air springs/hitch

[Havoctec]

Just wondering if anyone has experience with both air springs and weight distributing hitches. If so which do you think gives better towing and why. I am going to put one or the other on a 1/2 ton truck to pull a 7000lb trailer. It work quite well without either except for the fact that the rear leaf springs bottom out.

I know that a heavier truck is the better solution but that is not in the cards right now. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif So lets just not talk about that.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Highbeam]

You will find that you are required to use the WD hitch system in your owner's manual with that much weight.

I run about 7000 lbs also with my half ton truck and use a WD hitch plus I have the overload rubber springs made by timbren for high cargo loads in the truck. With the proper WD hitch setup, you shouldn't need air springs to prevent sagging rump syndrome.

Definitely a WD hitch system to answer your question.

 

[SnoFalls]

I have air helpers in my 3/4t chebby and like them *alot*.

I can carry trailer tongue weight (which is a good thing), and use the bags for the added weight there. When not trailering, I air them down and truck rides nice.

I will say I'm not a fan of WD hitch _only_ solutions to sag ... to me they unload the rear tires too much and I worry about jacknifes when that's the case. They will keep the front on the ground for steering/stability, but in a panic stop, I think that trailer might pass ya.

Having *both* is almost like having a 5th wheel ... lotsa tongue weight, but distributed nicely ...

 

[Bird]

There's nothing wrong with using both in some cases, but you definitely need the weight distributing hitch whether or not you add air bags or shocks. Think of it this way . . . when you add weight (tongue weight, in this case) at the rear of the truck, you're not only pushing down on your rear springs, tires, shocks, etc., but you're removing some weight from the front wheels, which also reduces your steering control. So you're much better off by putting some of that weight on the front wheels.

 

[George2615]

My opinion is you need a WD hitch. If you are bottoming out, you have too much tongue weight or your springs and shocks may be worn out. The WD hitch distributes the load between both the front and rear of your tow vehicle. If your springs and shocks are worn out, not much is going to help short of replacing them. My truck (2500HD Duramax) can haul up to 12K on a Reese type hitch. I use a WD hitch on my 7K tilt bed trailer but have to unhook it in order to tilt the bed. New HD gas shocks would probably help your 1/2 ton or you can get new shocks that have helper springs on them that will give you another 500lbs support to help prevent bottoming.
George

 

[Egon]

I have air bags and wd hitch on my truck.The WD hitch helps even out the load. The air bags allow you to keep the truck level so the alignment is not affected.

The truck is also aligned with 2500 pound in the back.

Egon.

 

[OKnewguy]

Just going to thow this out there: Are you sure that your load is distributed properly? Sometimes just moving the load a few inches can be a big diffence in tongue weight.
Good luck, Dave

 

[Highbeam]

Hmmm, these two devices are for different things. The properly adjusted WD hitch will cause equal settlement of front and rear suspension when hitched up and ready to go vs. when empty. Now to be sure, this does not mean the same weight is being applied to each axle but some weight is being applied to each axle to preserve stable towing, alignment, and headlight aim. Neither axle is lightened.

Air springs or overloads only work to adjust the level of the truck when loaded, they may also increase the spring rate so that teach inch of spring compression takes more load. Air bags are needed when you carry large cargo loads to level the truck. The tongue weight of the 7000 lb trailer should be in the 700-1000 lb range, no big deal even for a half ton.

Many a trailer puller has been confused when using both air bags and WD systems. Since the WD goal is even settlement, what happens when you add a device that raises the rear end? How do you know when to quit pumping air?

Shocks aren't intended to carry a load, shocks manage bouncing.

I think you will be very pleased with the tow with only a WD hitch added. I notice a much smoother ride.

 

[SnoFalls]

My point about using a WD only (and I said only), is that in a panic stop situation, that WD is going to "help" unload the rear of the tow rig (the stopping will load the front, the WD lifts the rear). Your trailer brakes will help out here, but how much? How well are they adjusted? ...

When I'm "loaded heavy", I like the rear planted ... and adjust the load to keep steering ... I can take 'er slow, yet *ALWAYS* be in control.

As I said "both" are preferred /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Egon]

In heavy braking the front wheels will do around 60 % or more of the braking.

Egon