What’s the best leaf spring setup for a work van: aftermarket or helper springs?

[AlexanderIJ]

I’m looking at replacing the factory leaf springs on my work van because the constant heavy tool loads have it sagging badly. I’m just not sure if going with a heavier duty aftermarket set is the right move, or if I should add helper springs instead to get the ride height and capacity back.

[Robert65]

I swapped to heavier springs on my van last year. It did lift the rear under heavy load, but the ride got harsher and I felt every bump on city streets. It did stop the sag when the toolbox was in there, at least.

[Jerry5]

I started with helper springs. They pushed the rear up a bit and kept height more steady under load, but with a full tool haul the squat still came back and the steering felt a little off after a week.

[AdamYW]

Could it be the tires or worn bushings rather than the springs? I keep wondering if the problem isn’t what I’m actually loading the rear with.

[HarperD]

I’d lean toward heavier leaf springs if you haul heavy loads every week, but the ride will suffer. I tested that, and it wasn't a clean win. If you want to keep the current geometry, helper springs seem tempting but need decent dampers to avoid a pogo vibe.