Tow vehicle set up

B_phillips · 07-05-2016, 05:48 PM

Hey guys I hope this finds you well, I am about to make a mod to my truck and I am wondering if any of you have had any experience. I'm sorry if this is posted elsewhere I looked but did not find.

Let me say first my truck tows my TT perfectly fine and has no trouble at all and I am under all my manufacturer weight ratings by a good margine. The one thing I do not like about my truck is the how low it rides and tows. At times my chains drag the ground and I would like to bring the entire vehicle up to gain a little more clearance but I am not looking to lift the vehicle. I would like to level the front and add either air bags or adjustable shocks to the rear. I do not want my truck to ride nose high when towing so to mitigate that I need some sort of assistance in the back. I am afraid if I add adjustable shocks it will still sag below the front end when towing my TT that weights 6300lbs dry. If I add air bags I believe I can level it out to the front but that doesn't provide any more clearance when not in tow. So I am at an impass I looked at trading for a 2500 Ram as I have a 1500 now but I'm not paying that much a month for a few extra inches when my truck tows just fine. I just don't like the height at which it tows. I feel like the truck is somewhat lower already any input would be greatly appreciated. I hope that makes sense to everyone.

The shop near me advises I put a leveling kit on the front and air bags in the rear. Please forgive any typos I am posting on my cell phone.

SeaDog · 07-05-2016, 05:59 PM

Why not go to a WDH and set things to ride level?

B_phillips · 07-05-2016, 06:21 PM

Thank you for your reply and I am sorry I should have clarified that. I do have a WDH and it does ride level when it is in tow and everything works properly. However, while it is engaged is what I want to change I would like it to tow about an inch and half taller so my chains don't drag on uneven surfaces and my electric jack doesn't get ripped off. What I hope to accomplish is keep everything in line the way it is while raised slightly. My truck rides lower than practical for me at all times. At times my front end may scrape when getting somewhere off of the road. So I would like to raise the front end by leveling it but in doing so would cause the rear to sag while in tow so I need to mod the rear end and I am not sure the best way to do so be it air bags or adjustable shocks. After leveling the front I need the rear end to tow in line so I need to mitigate the slight sag. I hope that helps.

PHS79 · 07-05-2016, 08:07 PM

I have the mods that you are talking about, but sounds like mine sits a fair amount higher. In my F150 I am running a 2.5" leveling kit, air bags in the rear and 325/60/18s (roughly 34" tall and 13.5" wide). My truck sits dead level with no air in the bags but as soon as I put even a couple hundred lbs in the bed the rear squats, and since I think the truck rides too soft I always run around 15 psi in the bags when empty.

For the average 3 day weekend camping with my truck loaded with wood, games, bikes, ect I run 30 psi in the bags. I inflate them before hooking up to the camper and hooking up the WDH. Once hooked up to our 3220BH Passport my setup is close to level, the rear is down only about 1/2" from the front.

davel1971 · 07-05-2016, 08:14 PM

tell us a little more about your truck and trailer

B_phillips · 07-05-2016, 08:23 PM

PH do you think if you had harder springs in the rear you would still sag? Adjustable shocks I believe can raise the rear end another 2 inches.

Davel I have a 2014 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 2WD. I could post a picture if it would help. This newer generation ram sits lower in general than my previous one did. My trailer is a 27ft and has a dry weight of 6200lbs and a hitch weight of around 825 lbs. The truck does fine I just need it to ride higher is all I want to accomplish. I am afraid if I don't add air bags and go with shocks the truck will ride nose up.

PH I am glad to hear the level kit doesn't effect your towing and even with a leveling kit I can't put those size tires on my truck

davel1971 · 07-05-2016, 08:40 PM

those trucks do sit fairly low compared to others, and equipped with very soft springs and have a low payload rating.

gfarmcafe · 07-05-2016, 08:59 PM

Need more information and pictures if possible. The type of WDH and how it's set up might be part of the problem. The receiver shank holding the ball may need to be readjusted to level everything, but the truck height should not be an issue given the weight of the trailer.

m2kamp · 07-05-2016, 09:28 PM

Easiest and incidentally cheapest/trouble free solution is a pair of Monroe Load Adjusting Shocks for the rear axle for under $100 shipped.

Setup in my sig below. About 900 lb tongue weight, 6300 lbs.

Even with the tongue dead dropped on the hitch, the rear end remains higher than the front with a slight forward rake. Rides just like stock too, but will raise the rear about an inch vs. stock unloaded.

Hope that helps.

B_phillips · 07-05-2016, 09:31 PM

M2 would that still be the case if the front was leveled?

There is nothing wrong with my hitch setup or the way the truck rides or tow. The problem is the truck itself sits to low I am trying to find out to raise it without a lift kit and still maintain the level rise I currently have.

MT Biker · 07-05-2016, 10:07 PM

I have a 2011 Ram 1500 2dr 2wd and with the WDH properly setup I don't have any sag issues (my tongue weight is a lot less than the OP)
When I was using the truck itself to haul PA equipment it used to sag and actually rest on the bump stops.
I took the truck while it was loaded to a spring shop and they took some weights and measurements to have a custom set of rear coil springs made up.
It cost about $700 total (installed) and when the truck was loaded with about 2300lbs in the bed it sat perfect as if it was empty.
Since I sold that company and now just use the truck for towing our trailer I had the factory springs put back in.
I noticed no difference in ride with the heavier custom springs installed, might be a option to look into for your issue.

m2kamp · 07-05-2016, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_phillips

M2 would that still be the case if the front was leveled?

There is nothing wrong with my hitch setup or the way the truck rides or tow. The problem is the truck itself sits to low I am trying to find out to raise it without a lift kit and still maintain the level rise I currently have.

Sounds like what I suggested would work great for you. My front is not leveled but I don't mind the forward rake.

Its as simple as installing new shocks.

You will likely have to reset your hitch as the suspension will be handling more load with the Monroe Load shocks.

m2kamp · 07-05-2016, 10:42 PM

There are aftermarket springs available.

Google Tuftruck springs for Ram.

They have a lot of different options, including variable rate if you are worried about a rough ride unloaded. Around $300

Major Oz · 07-06-2016, 12:46 PM

You say everything is perfect, except that your chains drag.

Wrap a bungee cord around the hitch,chains,power cord, and break-away.
Will NOT inhibit any way they are supposed to work.

Keeps everything out of the way (even when you cross the tracks in Louisiana)

Also......make sure your tongue post is HIGHER than your torque bars. I have seen many with the post almost dragging.

gfarmcafe · 07-06-2016, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major Oz

You say everything is perfect, except that your chains drag.

Wrap a bungee cord around the hitch,chains,power cord, and break-away.
Will NOT inhibit any way they are supposed to work.

Keeps everything out of the way (even when you cross the tracks in Louisiana)

Also......make sure your tongue post is HIGHER than your torque bars. I have seen many with the post almost dragging.

I have to agree with Major Oz. Without pictures of your WDH with the TV and TT hooked, this is all speculation. If everything is level from front of the TV to the rear of the TT, there's not much else you can do without major expense in changing the suspension.

davel1971 · 07-06-2016, 05:09 PM

are your chains longer than they need to be? Check the length at full turn. Maybe you can shorten them a few links and solve your problem easily.

brad10281 · 07-06-2016, 05:33 PM

I think many of you are missing that the OP wants his truck raised a couple inches in general...at least that's what it sounds like. I have a 2" level up front and airbags in the rear on my GMC Sierra. The airbags are great and I'm glad I chose those over blocks in the rear. Just be sure to reconfigure your WDH once you make any mods.

davel1971 · 07-06-2016, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad10281

I think many of you are missing that the OP wants his truck raised a couple inches in general...at least that's what it sounds like. I have a 2" level up front and airbags in the rear on my GMC Sierra. The airbags are great and I'm glad I chose those over blocks in the rear. Just be sure to reconfigure your WDH once you make any mods.

what I'm taking from it, is that this idea of raising truck was started by chains dragging, and he's looking for reasons to justify it. Just fix the chains and leave the truck the way it is.

emm-dee · 07-06-2016, 06:50 PM

I don't see raising (or even lowering) the truck making any difference at all. If the combined units are level now then raising the rear of the truck means having to lower the ball position on the shank to keep the trailer level.

Since the chains and tongue jack are attached to the trailer the "problem" is not going to be solved.

W5CI · 07-06-2016, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davel1971

what I'm taking from it, is that this idea of raising truck was started by chains dragging, and he's looking for reasons to justify it. Just fix the chains and leave the truck the way it is.

some folks have to much time on their hands and or to much money, just put a twist in the chains and enjoy your trip.

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