W.D. Hitch/ Air Bag Combo Question

Blue2500CC · August 22, 2013

When we are camping local, we take firewood w/ us if allowed depending on where we are staying. I currently load it in tubs in the trailer. The "Better Half" would like it out, I would like a 2500! Lol

My question is IF I buy a set of air bags, then set my hitch up while the bed is empty with the minumum psi in the bags, then load the firewood up, and use the bags to return the rear to the same height as the "no firewood" truck/trailer combo was, will this possibly unload the bars?

I am hoping that if not, I can lower the bags to the minimum psi for the return trip home with an empty bed, not having the wd bars be off at all.

I talked to Reese today and was told that if it's only 100lbs or so behind the axle (usually have maybe 300lbs total-so most would be in front of or directly over the rear axle) that probably wouldn't need the bags, and shouldn't need to readjust the wd bars or dual cam set up with that little weight change.

I would hit the scales to make sure I am still under all the weight ratings if I do this!

Does this sound like a good idea, or starting to "split hairs" to much?

TY!

Chris

elite0259 · August 22, 2013

if you want to use both then just keep the pressure in the bags low enough that there is still pressure on the WD hitch bars

nht mike · August 22, 2013

The Reese information sounds about right. I'm a hair splitter when it comes to my hitch too! How I keep track is with a "story pole." Put your truck on level ground and put a mark on a stick at the height of your rear hitch and something on the front like the air dam. Hook up the trailer then remark the stick at the new levels. Both the front and rear of the truck should be lower. Use these marks to check anytime you change the load. If the rear goes down a little that's OK, if the front comes up you are taking weight off the steer axle and that's not good.

Mike

CKNSLS · August 23, 2013

The Reese information sounds about right. I'm a hair splitter when it comes to my hitch too! How I keep track is with a "story pole." Put your truck on level ground and put a mark on a stick at the height of your rear hitch and something on the front like the air dam. Hook up the trailer then remark the stick at the new levels. Both the front and rear of the truck should be lower. Use these marks to check anytime you change the load. If the rear goes down a little that's OK, if the front comes up you are taking weight off the steer axle and that's not good.

Mike

You are correct Mike, but with some trucks the front will still be raised a 1/2" up front. Not enough to be concerned with.

Blue2500CC · August 23, 2013

My main concern is having the Dual Cam system "seated" properly without needing adjustments. What Reese told me makes sense, just "hard to grasp" I guess I could say. Reese says to readjust the DC anytime load/weight changes, which could result in the system fighting to center itself.

Maybe I am splitting hairs way more than I should!!!

The totes I have for the wood are about 42" long, so about 12-13" will be behind the axle centerline.

Probably the best thing to do is to load up the totes in the truck and see how much the rear drops.

TY for the replies so far!

Chris

CKNSLS · August 23, 2013

Chris,

FYI- I towed a 5,500pound - 29foot travel trailer 8,000 miles in 8 months with a completely stock 2011 5.3 Silverado Crew Cab. I used an Equalizer WD hitch and found no other mods were needed to tow. It had a 750 pound tongue weight. I used the stock Goodyear LS tires until I got to the East coast, and then replaced them due to tread wear with Nitto CrossTeks w/an "XL" load range. I really like the tires. It was a "bucket list" trip around the U.S.A.

Now that I am back home-the rear shocks, while not really bad, are softer than when I started off. I have replacements in my garage. The total mileage on my truck is 39,000.

Blue2500CC · August 23, 2013

CK,

8k in 8 months????!!!! Holy Cripe! Sounds like a great time! Have you ever weighed the truck/trailer combo? If so, are you under your gvwr? Just you & the better half, or more in the truck?

I think my biggest issue is the Century cab high topper- thats 200lbs right there! And our tw is a little higher than yours. It is amazing how quickly the weight adds up!

As I mentioned, maybe I am splitting the hairs to much since I am right near the max on the truck. The plan is to get a 2500 (who knows -maybe even a srw 3500!) in a couple years when the 'Nox is close to being paid off.

CKNSLS · August 24, 2013

I am under my GVWR. It was just the wife and I and her very small dog. I had a very small toolbox in the bed, and two rubbermaid containers that had extra clothes.

As an aside, I put 18,000 miles TOTAL on the truck in that 8 months. As I mentioned, 8,000 miles towing, 10,000 miles "touring" with the truck. We stayed at 50 different campgrounds, and travled through 32 states. It was a FANTASTIC trip.