Springs or Air bags

SavageCanuck said:

Lordco quoted me $581.Napa $399 I bought online for $260 no tax and installed them myself it took 2 hrs start to finish.

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man lordco dont like you! lol they have some screwed up prices if you just walk in......get an accout or know someone in the store!

I bought mine at traction in Edmonton great price and I installed my self in a couple of hours well worth the inmvestment.

Welcome to Traction website - Bienvenue sur le site de Traction

IMO airbags, add-a-leaf, overloads, don't mean a thing....just because it can pull it doesn't mean it should. You see the aftermath of too little truck/suv pulling too big a trailer all the time on youtube. All those load levellers are not going to help when that trailer wants to go the opposite way the truck is going. BTW ALLtrucks will sag under weight, that is the way they are designed...it's for the cushy ride some folks want when not carrying a load. One member here suggested going to the scale and getting it weighed, abso-freakin-lutely. I took my old truck and trailer combo to the scale and it was suggested that my truck was too small for the trailer(trailer was completely loaded, and had the quad in the box as well). I took the advise, bought a 3/4 ton and a world of difference. Some say I am over kill, I say I am safe!! :d Just MY 2 cents worth!!

dodgeguy said:

IMO airbags, add-a-leaf, overloads, don't mean a thing....just because it can pull it doesn't mean it should. You see the aftermath of too little truck/suv pulling too big a trailer all the time on youtube. All those load levellers are not going to help when that trailer wants to go the opposite way the truck is going. BTW ALLtrucks will sag under weight, that is the way they are designed...it's for the cushy ride some folks want when not carrying a load. One member here suggested going to the scale and getting it weighed, abso-freakin-lutely. I took my old truck and trailer combo to the scale and it was suggested that my truck was too small for the trailer(trailer was completely loaded, and had the quad in the box as well). I took the advise, bought a 3/4 ton and a world of difference. Some say I am over kill, I say I am safe!! :d Just MY 2 cents worth!!

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You make some good points, and of course I personally would never own a half ton, but that isnt the point here. Chev half ton (accoding to their published specs) have a max trailer tow of 10,000#. This fellas trailer weighs 6000#, not a very big trailer. Might be a bit tongue heavy, but even a new 1-ton will sag under most bumper trailers.

Your suggestions to get it weighed are great, but I would think he is well within the trucks capabilities here. Weighing of course will answer all the questions, good advice. Just my opinion though...

One thing I have noticed about these Truck GVW's that are advertised espicially the HD trucks. Is that when they say maximun GVW of 17000... ish pounds, they are refering to a stripped down, 2wd, reg cab, diesel, duallie truck.
Lightest truck=Biggest GVW

So be very careful when you read GVW and make sure you read all the fine print.

I currently pull a 25' (overall 30') bumper pull that weighs approx 5900lbs maximum GVW. The water tank(30 Gal) is also in front of the trailer axles.

In the box of the truck I carry an 04 660 griz, 20 litre jerry can gas, 25 litre h2o jerry can and a 4500 watt generator(soon). I will have to get ramps for the quad built soon also.

I drive a f-150 crew cab 4wd. With Firestone Ride Rites air bags installed. I also use a 1200lbs Reese sway bar hitch.

On the drivers door of the truck it says 7200 lbs.

7200lbs - quad(700lbs) - trailer(5900lbs) - extras(300lbs) = 300lbs left before exceeding GVW

Now I think Im being pretty generous with those weights as I don't think Ill ever have 1200lbs of supplies in the trailer. (Trailer dry is 4467lbs)

Now to end the ramble I pull this with overdrive off at 100-110 km/h all the time (get 1 mpg doing it)

But the truck handles fine in 40km/h crosswinds you can drive it as close to normal as you would expect. The air bags are awesome they work perfectly with the factory suspension to ABSORB the dips in the road and maintain a very nice ride, without getting that chit just bottomed out feeling.

I would say airbags. I used crimped steel braided hydraulic lines, and a "T" as air lines. Heard the plastic stuff can break. and melt at the worst possible time.

Also have been told if you ever plan on carrying a sled deck where you could put all the weight on one side, to NOT "T" the air bags together as it will become very tippy.

As for a compressor I bought a bicycle tire pump at Wally world for 8 bucks.

hope this helps with your desision

Oh ya and the electric brakes on your trailer are also there to help stop you, I get going about 20km/h touch truck (just enough to trun on brake lights)brake pedal then SLOWLY turn up trailer brake controller application untill you can feel trailer pulling you down. If you do this going to fast you will set the trailer brakes to high and skid your tire while in town and not even know it.

Griz-L-Bar said:

One thing I have noticed about these Truck GVW's that are advertised espicially the HD trucks. Is that when they say maximun GVW of 17000... ish pounds, they are refering to a stripped down, 2wd, reg cab, diesel, duallie truck.
Lightest truck=Biggest GVW

So be very careful when you read GVW and make sure you read all the fine print.

I currently pull a 25' (overall 30') bumper pull that weighs approx 5900lbs maximum GVW. The water tank(30 Gal) is also in front of the trailer axles.

In the box of the truck I carry an 04 660 griz, 20 litre jerry can gas, 25 litre h2o jerry can and a 4500 watt generator(soon). I will have to get ramps for the quad built soon also.

I drive a f-150 crew cab 4wd. With Firestone Ride Rites air bags installed. I also use a 1200lbs Reese sway bar hitch.

On the drivers door of the truck it says 7200 lbs.

7200lbs - quad(700lbs) - trailer(5900lbs) - extras(300lbs) = 300lbs left before exceeding GVW

Now I think Im being pretty generous with those weights as I don't think Ill ever have 1200lbs of supplies in the trailer. (Trailer dry is 4467lbs)

Now to end the ramble I pull this with overdrive off at 100-110 km/h all the time (get 1 mpg doing it)

But the truck handles fine in 40km/h crosswinds you can drive it as close to normal as you would expect. The air bags are awesome they work perfectly with the factory suspension to ABSORB the dips in the road and maintain a very nice ride, without getting that chit just bottomed out feeling.

I would say airbags. I used crimped steel braided hydraulic lines, and a "T" as air lines. Heard the plastic stuff can break. and melt at the worst possible time.

Also have been told if you ever plan on carrying a sled deck where you could put all the weight on one side, to NOT "T" the air bags together as it will become very tippy.

As for a compressor I bought a bicycle tire pump at Wally world for 8 bucks.

hope this helps with your desision

Oh ya and the electric brakes on your trailer are also there to help stop you, I get going about 20km/h touch truck (just enough to trun on brake lights)brake pedal then SLOWLY turn up trailer brake controller application untill you can feel trailer pulling you down. If you do this going to fast you will set the trailer brakes to high and skid your tire while in town and not even know it.

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You are totally wrong, forgot the weight of the truck. Don't use trailer weight only tougue weight. Google GVWR. By the way you are overloaded!

Travel Trailer Weight Calculator

Check out this link

Mine came out to 8700lbs trailer weight with 1030lbs tongue weight.

The way people figure 1/2 tons work is like saying they are a frickin car. I got full boxed frame, V8 power, a 4spd, and a big ass tank, its a truck people don't get carried away and forget that

bigz64 said:

his truck is well within the limits of a 1/2 ton. maximum 1/2 ton trailer weight ratings are anywhere between 9000-11000 lbs. i have a trailer same size and it makes my back end sag a bit with a 3/4 ton. unless you have a 5500 all trucks are going to sag with that little of weight.

a good weight distribution hitch and anti-sway is the way to go btw i have airbags and a cordless air compressor, works great.

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I'm not sure where you got the info for a 1/2 ton towing 9000-11000 lbs. but my Chevy 2500HD 4x4 crew cab short box with the 6.0 litre engine was only rated to tow 9900 lbs. and its handling was a real pig when I got anywhere near 9000 lbs. That was why I sold it and bought a Dodge with a Cummins.
BTW the Chevy came from the factory with the trailer pulling package already on it.

seano11 said:

where online did you order them from

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Sd springs and they included free shipping

Griz-L-Bar said:

One thing I have noticed about these Truck GVW's that are advertised espicially the HD trucks. Is that when they say maximun GVW of 17000... ish pounds, they are refering to a stripped down, 2wd, reg cab, diesel, duallie truck.
Lightest truck=Biggest GVW

So be very careful when you read GVW and make sure you read all the fine print.

I currently pull a 25' (overall 30') bumper pull that weighs approx 5900lbs maximum GVW. The water tank(30 Gal) is also in front of the trailer axles.

In the box of the truck I carry an 04 660 griz, 20 litre jerry can gas, 25 litre h2o jerry can and a 4500 watt generator(soon). I will have to get ramps for the quad built soon also.

I drive a f-150 crew cab 4wd. With Firestone Ride Rites air bags installed. I also use a 1200lbs Reese sway bar hitch.

On the drivers door of the truck it says 7200 lbs.

7200lbs - quad(700lbs) - trailer(5900lbs) - extras(300lbs) = 300lbs left before exceeding GVW

Now I think Im being pretty generous with those weights as I don't think Ill ever have 1200lbs of supplies in the trailer. (Trailer dry is 4467lbs)

Now to end the ramble I pull this with overdrive off at 100-110 km/h all the time (get 1 mpg doing it)

But the truck handles fine in 40km/h crosswinds you can drive it as close to normal as you would expect. The air bags are awesome they work perfectly with the factory suspension to ABSORB the dips in the road and maintain a very nice ride, without getting that chit just bottomed out feeling.

I would say airbags. I used crimped steel braided hydraulic lines, and a "T" as air lines. Heard the plastic stuff can break. and melt at the worst possible time.

Also have been told if you ever plan on carrying a sled deck where you could put all the weight on one side, to NOT "T" the air bags together as it will become very tippy.

As for a compressor I bought a bicycle tire pump at Wally world for 8 bucks.

hope this helps with your desision

Oh ya and the electric brakes on your trailer are also there to help stop you, I get going about 20km/h touch truck (just enough to trun on brake lights)brake pedal then SLOWLY turn up trailer brake controller application untill you can feel trailer pulling you down. If you do this going to fast you will set the trailer brakes to high and skid your tire while in town and not even know it.

Click to expand...

People like you scare me, in the fact that they do not understand weight limits. For the record, the numbers on the trucks door sticker is for that EXACT truck. Let's forget the GVW, GVWR, GVAR and all that because a lot of people don't understand them. Your truck has a max towing capacity, it also has a max hauling capacity which are very different. Hauling is what is on the trucks axles which you have to stay under. Towing is what is under the trailers axles. This is not one number, the two are very separate.

And for the record any new 1 ton will sag like a SOB with a feather in the box. Can't even haul what your legally allowed without something to help the suspension or you will be riding on bumpstops.

rondun said:

I have a 2010 Chev 1500 4wd, And a 6000lb holiday trailer. When I put the trailer on the back of my truck sinks lots. I loose about 2.5 in. Should I put a leaf or an air bag system on any thoughts.

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Have you tried picking up a link on your equalizer hitch (shortening the chain between bars and trailer frame). Easy fix and it's what it's there for - unless you also have a load in your box. Get your lever out and reef on those puppies!

If your trailer hitch is less than 10% of trailer weight then I'm sure your within the GVWR of your pickup, unless you also have a load in the box.

It's easy to go over weight on a 1/2 ton if the trailer is packed front heavy and/or you have a large box load.

ksean said:

I'm not sure where you got the info for a 1/2 ton towing 9000-11000 lbs. but my Chevy 2500HD 4x4 crew cab short box with the 6.0 litre engine was only rated to tow 9900 lbs. and its handling was a real pig when I got anywhere near 9000 lbs. That was why I sold it and bought a Dodge with a Cummins.
BTW the Chevy came from the factory with the trailer pulling package already on it.

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huh?

i have a 2006 2500hd 4x4 short box. they are good for 12000 lbs bumper pull and 15300 lbs for gooseneck. thats with 1 driver and 1 tank of fuel only.



scroll down to page 22 and yes i did read the fine print at the bottom of the page

mine handles like a dream when i have a sled deck with 2 quads or a my holiday trailer or both

Cyle said:

People like you scare me, in the fact that they do not understand weight limits. For the record, the numbers on the trucks door sticker is for that EXACT truck. Let's forget the GVW, GVWR, GVAR and all that because a lot of people don't understand them. Your truck has a max towing capacity, it also has a max hauling capacity which are very different. Hauling is what is on the trucks axles which you have to stay under. Towing is what is under the trailers axles. This is not one number, the two are very separate.

And for the record any new 1 ton will sag like a SOB with a feather in the box. Can't even haul what your legally allowed without something to help the suspension or you will be riding on bumpstops.

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OK then tell me why I should be scared. Everyone keeps telling me Im crazy but doesn't back it up with numbers.

I found that site and link that I posted earlier.

I entered all the information as it requested and it says Im fine for weights, so I have got facts, and numbers saying Im okay.

Im not trying to be rude or arrogant, Im young and stupid and need people ,like yourself perhaps, to share your knowledge of WHY Im not safe with facts and numbers.

Not just saying Im wrong and nuckin futs to do what I do.

So some numbers that came out of my owners manual and off the drivers door jamb sticker of a 2006 F-150 crew cab 4x4 5.5' box with 20" tires

Maximum GCRW=14500lbs(Manual)
Maximum Trailer weight=8700lbs(manual)
GAWR rear-3850lbs(Door)
GVWR-7200lbs(Door)
Actual Rear Gross Axle weight- 2338lbs(Sourced from VeHix.com)
GVW- 5500lbs(Sourced from 4x4review.com)


Now the trailer
Maximum GVWR-5900lbs
Maximum Tongue weight(Calculated)-590lbs

The quad
04 griz 660-650lbs

Anyway after all those numbers I come out with this:
Gross Axle Weight Rating rear

Tongue weight MAX(590lbs) + Quad(650lbs) + RGAW(2338lbs) = 3578lbs
GAWR Rear(3850lbs) - 3578lbs = 272lbs on the safe side of my Maximum rear axle weight

GVWR is not really used( I think) when talking about trailers as it refers to only the truck.

Gross Combined Weight Rating

GVW(truck)5500lbs + GVW(tralier) Maximum 5900lbs + Quad 650lbs + Others 500lbs = 12550lbs

GCWR 14500lbs -12550lbs = 1950lbs on the safe side of GCWR

Now you will notice that I used the maximum GVW of the trailer as stated on the yellow sticker on the side of it.

Please some one tell me what or if Im not figureing something right. I know I used some Numbers that are not directly off my truck, but I think that everything here would be withing 50lbs-100lbs of being accurate. I Im going to take these numbers to my Insurance agent( who happens to me be a neighbour) and have him go over them and see if he would still insure me if something was to happen. And I will post back here when he lets me know either way.

I don't want to be running an unsafe rig, or have people thing Im an A hole I just want the RIGHT answer and if you can't provide me with logical numbers and facts I dont want to read it.

Don't try to justify your $60,000 1 ton was needed when I pull the same chit with my 1/2 ton and Im still legit.

You are very close on your rear axle weight. That is why people use 1t. You forgot yourself ,passenger, and fuel. Also I would bet (and I hope) you have a little more tongue weight then you think. Now I think you are right on or over. And I am not trying to be rude but you asked and I have a 1t lol....

the numbers seem good but they are just that. just fill up your tank and drive to un-manned scales. test everything measure the truck alone, both truck axles with trailer connected, unhitch the trailer and weigh the tongue and weight the axle(s) of the trailer. with you and a full tank of gas, a full tank of fuel of 100 liters is close to 200 lbs and the average man is 200 lbs

this is to make sure your numbers are correct

my truck is 500 lbs heavier unloaded than what people in the internets said it would be or what other guys are getting for weights

my plan on my trailer is to put the generator and jerry cans on the back of the holiday trailer to lighten the load on the truck, but not to much or the trailer will be dangerous to pull and sway everywhere with no wind...

campingnut said:

You are very close on your rear axle weight. That is why people use 1t. You forgot yourself ,passenger, and fuel. Also I would bet (and I hope) you have a little more tongue weight then you think. Now I think you are right on or over. And I am not trying to be rude but you asked and I have a 1t lol....

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Yes Iam close on the Rear axle, and maybe I do have more tongue weight I will know as soon as I cross a scale. I can't acurately add how much passengers would wiegh to the rear axle. And the tongue weight calculation is based on 10% of Maximum Trailer weight(5900lbs) ,which my tailer is not, so it could also be said I have a Lower tongue weight.

haha ya sorry seeing red a little ...1T

Griz-L-Bar said:

Yes Iam close on the Rear axle, and maybe I do have more tongue weight I will know as soon as I cross a scale. I can't acurately add how much passengers would wiegh to the rear axle. And the tongue weight calculation is based on 10% of Maximum Trailer weight(5900lbs) ,which my tailer is not, so it could also be said I have a Lower tongue weight.

haha ya sorry seeing red a little ...1T

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The thing is. Is that you are maxed out in every aspect there's no room for error just cuz your door sticker says your legit doesn't make it so

sweld said:

The thing is. Is that you are maxed out in every aspect there's no room for error just cuz your door sticker says your legit doesn't make it so

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The only thing Im close on is rear axle but the scale will determine how much.

1950lbs overall is alot thats like putting 3 more quads in,on ,behind... my truck thats alot.

bigz64 said:

the numbers seem good but they are just that. just fill up your tank and drive to un-manned scales. test everything measure the truck alone, both truck axles with trailer connected, unhitch the trailer and weigh the tongue and weight the axle(s) of the trailer. with you and a full tank of gas, a full tank of fuel of 100 liters is close to 200 lbs and the average man is 200 lbs

this is to make sure your numbers are correct

my truck is 500 lbs heavier unloaded than what people in the internets said it would be or what other guys are getting for weights

my plan on my trailer is to put the generator and jerry cans on the back of the holiday trailer to lighten the load on the truck, but not to much or the trailer will be dangerous to pull and sway everywhere with no wind...

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absolutly going to do that tried once already over by Castor but scale was buggered everything only wieghed 40 kg. would be nice but doubt it. ya I got some metal for my basket already, little nervous about generator going back there in case of gravel road and dust.

Griz-L-Bar said:

The only thing Im close on is rear axle but the scale will determine how much.

1950lbs overall is alot thats like putting 3 more quads in,on ,behind... my truck thats alot.

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Hey I understand that. I have a 06 f150 tried to pull my 27' bumper pull legally weight wise nothing in the box and I would never try it again truck can't handle it comfortably but to each there own