Rear spring and shocks for towing

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 26, 2012 11:18 pm

I have a 20 foot travel trailer. I got the sway and weight hitch and trailer brakes. My problem is when I get a side wind of 20 or more the truck feels soft in the rear. It feels like it gets light in the rear tires.
I was wanting so suggestions on some spring and shocks for the rear .

ChooChooman74 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 26, 2012 11:33 pm

LT tires and good sway control. I towed a bigger trailer and got pushed around by every truck.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 12:18 am

I have the sway control. I have AT tires at 40 pounds when pulling. Has anyone used air bags to help. It has stock shocks almost 7 years old. I would like to do right the first time. I have my twin girls in the truck. Want to be as save as possible. Thanks for all the help

ChooChooman74 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 12:37 am

But are the tires P rated or LT rated. Big difgerence in sidewall flexing.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 1:29 am

ChooChooman74 wrote:

But are the tires P rated or LT rated. Big difgerence in sidewall flexing.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

I will have to check that out. They are LT 10 pls . It say max tire pressure 80 pounds. I have been running at 40 pounds towing. Wonder if going to 50 would help

SLS · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:10 am

Glad to see this thread!
I hall a utility trailer with about 2200 lbs of liquid (WVO) with original towing package. Have been thinking I should beef up the rear suspension.
Noticed "ChooChooman74" is using Firestone Ride-Rite air suspension. How is that working out? Are you satisfied with that set up.
I am interested in what others have done to their suspension also.

SLS · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 10:13 am

After the other post I found this!
"Firestone Ride-Rite installation overview"
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=69494
No comments on how effective they are but you can see how they are installed.
Looks like a simple way to boost the suspension.
Also found a link to what appears to be a reasonably priced source:
http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/75A4899A0A0.aspx

DynoPax · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 10:21 am

I have the OME suspension (2"lift) and Airlift bags and pull a close to 4000 lbs hybrid camper when loaded. I noticed that checking and re-adjust sway & weight distribution after 15-30 min of drive makes a difference in how it handles in the back, as it usually gets some minor play, hence the required tightening

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 11:36 am

I tow a 17' travel trailer wityh a 405# tongue weight. In the manual it says a WDH (weight distributing hitch) is required for over 300#. I use a double round bar WDH with 600 pound bars, antisway bar with stock suspension and tires. I have experienced one time any "bad manners" from other vehicles. that was a Chevy Surbaban.

On the trailer forum for my brand trailers there's a thread about just this thing and it seems that a 45 degree gust or wind, from the left or right front side, is what causes problems and it also cuts fuel mileage if it's a continious wind. I have BFG Long Trail T/A tires that have a 50 PSI maximum inflation and run them at that when towing.

I believe unless you have worn parts, I'm at 56k miles, when your properly set up for your load and tongue weight no other suspension parts are needed. this subject comes up reguarlly on the trailer forum too and the "air bags on their F-150" users usually come around to the fact that a WDH is worth the cost in ride and handling.

Hitched up the rear of my liberty is 1 inch lower using a WDH.
Check your WDH for proper set up :JEEPIN:

WolverineFW · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 3:21 pm

Joe Romas wrote:

I tow a 17' travel trailer wityh a 405# tongue weight. In the manual it says a WDH (weight distributing hitch) is required for over 300#. I use a double round bar WDH with 600 pound bars, antisway bar with stock suspension and tires. I have experienced one time any "bad manners" from other vehicles. that was a Chevy Surbaban.

On the trailer forum for my brand trailers there's a thread about just this thing and it seems that a 45 degree gust or wind, from the left or right front side, is what causes problems and it also cuts fuel mileage if it's a continious wind. I have BFG Long Trail T/A tires that have a 50 PSI maximum inflation and run them at that when towing.

I believe unless you have worn parts, I'm at 56k miles, when your properly set up for your load and tongue weight no other suspension parts are needed. this subject comes up reguarlly on the trailer forum too and the "air bags on their F-150" users usually come around to the fact that a WDH is worth the cost in ride and handling.

Hitched up the rear of my liberty is 1 inch lower using a WDH.
Check your WDH for proper set up :JEEPIN:

I agree. I think at trip to the scale and some adjustments to the WDH might be in order. I have a 24 foot travel trailer that I tow which was just shy of 5000lbs last trip I towed it. No issues at all. I am about 1 inch lower as well with the WDH.

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 3:52 pm

I'm at 152000 miles has the stock shocks and springs. I getting so sagging in the front. I have a weight and sway hitch. Trailer breaks on the trailer. It really does pretty well. But when the wind is blowing or big trucks pass me. I feels light or soft in the rear of the truck. I have 600 pound bars on the hitch. I have adjusted it a few times. Its the best I had so far so trail and error.

The trailer dry weight is 3003 pounds. I might have 500 pounds of gear. I never carry water or sewer water . Or at least not yet any way.

I think the stock shocks and springs are just done. I'm really not wanting to lift the jeep it's main roll is towing . Thanks for all the help.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 4:30 pm

152k does make a difference and I suspect it's time for springs and shocks :juggle:

My dry weight is 2850 and another 500 for "stuff". A lot of how passing vehicles affects what happens to you is dependent on where the wind is from. As I mentioned 45 degrees foward left or right seems to make the biggest difference. The one time I really felt something from the Suburban the jeep did not feel "mushy" but instead it was like it was shook.

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 6:12 pm

Any thoughts on springs and shocks that everyone are using in a towing . Thanks for the help. :JEEPIN:

I know of the ome springs and shocks for the crd but raises it a couple of inch's . I guess if I didn't have another good choice. I would think about a lift for ome.

Rear spring and shocks for towing

Who is online