weak suspension

[painter mann]

i have an 2004 silverado, extended cab, 2 wd. v-6, it has smooth ride suspension.

 

i also have well built ( probably heavy ) adrian steel ladder rack & tool box,

 

truck paper work says 5000 lb. pulling capacity. even with light trailer truck squats,

 

( what i consider too much )

 

my question is: what should i do to prevent ruining smooth ride suspension?

 

what product wil prevent squatting & bouncing with moderate load.

 

without lifting rear when empty.

 

thanks, ron

[921500Z71]

On my Dad's 99 Z71 Sierra he put 5,000# airbags. He installed them in a day and ran lines and valve stems to either side of the hitch and bolted them on there. Instead of installing a compressor he just carries a bubble of air in the bed and airs up when needed. I have put my truck behind it on a trailer before and after the bags and before the bags my dads ball was probably 6 inches from the ground and after the bags we aired them up to 60 psi and the truck sat level with my truck on the trailer. 1000 times better than before. He has had them on for a year and runs 5-10 psi unloaded and the ride never suffered. Great way to get rid of the rear end sag in my opinion. Hope this helps

[itsclay11]

helper air bags...they do wonders...i know plenty of people that have them...from hauling fifth wheels to hauling everyday work related stuff in the bed.

[DayUSeX]

wow this sounds like just what i need,

but im wondering can i just buy the bags or do i need to buy more to go witht hem??

[itsclay11]

well you will need the bags, the hardware to mount the bags(from the side of the frame to the top of your leaf spring and also air lines....usually ran to the rear by the license plate or by the gas cap. here is a website and i also added an image of what it looks like

 

firestone ride rite helper bags

 

[DayUSeX]

well i know they sell the kits, but they also sell the air ride control kits, do i need that as well?