Weight Distribution hitch/airbags thread

that is exactly what I was going to say. from the research I have done, I have found even pretty long-travel prerunners with rear leaf springs running the 2445 bags and the daystar cradles. they seem like the way to go if you tow with your truck.

 

Does anyone have experience with running firestone bags with a 1” shackle lift in rear. Will they work as is or do I need a spacer if some kind? Thanks.

 

My suspension lift consist of a AAL, 3 inch block and a 1 inch shackle and I had to use a 2 inch spacer. So I would say no on the 1 inch spacer. I would bolt it up first before buying the spacer. If by the slim chance you do need it, I think there about 50 dollars.

 

Hey y’all! So we tow our 37’ 2018 Highland Ridge Light 312BHS with our V8 5.7L tundra.

Roughly 7,500-8,500max

I bought the tundra years ago with a 3” lift in the front and no lift in the back.

This creates a really bad sag when the trailer is hooked up. I have a HUSKY TS weight distribution hitch/bars. I understand that bags and WD hitches do two very different things. But does anyone have experience with this type of lift?

I am considering putting bags (

$435 FIRESTONE 07-09TOY Tundra

Firestone 2445) in the rear to level the truck, re adjusting the hitch per manufacturer set up to the new level, and then leaving my bags at the level whether towing or not.

Also, I know this trailer is heavy for this truck. We only campsite hop with this truck. If thetrailer needs to be towed the 300 miles homewe would hire or use our families truck.

Thanks so much!

 

Good Evening..

Im planning to buy this but i would appreciate your thoughts/comments pls..

 

Joel I have had that air lift 5000 package for 10 years now. Now problems at all.

 

Good to hear that @ToastyStew .. also a follow-up question.. is there a big difference once u installed it as far as comfy ride ? i have a friend that once he installed an airlift... ride was not the same ..

 

Joel check yo see if these bags has the internal jounce inside the bag. From what I have read if they do i won’t buy them. Folks on here say it makes for a harsh ride. Just my opinion

 

actually they do have that Jounce inside the bag ..

do you have any suggestions ?

 

I saw some comments this is way better than AirLift i posted awhile ago..

 

I'm sure someone will chime in, but your right that bad boy does look heavy ! Lol

I only have air bags cause I'm only towing 3000 pounds

 

I can’t speak about air lift but I think most on here prefer ride rites by Firestone. That’s what I have had for 3 years and I would recommend them.

 

I appreciate the recommendation @Creatures 1982

 

The ride rites work great unless your a serious offroader.. As pictured with 25 psi.

 

NICE!!! @jeremyd

 

One more thing buy daystar cradles they are a must for adding airbags. They let the bags move freely up and down when lifting truck for service.
Might help Jeremy d also

 

Definitely have to keep an eye open when in for service..Last time it was in the shop for tires, I simply told them " don't rip my bags" And they proceeded to use floor jacks..

 

This is the one i googled...

 

No, I can't remember a big difference when unloaded - I keep it at 20 psi ( with the topper). Maybe just a smidge stiffer. When I put the airbags on I also put on old man emu heavy duty front coil overs on, so the whole suspension got stiffer. When loaded I fill to level and depending on the weight you will feel better control overall. I do have a topper on all the time though and have never not had a topper. If you don’t have any weight and run it at the lowest recommended psi (I think 10) I don’t think you would notice a difference. At 60 psi unloaded, yes....your kidneys will fall out.

 

THank you @ToastyStew ..

 

Hopefully! Lol

 

I think the gross trailer weight is with fluids and everything. Unless he travels with full tanks trailer should be 8000 plus gear. Probably still close to 8500 lbs. Get airlift 5000. They give you an additional 5000 lbs support. A word of advice, if your using the airbags as part of your active suspension when unloaded the ride will suffer pretty bad. Ideally the airbags wont be activating unless theres a load. I would say level the rear with shackles or blocks and adjust the WDH to the new truck height. THen when you tow, load the trailer, and then inflate the bags to bring you back to level.

 

Oh I see what your saying. THe tounge weight is for the fully loaded trailer so hes under that. Tundra doesnt have a max tongue weight persae. THe manual says the tongue weight should be 9-11 percent of trailer weight(for bumper pull and varies for fifth wheel etc...). So if you can tow 10,000lbs max tongue weight allowed is 900 to 1100 lbs. At 8500 Lbs his tongue weight shouldnt be above 900lbs which is technically still in in his capacity. Close but technically still workable. OP def needs some bags!

Another thing to consider is tongue weight can vary depending on how the trailer is loaded. Only way to truly know is to use a scale. I bet that the trailer isn't loaded ideally adding to that number.

 

Looks like they are calculating hitch weight at 11 percent of fully loaded trailer

 

If those are the specs for the trailer. it's a heavy one for the tundra. Looking at your hitch set up, doesn't look quite right. Whats the height of the ball on the truck with nothing attached? Also whats the height of the trailer coupler with it sitting level?

You said the truck has 3in. lift in the front and none in the back, weird. Anyhow if thats the case the hitch is adjusted wrong either way. Just by looking at the pic's your ball should be lower on the shank, I would suggest re-reading the first few steps of the installation procedure for the hitch. You can get a-lot closer to level.

-Jason

 

The hitch is not set up correctly. I have the exact same hitch, if you have the 1200lb bars it should be able to level the truck without bags. If you use the set-up procedure in the manual and follow it exactly it should be able to level the truck and trailer.

 

Repeating what I said in the other thread you started...
You don't have a "Lift" per say...you have a leveling kit as you already know, lifts the front to level out the rig with the rear. Leveling a truck and then using it for tow duty only makes the rear sag seem worse. My advise is shackle up the rear to put some "rake" back into the suspension, or remove the front spacers(leveling kit). Baring this your only recourse is to set your WDH...maybe fine tune a little with the bags and live with the squat.