Towing (aibags)

[jdstrd]

I tow a 23' toyhauler w/ my 05 tundra. And want to know if anybodys running airbags to help with towing. Also which one to get. thanx

[mycomik]

timbren overloads
Not an airbag but an overload system that will not mess with your ride when not towing.
Have worked great on my t-100 for years.

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by jdstrd

I tow a 23' toyhauler w/ my 05 tundra. And want to know if anybodys running airbags to help with towing. Also which one to get. thanx

You really shoudn't need airbags if you've got a good a Weight Distributing Hitch, with strong enough spring bars (1000 lb or higher), have the spring bars properly adjusted (front suspension drops as much as the rear suspension when you hook up the trailer), and you have good sway control. Airbags should never be used to compensate for trailer induced rear sag.

[KLS]

Here's a diagram of how a weight-distribution hitch puts part of the trailer hitch weight on the truck front wheels and also a small amount back on the trailer wheels.
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/produc...stribution.php



This "Equal-i-zer" brand hitch is one of the best, and combines weight distribution with very effective sway damping. It sells for $400 from rvwholesalers.com.


Ken

[boody]

At what weight do you start to need a WDH?

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by boody

At what weight do you start to need a WDH?

I recommend a WDH anytime the tongue weight is 350 lbs or more and strongly feel a WDH is mandatory whenever the tongue weight is 500 lbs or more. A 350 lb tongue weight roughly corresponds to a 3000 to 3500 lb trailer (assuming 10% to 12% of the trailer weight is on the tongue). Some trailers put as much as 15% on the tongue, in that case a WDH should be used with a trailer that only weighs about 2700 lbs.

[Scottytundra]

Originally Posted by jdstrd

I tow a 23' toyhauler w/ my 05 tundra. And want to know if anybodys running airbags to help with towing. Also which one to get. thanx

I have been running firestone airbags for 6 years on my 01 Tundra, an I have installed them on my 05 DC. The were the best 200 bucks i ever spent. I use them with a WDH. If your truck sits level, you will still have rear end sag when you hook up your trailer with a WDH. I only run about 30 PSI in my bags. It greatly improved the handiling while towing.

My .02

[mtcheral]

Will the equalizer WDH work on any trailer? I have a 27 foot boat trailer and boat I need to pull with my DC 2005 Tundra. Estimating weight 6000 lbs or so. Kinda worried about it cuz I have the truck up with 2.5 cornfeds in front and 1" aal in rear and 285's. Hope it's got the power for a pretty heavy rig.

[KLS]

Your boat trailer has trailer brakes, right? Absolutely necessary with a rig that heavy.

The "Equal-i-zer" brand hitch is maybe the only weight distributing hitch that works with hydraulic surge brakes on a boat trailer.
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/produc...patibility.php

With that heavy boat and the big tires, you really need to put a differential gear transplant into your plans. Maybe 4.56 to get your engine more into the power band. A Hellwig rear antisway bar will help stabilize your truck after the lift, and disconnect for serious off-road.


Ken

[Parshal]

Originally Posted by mtcheral

Will the equalizer WDH work on any trailer?

As long as you have the 'hooks' installed on the trailer frame to connect the spring bars it will work.

I installed Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS) on my truck. I've never tried airbags but the RAS keeps it from sagging and reduces body roll when not towing.

I would agree 100% with RockyMtnRay with regard to the weight of when to use a WDH. I used an equalizer hitch on my 2500 Ram diesel when towing a 4,000 lbs. trailer. It made the ride so much smoother and easier. I wouldn't even think about towing that trailer with my Tundra without it.

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by Scottytundra

I have been running firestone airbags for 6 years on my 01 Tundra, an I have installed them on my 05 DC. The were the best 200 bucks i ever spent. I use them with a WDH. If your truck sits level, you will still have rear end sag when you hook up your trailer with a WDH. I only run about 30 PSI in my bags. It greatly improved the handiling while towing.

My .02

If you get rear sag when using a WDH, then something is very, very wrong. Either you're not using strong enough WDH spring bars or (most commonly), you aren't tightening the bars enough. With strong enough...and fully adjusted WDH bars, it's possible to take all weight off the rear wheels and actually have the truck suspended by its front suspension and the trailer suspension. I not only never have rear sag with my WDH but can actually cause the rear to be higher than normal after hooking up the trailer.

There is absolutely no need to use air bags or any other overload type spring if the WDH has the right strength bars and is properly adjusted. The problem is most people simply don't sufficiently tighten the bars they have. In many cases, it's necessary to actually lift the tongue of the trailer with the tongue jack (after attaching it to the truck and latching the ball) before connecting the spring bars and then really tightening them (typically you need to drop 4 to 6 links on the chains).

Air bags improve ride by increasing the spring rate of the truck...it would be much, much better to use stiffer shocks with a properly adjusted WDH and leave the truck's suspension alone.

[KLS]

There was an ad years ago from (I think) EAZ-Lift hitch company where they hitched a trailer with their weight distributing hitch to one of the old front wheel drive Buicks, overtightened the bars, and removed the rear wheels. It drove OK for a short ways for demonstration purposes only.


Ken

[Blue99Ws7]

Originally Posted by KLS

There was an ad years ago from (I think) EAZ-Lift hitch company where they hitched a trailer with their weight distributing hitch to one of the old front wheel drive Buicks, overtightened the bars, and removed the rear wheels. It drove OK for a short ways for demonstration purposes only.


Ken

that would be something to see