CAT scale axle weights for stock CCSB 4X4?

[mikeyk101]

36 minutes ago, aseibel said:

Leveling kit won't change the weight per axle in any noticeable way. I have a CCSB 5.3 4x4 LT as well.

Front: 3,400

Rear: 2,520

Combined: 5,960

(I weigh 200lbs, I don't know how much gas was in it, soft tonneau)

 

Is the problem that you are trying to fix the "nose-high" pitch when trailer is hooked up? Or are you worried about the weight on each axle when loaded? Your trailer isn't that heavy, do you know the tongue weight? I would attempt to redistribute weight on the trailer first.

 

I think having a leveling kit and then trying to run level with a trailer is a fool's errand. Why do you think pick-up trucks all come off the line with a rake? You should only be concerned that your weight is distributed properly and stop worrying about how high your front fenders are. If you want it to be "levelled" when unloaded, you're going to live with the cali-lean when you pull the trailer. But then get your headlights aimed properly

Not concerned about weight on axles, those seem to be as they should. Fenders are not high either. They are at same height whether hitched with WD or unhitched. Tongue weight is fine at between 650-700lbs. (650 as checked in driveway and 700 at scales) That is about as low as I want to go as the trailer is at around 5400 so tongue weight is around 12-13% and I don't think I should go much less. To get trailer load adjusted to allow a rise on rear of truck would cause tongue weight to probably be under a safe percentage. The only thing in trailer that might affect tongue weight would be my 1200lb trike but there isn't really any room to move it. The main weight of trike is close to over the tandem axles and it can't be moved further back and be able to close the ramp. I do understand the rake from the factory concept but I wanted 275/60R20 wheels so the level kit was needed. The biggest thing is driving after sundown. This is obviously because of the nose up (not fenders too high) when hitched. The last time towing trailer at night the headlights were aiming too high and I had plenty of folks flashing their brights at me. I could aim them so that doesn't happen when towing but most of my daily driving is without trailer and they are then going to be too low. Constantly adjusting headlight aim would be a problem.

[aseibel]

3 minutes ago, mikeyk101 said:

Constantly adjusting headlight aim would be a problem.

You created the problem when you put the levelling kit on. That should have also resulted in a realigning of your headlights at that time. So did you ever realign your lights after you got it levelled?

 

If you want to add a block to the rear so you maintain your tire clearance, then you won't be nose high when towing. But anytime you add a trailer, it will change the pitch of your truck and headlights. Modern headlights are extremely harsh to oncoming traffic when viewed below the cutoff line, as you have figured out by the number of pissed off drivers. Using a WDH to "re-level" your truck and lights is not what it is designed for. It is only meant to put a couple hundred pounds back on the front axle to help with control and keep the rear axle under its safe limit.

 

All your problems can be solved in 10 minutes with a screwdriver, tape measure and a wall in a dark parking lot.....

 

[dieselfan1]

It sounds like your only issue is the headlights.

Hook it up and go you'll be fine. If you really wanted to you could adjust them but I would just go with it. You think you are the only one with bright lights?

Any new bmw audi etc. will blind you with their low beams on just go and quit sweating it man.

My setup is similar to yours in weight.

Here's my weight ticket when I was overloaded last fall. I did put more weight on the front axle after I weighed it.

I drove 800 miles at this weight without a problem.

Remember, it's Chevy.

 

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

[mikeyk101]

2 hours ago, dieselfan1 said:

It sounds like your only issue is the headlights.

Hook it up and go you'll be fine. If you really wanted to you could adjust them but I would just go with it. You think you are the only one with bright lights?

Any new bmw audi etc. will blind you with their low beams on just go and quit sweating it man.

My setup is similar to yours in weight.

Here's my weight ticket when I was overloaded last fall. I did put more weight on the front axle after I weighed it.

I drove 800 miles at this weight without a problem.

Remember, it's Chevy.

 

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

Interesting. Your setup is very similar to mine. Here is my ticket with the weight distribution below yours.

 

I would have to say I don't think there is much more adjustments to be done so...

Edited March 29, 2021 by mikeyk101

[mikeyk101]

3 hours ago, aseibel said:

You created the problem when you put the levelling kit on. That should have also resulted in a realigning of your headlights at that time. So did you ever realign your lights after you got it levelled? Yes, that was one of the first things I did after getting the front end alignment. When not towing, they are adjusted just right.

 

If you want to add a block to the rear so you maintain your tire clearance, then you won't be nose high when towing. Ok but wouldn't 15-20 psi in air bags accomplish the same thing as a block but give me a little more flexibility? 

 

Not trying to discount what you are saying, I'm really trying to get as much info as I can to figure out which way to go.

 

Edited March 29, 2021 by mikeyk101

[dieselfan1]

Your weights look good. I would roll it like you have it. As I said I was overweight around 180 on the drive axle and my trailer was overweight too .
I was loaded down with all my daughter's stuff . I moved her from Minneapolis area to Buffalo Wyoming. Did a little vacation at the same time.

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[2018GMC]

Sumo springs are another option to reduce sag and sway. 
Available for truck and trailer 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sumo+spring+Chevy&i=automotive&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Edited March 30, 2021 by 2018GMC

[mikeyk101]

1 hour ago, 2018GMC said:

Sumo springs are another option to reduce sag and sway. 
Available for truck and trailer 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sumo+spring+Chevy&i=automotive&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

True, I have seen a lot of good things about them but I already have the Air Lift 5000 bags.I picked them up as an open box complete for a fraction of new. I think I now have enough info to make the decision to install them. 

[truckguy82]

Lol at air bags being the same a block

 

an airbag is a spring, it gives you adjustable spring rates

 

a block does nothing other than change the pitch

 

aftermarket springs are a poor option unless you have that trailer on the back 24/7. You can’t design a spring that does does a good job supporting 2000lbs one day and 3500lbs the next. That’s where adjustable springs come in.

 

air bags exactly are what you need to accommodate large swings in weight.

 

the perfect truck = Soft springs + air bags + adjustable shocks. Comfy and safe unloaded or loaded

 

instead we get a truck that rides like ass unloaded

 

Edited March 30, 2021 by truckguy82

[truckguy82]

In regards to the headlights, I’m surprised nobody has 3d printed an in cabin adjuster. Just like a thing that attaches to top of headlight with a little servo and phillips head to adjust the beam height in the cabin. Hell if you want to get real fancy have a gyroscope so they can auto adjust.

[mikeyk101]

So I decided to also reach out to Equal-Izer to get their thoughts. When describing what is happening, I was told to go through the adjustment process again and that I needed more weight going to front axle. That would seem like the logical answer. But then on my next response, I sent a copy of the CAT scale ticket and their response on that was that I am within the specifications which I pretty much figured and others here have agreed with. I then asked for their thoughts to eliminate or at least reduce the sag. I mentioned the Air Lift bags I have. I am waiting to see what their response will be and will update when I get it. I am just guessing but I think it will probably agree with other responses on here that it is probably going to help. 

 

I apologize and it may seem to a few that I'm not listening to your responses because I tend to experience a bit of OCD and try to get as much confirmation before I do stuff like this. But I'm pretty confident that this is going to get solved. 

[mikeyk101]

Ok, now I have confirmation from Equal-izer. Here is their response:

 

The hitch isn't designed to take out all of the sag in the rear end. 2" of sag is totally normal and acceptable. Do get rid of the sag beyond that you would get air bags.
 

So now I know the next step...

[aseibel]

1 hour ago, mikeyk101 said:

So now I know the next step...

Yes, it is totally normal and acceptable to have a bit of sag when towing. You are trying to make your truck do something that isn't really intended. (raise the front end and have a rear that doesn't sag under load) so you have the option to modify your truck to fit your wants. Airbags will do that. Not how I would handle it, but at least you won't be blinding oncoming drivers anymore.

 

At the end of the day, is it really saving you any work to inflate and deflate the airbags each time you tow, instead of adjust your headlights to the proper angle.....?

[mikeyk101]

4 hours ago, aseibel said:

Yes, it is totally normal and acceptable to have a bit of sag when towing. You are trying to make your truck do something that isn't really intended. (raise the front end and have a rear that doesn't sag under load) so you have the option to modify your truck to fit your wants. Airbags will do that. Not how I would handle it, but at least you won't be blinding oncoming drivers anymore.

 

At the end of the day, is it really saving you any work to inflate and deflate the airbags each time you tow, instead of adjust your headlights to the proper angle.....?

 

I would have to say yes. It will only takes a second to attach my portable air inflator to the air bag valves and it also has an air gauge on it. After doing it and getting it where I want, I would just have to inflate it to the same pressure which I will figure out by the first time I do it. And then after unhitching, I just need to let the air out back to 5psi.

 

In order to adjust the headlights each time, I would have to find a flat level spot and be about 20 feet from a wall. I would need a tape measure to do it right. And then when I unhitch, I would have to do it again.

[mikeyk101]

5 hours ago, aseibel said:

Yes, it is totally normal and acceptable to have a bit of sag when towing. You are trying to make your truck do something that isn't really intended. (raise the front end and have a rear that doesn't sag under load) so you have the option to modify your truck to fit your wants. Airbags will do that. Not how I would handle it, but at least you won't be blinding oncoming drivers anymore.

 

At the end of the day, is it really saving you any work to inflate and deflate the airbags each time you tow, instead of adjust your headlights to the proper angle.....?

And what about when I go to a campground in the late afternoon when sun is setting and drop the trailer.  Then I decide to go to dinner and now have to drive down some dark country roads known for lots of deer? Where am I going to find a level spot 20 feet from a wall? With the airbags, I just drop them back to 5psi and I'm good. 

 

Leveling a truck isn't your thing, I get that. It was important for me though. And I don't see leveling as "causing a problem" but rather customizing it for my needs. And leveling is probably one of the most conservative ways to be able to do what I wanted. But the sag does cause other issues. Because it ends up with the tail low, it can catch more wind underneath creating drag besides the headlights pointing to high. After this thread and many other threads I've come across including reaching out to a very well know maker of weight distribution hitches, I've discovered that going with air bags is perfectly acceptable solution to this and nothing wrong with doing it. I understand that it's not how you would do but surprisingly I'm seeing that many do it and have good results doing it. 

 

So I guess you do you and I will do me. Take care...