Air-ride question

[NomadMan]

I am pulling a Stealth Toyhauler 18SS with my 2005 Toyota Tundra. I have towed it all over the western US in the last two years and it always square the back end and makes the nose ride high. I have a buddy who put air bags in the rear suspense and I was wondering if I could get some input on doing this. Is it worth the $1500 I prices it out at? Will it help my truck tow the trailer better? Does it improve gas mileage at all? Any info you can give me would be great.

Thank you

[dlhoppe]

A weight distribution hitch would be a lot cheaper.

[SlowerThanU]

AirLift 1000 | Air Lift Company

I installed a set of these on my 2011 Pathfinder and they make a huge difference with respect to ride height. I was able to use one less link on the WDH and it now sits perfectly level.

[NomadMan]

I already have the WDH, and I am still not riding level. That is why I am researching the Air bags.

[mtnguy]

Originally Posted by NomadMan

I have towed it all over the western US in the last two years and it always square the back end and makes the nose ride high.
Thank you

I don't quite understand what you are trying to relay here. Does the nose of the trailer run high ?? If so, the hitch needs to be adjusted to make the trailer ride level.

What does "square the back" mean ???

[NomadMan]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I don't quite understand what you are trying to relay here. Does the nose of the trailer run high ?? If so, the hitch needs to be adjusted to make the trailer ride level.

What does "square the back" mean ???

Sorry, autofill on the iPad change squat to square. I meant squat the back. I have adjusted the hitch up once last summer and that did help some. I will move it up one more notch.

I am curious if the air-ride does what I have heard it does. For example, one mechanic told me that it increases your towing capacity by about 1500lbs.

I am trying to verify the benefits or usefulness of adding the air ride system to my truck.

[dlhoppe]

mtnguy,
I assumed he meant "squats" the back end of the TV. I figured he wasn't using a WDH. However, now it appears it's not adjusted correctly if he is in fact referring to the TV not riding level.

NomadMan,
A WDH can actually make your TV lower in the front if it's adjusted too far that way. I would explore adjusting your hitch first. You should be able to get your TV to sit correctly that way.

[dlhoppe]

Ha, you beat me to it.

Regarding the airbags, they might raise the backend of your TV, but your weight distribution will still be wrong. Chances are you don't have enough weight on your front axle. The air bags won't change that.

[mtnguy]

Originally Posted by dlhoppe

Regarding the airbags, they might raise the backend of your TV, but your weight distribution will still be wrong. Chances are you don't have enough weight on your front axle. The air bags won't change that.

I agree with dlhoppe.

NomadMan, If your WDH is adjusted properly, then there should not be a noticeable sag in the rear of your Tundra. Yes, it will still go down some when you hook up your trailer with the WDH.

You say you have already adjusted 1 notch. Me thinks you need to start from square 1, and do the fender measurements as outlined in your instruction book. It sounds like you don't have enough weight distributed to the front axle, but you don't want to put too much weight up there either....hence, then fender measurements to tweak your system.

I don't see the 18SS listed on the Stealth website. If you are referring to the SS1812, then it lists the tongue weight at 608 lbs. That is pretty heavy tongue weight for a listed 4240 dry weight trailer, but bumper pull toyhaulers tend to have heavier tongue weights so that when you load up the back, then you will still have enough tongue weight. It would be good if you could get an actual tongue weight after you get your toy(s) loaded and the camper ready for the road. That way, you can make sure you have the properly sized spring bars. Undersized spring bars may not give you the weight distributing that you need, and oversized spring bars might give you a rough ride and add extra stress to the Tundra hitch.

I am a believer that a properly sized and setup WDH will work with most trucks and trailers. I am also a believer that air bags should seldom be used on 1/2 ton trucks, especially to correct a weight distributing problem......as dlhoppe stated, air bags will not get the weight back on the front axle. A 1/2 ton truck has a semi-floating rear axle that can easily be overloaded, causing premature axle failure. Air bags will not increase the rear axle rating, and will not increase the listed towing rate for a vehicle.

[Holiday Road]

I used these air bags with a slide in camper and they worked great. I now want to use them when pulling my 5th. Price in canada is around 400 but I'm sure cheeper south of the boarder.