Towing with leveling/lift

[ConnRadd]

I have on order, GMC Sierra 1500 with the max trailering. I'm wanting to put a leveling kit, debating on RoughCountry or ReadyLift. To level it out, I know it makes the truck look nice and ride smooth. But my concern is if I tow anything with any substantial weight, will I be looking up into the clouds? I was thinking I should put a lift in rear to address that; but what will I lose towing capacity?

[newdude]

Yes leveling will send your lights to the sky with a load in the back. Rough country is one I know that has the front level and a rear block kit to put rake back in the rear end.

[AZGMCZ71Leveled]

Add some air bags in the back.! It's cheap and you can air them down when not in use. It runs 800 bucks for a wireless set. Mine is leveled with front level only. Nothing in the rear.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Yes leveling will send your lights to the sky with a load in the back. Rough country is one I know that has the front level and a rear block kit to put rake back in the rear end.

Those blocks they offer are not the best. You are better off ordering the front level and rear blocks seperate. ReadyLift and Rough Country both offer cast blocks for the trucks.

Not sure what the new trucks come with but I have the front level with 3" blocks in the rear on both my trucks. Sits very similar to a 2500 pickup.

 

 

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[Dooner]

Why would you want to "level" the truck, then add blocks to the rear end? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of "leveling" it? GM designed these trucks with a bit of a "rake" for a reason. If you're concerned with having your headlights aimed at the sky, the air bag suggestion would be your best route.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Why would you want to "level" the truck, then add blocks to the rear end? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of "leveling" it? GM designed these trucks with a bit of a "rake" for a reason. If you're concerned with having your headlights aimed at the sky, the air bag suggestion would be your best route.

 

Does it defeat the purpose, not at all if you plan on using your truck as a truck and not a grocery getter. I have both my trucks set up the same way and it works great.

Add a front leveling kit and replace the factory blocks in the rear with taller blocks, gives you complete lift kit for 2" or so. Puts some rake back into the truck and gives it a much better stance over factory. Brings it really close to how the HD's sit both front and rear.

Some guy actually remove the rear blocks to achieve the "level" look instead of lifting the front of the truck.

 

IMO it's silly to just lift the front of the truck 2" if you are going to tow/haul with it. No matter the load, the rear is going to sag, it's designed that way. Adding taller blocks allows you to haul heavy loads without the truck appearing to drag ass down the highway. Ever see an F250 with weight in the bed or towing a trailer? Looks funny and I don't want my trucks looking like that when towing.

[Dooner]

While I understand what you're saying, the OP is asking about about leveling hi

 

 

Does it defeat the purpose, not at all if you plan on using your truck as a truck and not a grocery getter. I have both my trucks set up the same way and it works great.

Add a front leveling kit and replace the factory blocks in the rear with taller blocks, gives you complete lift kit for 2" or so. Puts some rake back into the truck and gives it a much better stance over factory. Brings it really close to how the HD's sit both front and rear.

Some guy actually remove the rear blocks to achieve the "level" look instead of lifting the front of the truck.

 

IMO it's silly to just lift the front of the truck 2" if you are going to tow/haul with it. No matter the load, the rear is going to sag, it's designed that way. Adding taller blocks allows you to haul heavy loads without the truck appearing to drag ass down the highway. Ever see an F250 with weight in the bed or towing a trailer? Looks funny and I don't want my trucks looking like that when towing.

While I understand what you're saying, the OP is asking about leveling his truck. I agree with AZGMC's post on leveling the front using a kit, with air bags in the rear. Maybe I should've stated it that way in my 1st post in this thread. It would allow you to keep the leveled stance, loaded or unloaded, depending on how much psi you run in the air bags. The way you describe how you have your trucks set up sounds like you still have a nose down rake, similar to stock. That's fine if that's what you want. That would allow you to run larger then stock tires, and yes it probably levels out WITH a load, but I don't think that's what the OP is aiming for. I guess I have a grocery getter, because my truck is front end leveled, and I regularly tow a 26' (31' overall) toyhauler loaded with 120gal freshwater/40gal fuel station/22gal genny fuel/3 quads/food & gear using weight distribution bars that very closely level everything out. It works just fine for me. :-)

[ConnRadd]

Thanks for the information, very helpful input.

 

I may put the leveling kit on first, then add blocks or air to the rear if needed.

[johnhankel]

I have the ReadyLift front level and the 2.25" rear blocks. Gives me about 1" more height in back. When I tow my car trailer around a lot in the summer, I will put on Timbren overloads in the rear.. Keeps the truck pretty near level even with 500-600 pounds of tongue weight...