Truck Is Sagging!

[jimbau]

...............just trying to find out guys if it is normal for my truck ('07 NBS Crew Cab 4x4 Z71) to sag in the rear with a 5300 pound boat/load hooked to it. It seems as though this shouldn't be normal and there is a lot of tongue wait on the boat/trailer. Thanks for any and all advice.

 

James

[dietz4ibanez]

I would say that would be normal! Boats are usually pretty heavy on the tongue and you can guess that there is a lot of weigh to the tongue so yeah it will sag a little. The only thing that you can really do about is add helper springs which I dont like or air bag shocks like a semi which I would recommend!

[pwall]

What about using a weight-distribution hitch ? I don't recall ever noticing a boat trailer with a WDH, makes me wonder why not ??

[nbscanuck]

both the distribution hitch and the air bags will help. the hitch will help with the tail wagging the dog syndrome and the bags will help with ANY heavy load.

[thunder219]

I had the same problem pulling my boat so I went with a set of bags. They where a set of firestones rated to 5000 pounds for around $220.00. I dont think you could use a wd hitch because of the brakes on the trailer. My last two boats the coupler moved in and out for the brakes to work.

[jimbau]

I had the same problem pulling my boat so I went with a set of bags. They where a set of firestones rated to 5000 pounds for around $220.00. I dont think you could use a wd hitch because of the brakes on the trailer. My last two boats the coupler moved in and out for the brakes to work.

 

 

Ok guys, so not knowing anything about the air bags, where would be a good place to look and how involved is the install on this? Again, thanks for all the info.

[dietz4ibanez]

jegs has them I know for sure!

[thunder219]

I bought a set of firestones from a place in town that sell semi parts. He said that he likes these better than the air rite brand. I dont know why but I didnt know either way so I took his advise on it. They where not hard to put on and req. no drilling which was a plus. The biggest problem I had doing mine was I done it in the middle of winter and all the snow and ice packed under the bed just making it a mess. I used a buddies car lift and I think it would have alot easier to just do it on the floor. Took less than an hour to put them on.

 

http://www.fsip.com/pdfs/RR/installationma...30/rrin2430.pdf

[thunder219]

Also on whatever bags you buy, you will have to take the bump stops off which is a 10 mm bolt. It also has a 10mm head on it. I was ready to cut mine off because you cant see up there and couldnt find a socket to fit bacause i thought it was bigger than it really was.