Community Forums

pappapump13 · 08-20-2013, 02:58 PM

So I have a weight distribution hitch and I recently put airbags on my truck my brother in law tells me you don't need to use the tension bars anymore because of the airbags is this true?

trackman · 08-20-2013, 04:17 PM

Air bags are just that " air bags". If you have the weight distribution I would use it also. Just a safety measure in case of Air Bag failure

NFlcamper · 08-20-2013, 06:41 PM

Air bags "LIFT" the rear.
WDH distribute weight back to the front axle of the tow vehicle.
2 different events.
Adjustment of WDH is probably different with airbags as without them. Air bags will keep some bounce from occuring as they prevent the trucks rear from dipping as low. I'd adjust the WDH with the PSI in the bags you are gonna use to tow with.

pappapump13 · 08-21-2013, 12:07 AM

Sounds great to me I feel more comfortable with both anyways so that's how I'm going to use it

SmokeyWren · 08-21-2013, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappapump13

Sounds great to me I feel more comfortable with both anyways so that's how I'm going to use it

Good idea.

To set it up, deflate the air bags and adjust the hitch so that about 25% of the total hitch weight is distributed to the front axle of the TV, another 25% of the total hitch weight is distributed back to he trailer axles, and about 50% of the total hitch weight remains on the rear axle of the TV. Then air up the bags with only enough air to take the slack out of the rear suspension. If the rear end of the TV still sags some, then add more air to the bags to achieve the unloaded stance of the TV, so the headlights are pointing down the road and not up at the stars.

arveer · 08-21-2013, 08:05 AM

I tow a TT and have just ordered the air bags for my pick-up (had them on my last truck). I just like to have control of the rear sag and if I add more weight to the bed while towing.

pappapump13 · 08-21-2013, 10:51 PM

Thanks smokey

TXiceman · 08-22-2013, 10:50 AM

Smokey has it right. Next issue to not listen to the idiot brother in law.

Ken

pappapump13 · 08-22-2013, 11:18 AM

Yes I agree not gonna listen to him

Zogg · 08-28-2013, 05:50 AM

I had a GMC HD2500 to pull our new TT....first time for me towing. The dealer set up the WD hitch and it porpoised like crazy. Several folks said to buy the air bags, so I did. Then it bounced like a basketball, and rode like crap unloaded....with 5# of air unloaded it was like a rigid frame harley.....my back hurt all the time.

Finally, I met a guy that set me straight. I took off the air bags and tightened up the chains in the hitch to level the truck.....big improvement and no more porpoising. The dealer just did enough to get me off his lot...jerk.

Fortunately, airlift had a 90 day return policy, and graciously took them back for a full refund....just did not work for me. I think they would be good for a 5th wheel due to tje pin weight, but for a TT, the properly set up hitch is the better solution, imo.

Joe N · 09-04-2013, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zogg

I had a GMC HD2500 to pull our new TT....first time for me towing. The dealer set up the WD hitch and it porpoised like crazy. Several folks said to buy the air bags, so I did. Then it bounced like a basketball, and rode like crap unloaded....with 5# of air unloaded it was like a rigid frame harley.....my back hurt all the time.

Finally, I met a guy that set me straight. I took off the air bags and tightened up the chains in the hitch to level the truck.....big improvement and no more porpoising. The dealer just did enough to get me off his lot...jerk.

Fortunately, airlift had a 90 day return policy, and graciously took them back for a full refund....just did not work for me. I think they would be good for a 5th wheel due to tje pin weight, but for a TT, the properly set up hitch is the better solution, imo.

I have airbags on my truck and was about to take them off also because my truck was bouncing also. I did two things, the rv dealer increased the angle of the Equilizer hitch and I decreased the air pressure in the air bags to 14lbs and it worked like a dream. To date I have had no more problems.