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09-29-2020, 07:02 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 55
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Weight distributing vs airbags
Anyone take airbags over a good equalizer system? Just bought a used Wildwood but deal didn't include an equalizer. Got suspension salespeople telling me to ditch the equalizer for an airbag system.
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09-29-2020, 07:14 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 432
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An airbag system wont help with sway. I think the money is better spend on a WDH for travel trailers.
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2020 GMC Denali 4X4 2500HD Duramax
2018 Work & Play 25WAB
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09-29-2020, 07:38 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 55
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sdelam
An airbag system wont help with sway. I think the money is better spend on a WDH for travel trailers.
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Sdelam, I still thinking that way too. I'm thinking if I were going to drop a pickup camper on the truck I'd be more open to airbags. I'm no engineer but it seems intutively better to distribute that tongue weight rather than bumper it.
Thanks for weighing in. Been 20 years since I've towed.
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09-29-2020, 07:38 AM
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#4
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Mopar Guy
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Woodstock, CT
Posts: 421
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airbags do not transfer weight back to the front axle
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Dave
2019 Grey Wolf 24JS- sold
1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial 41wds
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09-29-2020, 08:26 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Monticello, IL
Posts: 1,696
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WDH and air bags serve two entirely different purposes, one isn’t a substitute for the other. Do it right and get a good WDH.
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2017 GMC Canyon - CCLB, 4x4, 2.8L Duramax, ARE Z-series shell
2013 Shamrock 21SS
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09-29-2020, 09:15 AM
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#6
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,786
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselDrax
WDH and air bags serve two entirely different purposes, one isn’t a substitute for the other. Do it right and get a good WDH.
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This^^^^^^^
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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09-29-2020, 09:22 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 4,510
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Airbags (or "Timbrens") don't increase the rear axle weight capacity either. They will level the truck which is of some value carrying cargo as long as you don't exceed the vehicle's capacity but they're no help for towing.
Don't confuse the symptoms with the disease: Proper weight distribution equals level towing. Level towing does NOT equal proper weight distribution.
-- Chuck
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2006 Roo 23SS behind a 2017 Ford Expedition
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09-29-2020, 09:39 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: WNC
Posts: 560
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HangDiver
This^^^^^^^
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X 3
Reese with built in sway
https://www.rvautoparts.com/66074-Re...4aAljFEALw_wcB
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Retired Paramedic
2020 FSX 280RT
2005 Silverado 1500 Ext cab 5.3 H.O.
2011 HD Road King
Nights camped since 2019.....all of Em...Homes a 2001 Sea Breeze 36' 5 ER
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09-29-2020, 09:45 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Northern KY
Posts: 5,724
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Thirteen minute video on youtube discusses this very subject...
https://youtu.be/XBZu39pQ8Gg
__________________
"nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle."
Thomas Jefferson to John Norvell pg. 2, June 11, 1807
2014 Shamrock 183
2014 RAM 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab, HEMI, 3.21 gears, 8 Spd, 4X4 TST TPMS
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09-29-2020, 10:15 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2tracks
Anyone take airbags over a good equalizer system? Just bought a used Wildwood but deal didn't include an equalizer. Got suspension salespeople telling me to ditch the equalizer for an airbag system.
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This 'suspension salesperson' is a danger to anyone foolish enough to take his/her advise. The 'airbag system' serves a purpose and the Weight Distribution System serves a purpose. They can complement each other, but the WDS is always a Must. I installed a set of Timbrens last year (I have always had a WDS for over 35 years). I love the Timbrens for the stability of The Truck, I wish I had installed them many years ago. But..... I would never pull my trailer without the WDS. I would and have pulled my trailer without the Timbrens. Timbrens compliment the whole setup, but are not (or airbags) a replacement of a good WDS.
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Brother Les
2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD
2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
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09-29-2020, 10:30 AM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 55
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Thanks all for your timely responses. I've conferred now with my local RV dealer who originally sold this unit. We discussed My situation in detail with me. He basically said that airbags are not required for my situation but a good equalizer system is a must. I'm accepting that advice along with most of the posts here as the gold standard. Thanks again case closed.
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Ford F150 3.5L Turbo, HD Towing, Dif 3.55
2018 Wildwood 27RKSS
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09-29-2020, 12:01 PM
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#12
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,786
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This is an RV Forum. The case is never closed.
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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09-29-2020, 12:06 PM
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#13
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Professional Curmudgeon
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 754
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HangDiver
This is an RV Forum. The case is never closed.
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2022 Cougar Half Ton 24RDS fifth wheel
2014 Coachmen Catalina 253RKS (sold)
2017 F350 6.7L DRW CC LB 4x4 Lariat
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09-29-2020, 12:53 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 21
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Air bags / WDH
I use both on my Ford F-150
I air up my air bags to 30 or 40 lbs before setting up trailer and then set up WDH accordingly. Truck rides level and have no sway issues. Trailer weighs 6,500 lbs
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09-29-2020, 02:57 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Snohomish, WA
Posts: 1,151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rsdata
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This video is a great reference. It not only discusses the theories behind a WDH and Airbags, it shows in numbers that airbags can actually create an opposite effect with even more weight on the rear axle.
__________________
2017 Forest River Surveyor 247BHDS...
...Tugged by a 2016 F250 XLT FX4 SuperCrew, Shortbed 6.2L, 4wd, 3.73...
...Joined with a Husky Centerline TS 800-1200lbs WDH
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09-30-2020, 11:16 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 123
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Watch This First - Weight Distribution
Before you decide you should watch this YouTube video which really explains and proves the advantages of one system over the other.
https://youtu.be/XBZu39pQ8Gg
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09-30-2020, 11:20 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Monticello, IL
Posts: 1,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterVick
Before you decide you should watch this YouTube video which really explains and proves the advantages of one system over the other.
https://youtu.be/XBZu39pQ8Gg
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That was already posted in this thread. But yes, good video showing the differences.
__________________
2017 GMC Canyon - CCLB, 4x4, 2.8L Duramax, ARE Z-series shell
2013 Shamrock 21SS
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