Weight Distribution hitch/airbags thread

Dont think you are supposed to run airbags with WDH.

 

Welcome from NY.
Air bags & WDH.

 

Works well for me. WDH for the big adjustments, and Air Bags for fine tuning things. With my toy hauler the difference between hauling 1,2 or 3 bikes as well as other loaded items can make a difference in my tongue weight. My WDH is set up for my usual load out and the bags allow me to fine tune a non standard load out in seconds. I also find they help control the bounce on rougher roads as well as minimize sway.

 

I think you have to be careful about this. The airbags can counteract or adversely react to the forces of the torsion bars in some (possibly emergency) situations. Just because a lot of people do it doesnt necessarily mean its the right thing to do. I'd have to do some more research to provide the specifics but I believe it has something to do with the physics of the two components acting against each other. I think @ColoradoTJ has mentioned this too and he seems pretty well educated on aspects of towing.

 

The airbags really helped Tundra's ride on rough roads towing the travel trailer.

Keep our travel trailer close to the same weight (4900lbs with 460lbs tounge), and empty tanks while towing. Use an electronic sway control device mounted on the trailer that activates trailer brakes because the way I understand the operators manual it requires a sway device when towing trailers over 2000lbs, many WDH have sway devices, too.

We do not use a WDH in our case because the Tundra handles our trailer easily and is within operators manual requirements. Trailer tongue weight is within 9% to 11%, too.

2018 CAT Scales Results:

Maximum Front Axle Weight 4000lbs Front Axle Weight trailer connected, two people and 38 gallons gas on board: Actual 3420lbs

Maximum Rear Axle Weight 4150lbs Rear Axle weight with trailer connected, two people and 38 gallon gas on board: Actual 3460lbs

The weight is distributed nicely with our Tundra/trailer rig, careful where gear is placed in the Tundra to get the above axle weights.

 

Firestones all day. There are 14 vintage motorcycles in that trailer on the pro suspension.

 

Understood and agree. That said, WDH does all the work and adjustment and I simply fine tune the ride a bit with the air bags as it is easier than re-adjusting my WDH for every little deviation from my standard load out. That and it smooths out some of the bouncy bounce from the suspension on poor roads. I think the most I have ever put in my bags is 10psi, and that was towing my utility trailer(no WDH) with the truck and trailer loaded with landscape blocks.

 

I've got a Husky WDH hitch that I'm using. I'm understanding the set up overall but instructions indicate to have the sink (or load) at the rear wheels to be the same height or just a touch of sag.

My question is with the leaf springs in the rear of the Tundra don't you want a bit of sink (load) there instead of transferring all the load front and to trailer? Not talking much here. Just a 1" or so to load up the leaf's where they are somewhat effective. I haven't done anything to the stock configuration so I still have the high rear end. Basically let it load up to a level front/rear state on the Tundra.

Opinions?

 

What are you towing? How much hitch weight and resulting payload?

iirc, stock is 2.25" rake, after loading you do want some rake or at least level because nose high is not a nice steering/control experience.

What happens with a high hitch weight (still within max) is the bed bounces over potholes/bumps and the truck sags every once in a while anyway, and why people get airbags/Timbrens/Sumosprings to mitigate the drop and wear on the springs. If you have a low hitch weight and using the WDH you don't porpoise up and down, you're good without suspension support.

Over time rear springs do flatten out from heavy hauling and towing, and some members here have posted pics of it.

 

should have included that I guess!!
Forrest River Wolf Pup 17FQ. Small TT thats only 3900 gross if I recall. About 380 max on the tongue weight. I'm using the WDH for sway control (friction type torsion bar) as much as leveling.

Agree 100% that nose high is bad. Its just that the trailer is a single axle and I don't want to overload that end by being over tension on the torsion bars.

 

That's a nice light RV for your Tundra, I think level on both is fine.



Is it because you're approaching max GVWR on the RV with the stuff inside? Is the truck bed loaded?

I find putting gear over the axle and towards the front of the RV, and evening some of the weight with gear in the truck bed (within payload limit) makes the weight centralized and I sway less. I also have a rear TRD sway bar. I used to have a Pro Series WDH that had an adjustable side sway bar for our PUP. Now I have a Blue Ox WDH with built-in sway control for our TT.

 

I've watched that video before. Its what drove my question.

I'm on the light end for sure for a WDH. Sway probably isn't a problem for me either but I had the hitch so I figured I would use it. On those really windy midwest days I didn't want to find out I needed sway control. The wife would probably look at me really silly if I came out with the "oh, we had one of those but I decided not to use it" statements.

I'll adjust the torsion bars so I'm level or a bit low. Not really loading the trailer heavy (empty tanks). The truck will just have the two of us, two eu2000 gen's, and then normal camp rugs and chairs. 250 lb in the bed max I bet.

 

I have been renewing my knowledge on towing and hitches recently. It's been a few decades since I last towed with a WDH, but basically my review indicates to adjust the WDH keep the front wheel well (front suspension) at the same height, measuring before and after hitching up. That maintains the proper loading on the front suspension for steering and handling. Link below is for a Husky Center Line installation specifically, but there numerous videos on setting up WDH and towing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdXFnrjIYH4

 

So the deal is I’ve got a 2018 tundra crew max 4x4 sport Trd. I’m headed out to Colorado from Georgia for elk season, as of now I’ll be pulling an 8x20 ft tandem landscape trailer with a John Deere gator and 2 600lb atvs plus gear. Im guessing With everything I’m gonna be around 6500 lbs or so. Would airbags be a good investment for that weight range? First time towing with this truck, coming from a 3/4 ton diesel so wondering what this thing is capable of. Any suggestions?

 

Probably not as long as you load your trailer properly.

@ColoradoTJ might be able to shed a little more light

 

Only if you want to keep your rear leafs from taking a set.

Just put a set on my new truck and an glad I did. Used my last Tundra like a truck and the rear leafs were a "W" shape in short order.

 

I've towed similar weight without issues.
I do want air bags in the long run so I can keep the truck level while towing since I lifted the front to level it.

 

Air bags are nice( I have them), but weight distribution hitches are king. Just my opinion.

 

As long as you keep your tongue weight proper, you should be ok. If you plan to do this kind of towing a lot, I’d probably do the air bags.

 

Watch this video, I think is fairly unbiased.

https://youtu.be/XBZu39pQ8Gg

 

Do you need air bags at that weight no
Should you get them hell yes!
Best up grade you can make for towing. The tundra is awesome at towing but the bags make up for those weak leaf springs.
You be glad you have them if you tow a lot.

 

I don’t tow a ton. Got a 5500 Cummins for heavy stuff. Mostly just a side by side and a fourwheeler and that’s about it except for this trip I do every year. But do plan on running a topper and a decked system eventually so the air bags will help then anyways

 

Air bags definitely prevent me from squatting.

 

Air bags are nice if you are going to tow that load a lot. Depending on the air bag it can change the unloaded ride.

 

Just got my first Tundra in November. (2019 TRD Pro but new off the lot) and want to put some airbags in it to help tow a camper.

Previous 1/2 ton trucks I have owned struggle to pull a 6000lb camper comfortably on the highway and these are suppose to make a big difference. Any recommendations for brands that work best or will any airbags do? Need to install a compressor as well.

 

I have a 2019 Pro as well and tow a 4500# boat. I decided on the Firestone Ride Rite bags (kit 2445). I decided against an on board compressor, mainly because it’s not needed for me.

My bags just came actually, so I’m probably going to be installing them today.

 

Firestone seems to be the popular choice on the forum and the ones I’ll be going with at some point.

 

I’ve been looking at those firestone ones among others. A lot of the specs say they’ll fit 2007-2014 and I want to be sure they’ll fit a 2019. This goes for the 2445 Squeaky mentioned as well. Can anyone give me specific details about what will go on a 2019? I just want to be sure before I order. As far as compressors, Will any one due?

Thanks