Improving Ride Quality When Towing

[ace ventura]

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]

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.

[Prokopchuk_9]

air bags buddy, or an add-a-leaf...id go with air bags, simple install and they cost like 250 bucks....

[03blackz71]

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]

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]

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

[66nova]

+1 on the Air Bags!

 

Just installed a set of Airlift Helper Bags

 

[BadBowtie1]

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]

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]

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.