Shock Recommendations for Towing???

2003 SSEi · November 1, 2019

Been doing a lot of reading on here about the different shocks available for the K2xx. Does anyone have any recommendations specifically for towing. My truck with the trailer and now I have been noticing with out the trailer, is developing a pogo in the front over large bumps in the road. It feels as the stock ranchos (I know they are terrible) don't have the controlled rebound after they are compressed over the bumps. The Truck does not see any off road at all so all im really looking for is the dampening and control with and with out the trailer on. I have a set of Hellwig Helpers in the rear so its a little stiffer than the stock ride, and I believe could benefit from a shock upgrade also

In guessing the Bilstein are the way to go these days?? or something else??

1SLOW1500 · November 1, 2019

Need a little rake and a helper bag and it will ride better then it does with no trailer.

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2003 SSEi · November 2, 2019

2 hours ago, 1SLOW1500 said:

Need a little rake and a helper bag and it will ride better then it does with no trailer.

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I have a set of the Hellwig Pro Series in the rear if that makes a difference

Jacoby · November 2, 2019

You don’t need bags.

since you don’t see Offroad any shock will serve you well from a Monroe stock replacement to Bilsteins and everything in between.

1SLOW1500 · November 2, 2019

I have a set of the Hellwig Pro Series in the rear if that makes a difference

Sway bar helps but not the same way a bag does. The truck seesaw attack the truck sees as you drive down the road. The weight in the rear causes this. The bag being near the axle and between the front wheel and the trailer slows the bouncy out. Watch a video of the before and after with a bag and you can see on the same bump the amount of travel is reduced and it stops quicker. This was the issue he stated that its like a pogo.
Send a message to etrailer and they will say the same. Swaybar can even up the side to side load for uneven load. Much as a trailer anti swaybar helps on expressway speeds the trailer from swaying. But the does nothing for the bounce.

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flyingfool · November 2, 2019

i think if the front pogos while towing, you might have too much hitch weight, which is taking weight off the front of the truck, out of balance weight transfer, same thing can happen if the trailer is very light on the hitch causing to lift the rear, you might need to go into trailer and transfer weight around , maybe put a scale on the trailer hitch to check ball weight

should also be noted that our factory shocks run like shit if you have 20-22" rims, your wheels will not dampen when you hit bumps in the road, gotta switch to the 17" work truck rim or get the 18" z71 rim

i dont like airbags , due to leaks and accesories needed, would like to try sumo springs for the rear one day

Donstar · November 2, 2019

What are the payload and towing capacity of your truck and the tongue weight and GVWR of your trailer? If you are within specifications, a properly setup weight distribution/anti sway hitch system will be all that you need. If shocks or other parts are worn out, replace them with equivalent or better than oem. Aftermarket parts designed to "improve" towing will not change your GCVWR and do little for the 98% of your non-towing driving.

2003 SSEi · November 5, 2019

On 11/2/2019 at 12:18 PM, flyingfool said:

i think if the front pogos while towing, you might have too much hitch weight, which is taking weight off the front of the truck, out of balance weight transfer, same thing can happen if the trailer is very light on the hitch causing to lift the rear, you might need to go into trailer and transfer weight around , maybe put a scale on the trailer hitch to check ball weight

On 11/2/2019 at 2:30 PM, Donstar said:

What are the payload and towing capacity of your truck and the tongue weight and GVWR of your trailer? If you are within specifications, a properly setup weight distribution/anti sway hitch system will be all that you need.

I have a Equalizer 4 point WDH setup when the trailer is attached, Well within the towing capacities, The Trailer, car and stuff are about 8,500lbs.

Donstar · November 5, 2019

12 hours ago, 2003 SSEi said:

I have a Equalizer 4 point WDH setup when the trailer is attached, Well within the towing capacities, The Trailer, car and stuff are about 8,500lbs.

8,500 lbs. is a heavy load but when properly setup should be a comfortable tow. Any auto service centre can confirm whether your shocks are worn out. Replace them if necessary but don't be disappointed if your towing problem isn't resolved. An improper setup will still bounce you around. I pull a 7,000 lb. TT and towed it for ahile with a poorly setup WD hitch. I bounced! I had some adjustments made and now I have to check the rear view mirror to confirm my trailer is still there. I suspect it would be more difficult to maintain a consistent hitch weight with a car hauler so keeping your WD system working at its best will also be difficult. With an 8-9K lb trailer you don't have a lot of room between exceeding your truck's payload and not having enough tongue weight. I have attached a link to an area of this forum where you'll find some good reading. You will find, like me, that doing it correctly rather than spending more money will give better results.

https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/forum/151-trailers-hitches-towing/