightforward bolt-on mounting that integrates with existing suspension without requiring welding, cutting, or permanent chassis modification. Installation completes quickly during service body upfitting, adding suspension support without complex fabrication work.

The non-invasive installation preserves factory suspension components and warranty coverage while providing the additional capacity needed for crane operation.

High-Grade Steel Construction

Shot peened steel construction delivers durability under sustained heavy loads. The manufacturing process compresses the steel surface, increasing fatigue resistance and extending service life under the constant stress of supporting crane weight plus operational loads.

This construction maintains performance through years of daily use without the sagging or metal fatigue that limits cheaper helper spring longevity.

Self-Adjusting Roller Shackle

Patented roller shackles at both spring ends allow automatic adjustment as loads vary. When the crane lifts heavy materials, the springs compress to support increased weight. When operating without loads, the springs relax, maintaining comfortable ride quality.

This self-adjusting design eliminates the harsh ride associated with fixed-rate helper springs that don’t adapt to changing load conditions. The truck rides comfortably whether the crane is lifting maximum capacity or operating empty.

Maintaining Performance and Safety

Level stance ensures even tire contact with the road surface, improving traction, braking performance, and handling predictability. Balanced weight distribution prevents the steering vagueness and compromised stability that occurs when one side of the truck carries disproportionate weight.

Proper suspension balance also extends component life by preventing the accelerated wear on shocks, springs, and bushings that results from operating with sustained side-to-side imbalance.

Standard on Crane-Equipped Trucks

We install SuperSprings on crane-equipped service trucks during initial upfitting, ensuring proper suspension balance from the first day of operation. The integration happens before trucks enter service, providing turnkey crane functionality without suspension compromise.

SuperSprings work alongside other crane-specific features including the factory crane preparation in 11 Series bodies and the workbench bumper with hydraulic outriggers. Browse our crane-equipped service trucks with suspension properly configured for balanced crane operation.