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Improving Ride Quality When Towing

ace ventura

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ace ventura Enthusiast

ace ventura

Posted
Posted

I have a silvy 1500 with the 5.3l CC 4wd. I tow a pop up that weighs about 3500 pounds loaded. I am using a weight carrying hitch. The problem is not power but ride quality. I get a bouncy ride when towing. If you move the trailer or anywhere near the hitch when it's connected it's very easy to bounce the truck by hand and worse when driving over bumps etc.. I have changed my shocks to Bilstein HD (silver ones) as well. I am considering the options to improve the ride when towing like a weight distribution hitch, air bags, Roadmaster active suspension, etc... I'm looking for peoples opinions on the options I mentioned to improve the ride from bouncing.

wgp1977x Enthusiast

wgp1977x

Posted
Posted

I dont know about a pop up, but I tow a car on an open trailer. If I put the car to far forward or back, I get alot of bounce. You may need to balance your load out.

03blackz71 Senior Enthusiast

03blackz71

Posted
Posted

I would suggest a set of air bags. You would only need the light duty ones. Like the airlift ride controller bags. I have them and they would out great.

nbscanuck Enthusiast

nbscanuck

Posted
Posted

I've got Firestone Air Bags and love them. I leave about 5PSI in them when I'm empty and it helps out the ride there too.

Prokopchuk_9 Senior Enthusiast

Prokopchuk_9

Posted
Posted
I've got Firestone Air Bags and love them. I leave about 5PSI in them when I'm empty and it helps out the ride there too.

+1 on the firestone...thats what i got. had them in for two years no issues. even with towing in 50 below C

BadBowtie1 Enthusiast

BadBowtie1

Posted
Posted

I to like the air bags I dont tow to much with the 1500 maybe 3500-5000 if that, but the ride is much better and the sag is gone if you level or lift it. I use my DMAX for the big loads.

ace ventura Enthusiast

ace ventura

Posted
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Posted

The airbags definitely reduced the bounce? I just want to make sure because I don't have sway or too much sag (some) but I need to reduce the bounce. What i have been doing to keep the trailer level is I have a raised draw bar. I should mention that my pop up is a big one. It's a 12 foot box with a trunk in the front. I tried balancing the weight out but it still makes the truck ride poorly. Are the springs too soft on a 1500? Is that that reason?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

ACE

BruceW Enthusiast

BruceW

Posted
Posted

I have only had my Sierra a few weeks. I towed an empty 3000 pound (12K capacity) equipment trailer 10 miles with it today. If I towed that trailer empty with my previous Dodge the trailer would bounce the truck quite a bit as the trailers suspension is not loaded at all without a load. The Z60 suspension in my Sierra reduced the trailers effect on the truck greatly. I did not notice any bouncing.

 

I will be towing the trailer 150+ miles tomorrow 60 of which will be loaded. I will report back.

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