Air Bags with WD Hitch

[dalford]

I know this topic has probably been beat to death but I have a question. I have a WD Hitch (Equalizer) for our TT. My TV is a F150. I noticed a small vibration when starting out in 1st/2nd gear. Once over about 20mph it goes away. I took my truck in for service today and discussed this with the service manager. He said it is well documented and is due to drivetrain angle and could be eliminated with adding air bags.

Now my question, if my wdh is setup correctly should the drivetrain angle then be correct. I think my wdh needs a small adjustment as I noticed when I went to the CAT scales with and without my trailer the front axle weighed about 150 pounds less with the trailer attached.

Would it be the wrong thing to do to add airbags for fine adjustment?

[mikegp1]

How are you measurements. I would do as much as possible with the WDH. Airbags would be for comfort. Just my opinion.

[Lucky Enough]

I have the same symptoms. Check out Roadmaster Active Suspension Kits | Helper Springs | Overload Springs . I learned a lot from the site. Ordered a set will install them on Monday. Trying to stay away from the air bags.

2010 F150 crew 5.4L
2013 Windjammer 3008w

[MtnGuy]

Fine tune the WDH before adding the air bags. That might solve all problems.

I am not a big fan on air bags for 1/2 ton trucks.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

...I am not a big fan on air bags for 1/2 ton trucks.

And your reasoning?

[MtnGuy]

Air bags encourage people to put more weight on the axle than it may be rated for. With no air bags, if the truck is sagging in back, then they might get the idea that there is enough weight there. With air bags, the truck won't sag (as much), giving people a false sense that more weight can be added.

Case in point are people that are trying to make a 1/2 ton truck work with heavy pin weights of 5th wheels. They are installing air bags to make the truck ride level, but may be exceeding the RAWR, GVWR, and GCWR. I have seen rear axle breaks on 1/2 ton trucks, and it is not a pretty sight.

Semi-floating axles installed in 1/2 ton trucks are just not designed to carry the weight like full-floating rear axles found in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Air bags encourage people to put more weight on the axle than it may be rated for. With no air bags, if the truck is sagging in back, then they might get the idea that there is enough weight there. With air bags, the truck won't sag (as much), giving people a false sense that more weight can be added...

Some of us just want a level truck. If I put 500# in the bed, I level with the bags and am not exceeding any wt limits.

I put lengthened shackles on to level the truck when empty because I don't like the tail high (running downhill) look so any load of much weight will make it tail low.

1200#-1300# in the bed is not overloading a 1/2T pickup and will even make a 3/4T sag in the rear.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Some of us just want a level truck. If I put 500# in the bed, I level with the bags and am not exceeding any wt limits.

I put lengthened shackles on to level the truck when empty because I don't like the tail high (running downhill) look so any load of much weight will make it tail low.

I don't understand how putting lengthened shackles will lower the rear of the truck.....seems to me that should raise it, but I don't know how you are set up.

My truck runs downhill empty.......figure I can get better fuel mileage that way. With a load, my truck levels out. Personally, I like that setup the same as you like your setup......to each his own.

Originally Posted by OldCoot

1200#-1300# in the bed is not overloading a 1/2T pickup and will even make a 3/4T sag in the rear.

Putting 1300 lbs. equally distributed in the bed of my truck will put me over the RAWR. If I didn't have a bed liner and track rack rails and hitch in place, maybe not, but it would still be close.

I could have gotten this load leveled with airbags if I had them, but it would have still be overloaded:



I only traveled about 1/2 mile on my own street, at less then the 25 mph speed limit.

[Grizzlygibbs]

I just ordered some airbags and will use them with my WDH. I also haul other stuff like dirt, bricks, etc. in my iddy biddy 5.5 foot Crewmax bed on my 08 Tundra. I am not getting airbags to overload, just to level out as the suspension seems really soft and spongy, regardless of the weight in the truck.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I don't understand how putting lengthened shackles will lower the rear of the truck.....seems to me that should raise it...

Rear springs fasten to shackles which go up from the frame anchor, thus lengthening them will lower the bed.

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I could have gotten this load leveled with airbags if I had them, but it would have still be overloaded...

But you have a FoMoCo.

[pwrstroke2012]

Have the dealer check into any service bulletins Ford has out for that year relating to adjustment of drive shaft and lubrication of ball joints that will eliminate shuttering your speaking of. A co worker just had his done and took care of problem. Be worth checking before spending money on air bags.