The Best Pickup – Leaf Springs or Coil Springs? Which One to Choose and Is It Worth It
If we were in the USA, we would never ask this question. There, pickup trucks are used every day and are a natural part of the landscape. In Europe, however, pickups are not as widely seen or chosen, either for off-road use or by regular drivers. Is that fair? Learn why it might be worth buying a pickup and whether you should choose a model with coil springs or leaf springs.
Pickups with leaf springs and why they are disliked
There are several reasons why pickups are less popular in Europe: lower popularity of suburbs, terrain less suited for off-roading, and a lifestyle less connected to the country style living typical in America. For a European city-dweller, classic pickup was often seen as a work machine, not suitable as the only vehicle in the household.
This was due to features like a cramped, uncomfortable cabin, high body position, and most importantly, the traditional chassis design, which features a dependent suspension (rigid axle) with leaf springs at the rear.
Advantages
This setup works great for carrying heavy loads. The rigid, strong design holds up well under heavy use and remains stable on the road, even when fully loaded. What’s important is that you can easily increase its load capacity by adding an extra leaf spring, without needing to replace the entire suspension part, as is the case with coil springs.
Additionally, the pickup’s advantage over other work vehicles is its 4×4 drive and higher ground clearance. This allows pickups with leaf springs to carry heavy loads to hard-to-reach places without paved roads. For example, a delivery van wouldn’t be able to enter a forest to collect woodcutting waste. This is where pickups shine.
Disadvantages
However, the simplicity and durability of leaf springs come with their stiffness and lack of flexibility. This means that this type of suspension poorly absorbs bumps, leading to a rough, uncomfortable ride and a greater tendency to lose contact with the road because of the limited adaptability. As a result, it performs poorly both for regular driving and even for off-roading.
The best pickup? Pickup on coil springs and the new era of work vehicles
The leaf spring construction is less favored by many standard drivers, mainly because there’s more demand for multi-purpose vehicles that provide a smoother ride on asphalt and are comfortable for light cargo transport. Today, pickups are also built with a solid axle on coil springs, greatly improving the driving comfort and expanding the group of potential buyers.
Advantages
Coil springs offer a wider range of movement. For example, progressive coil springs provide a variable rebound depending on the compression level, making terrain changes less noticeable to the driver. This also improves off-road performance, thanks to better suspension articulation and improved wheel traction on uneven surfaces.
That’s why pickups now often feature solid rear axles with coil springs and a multi-link suspension system. This advanced suspension helps solve the problems of stiff leaf-spring suspensions, while still offering good stability, traction, and a wider range of wheel movement.
This is the case with the Nissan Navara, a leader in Europe’s multi-purpose pickup market. The first pickup with multi-link suspension with coil springs was the RAM 1500 DS, launched in 2009. Ford adopted this design in the same year. However, the Navara became the first coil-spring pickup available in Europe in 2015.
Fun fact
The Ford F-Series, especially the F150, has been the most popular vehicle in the U.S. for several years. Other pickups like the Chevy Silverado and Dodge Ram also top the sales charts, proving that pickups dominate the market!
Disadvantages
On the technical side, one disadvantage is the lower load-bearing capacity. Coil springs, especially if slightly corroded, are more prone to breaking under heavy pressure. Even when in good condition, there’s a risk that one axle might sag under constant heavy loads, like if you’ve modified your pickup for heavy-duty use, carry large loads, or have an expedition set up with a roof tent. In such cases, additional spacers are sometimes used to solve the sagging issue without needing a full suspension upgrade.
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Additionally, it should be noted that a multi-link suspension is more complicated compared to leaf springs. These systems naturally consist of more parts, such as extra control arms or a track bar (Panhard rod). These parts also include components like bushings, which wear out and need to be replaced, especially more often under extra load.
Is a pickup worth tt?
Despite these technical considerations, the growing interest in pickups is largely thanks to more advanced designs in newer models, which allow them to serve many purposes while still offering lots of practical features. A great example is the mentioned Navara.
So, coil springs or leaf springs? Which one makes the best pickup?
A pickup with coil springs is almost perfect for anyone who owns a home outside the city and enjoys off-roading. It’s also ideal for people who need a work vehicle for everyday tasks or families who love car trips and active outdoor adventures.
However, pickups with leaf springs still hold their ground! If you need a work truck that can reach places other vehicles can only dream of, especially carrying heavy loads, you should definitely consider this option. Leaf springs offer better safety and stability under extra weight.
General Benefits of Owning a Pickup
Regardless of which type you choose, a pickup is a truly multi-functional vehicle. Its flexible design makes it easy to modify and adapt to various needs. Energy company or fire service truck? No problem. Overlanding vehicle? Absolutely. Pickups easily accept custom builds, offering even more ways to personalize and repurpose the vehicle.
Other benefits include:
- Easy transport of sports equipment, bikes, skis, etc.
- Convenient for carrying work tools, wood, rubble, ladders, furniture, and more.
- Safe transport of valuable large items thanks to a covered bed.
- The ability to carry loads to places other vehicles can’t reach.
- Flexible cargo space management (e.g., RAM’s Rambox).
- Versatile for personal, work, or travel use.
- And most importantly – off-road capability!
Klaudia Kusy
Author of the article
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