Best Rear Spring Solution for Cherokee Tow Vehicle?

[bobinyelm]

I am equipping my '01 4WD Jeep Cherokee to tow my 3200 pound Casita TT. It has a 5000lb recommended tow rating.

I'd like to build in a little more "rear spring*" even though I will be towing w/ a WDH. Mostly, I want to ensure the TV stays level, and don't want to add an abusive ride when not towing. I want to limit my non-tow rear height rise to 2" or less.

I have the choice of:

1)An add-a-leaf for my springs (raises rear 1.5"-2")
2) Monroe shocks that come w/ coil helper springs already installed.
3) Monroe AIR shocks that can be inflated/deflated as necessary.
4) Spring Spacer blocks (2") that mount between the leaf spring pack and the axle.

Of the above solutions, #s 3 and 4 promise the advantage of not increasing the spring rate (inches of spring deflection per pound of weight increase).

I welcome comments from anyone who has used any of the above methods on ANY tow vehicle.

Thanks,
Bob
*Not necessarily a higher spring rate, but to level the tug out.

[bobinyelm]

I am equipping my '01 4WD Jeep Cherokee to tow my 3200 pound Casita TT. It has a 5000lb recommended tow rating.

I'd like to build in a little more "rear spring*" even though I will be towing w/ a WDH. Mostly, I want to ensure the TV stays level, and don't want to add an abusive ride when not towing. I want to limit my non-tow rear height rise to 2" or less.

I have the choice of:

1)An add-a-leaf for my springs (raises rear 1.5"-2")
2) Monroe shocks that come w/ coil helper springs already installed.
3) Monroe AIR shocks that can be inflated/deflated as necessary.
4) Spring Spacer blocks (2") that mount between the leaf spring pack and the axle.

Of the above solutions, #s 3 and 4 promise the advantage of not increasing the spring rate (inches of spring deflection per pound of weight increase).

I welcome comments from anyone who has used any of the above methods on ANY tow vehicle.

Thanks,
Bob
*Not necessarily a higher spring rate, but to level the tug out.

[RustyJC]

I used air shocks on a 1990 AWD Aerostar that we used to pull a heavy pop-up and was satisfied with their loaded/unloaded adjustability.

Rusty

[Sunny]

I would go with door # 3
I do not see where number 4 would help anything.

Tom

[xc-mark]

I would see if firestone or airlift makes a air bag kit for your jeep. Air bags will still give you a factory ride.

[bobinyelm]

Thanks all, so far.

I'd love to go air bags, which are available for about $200 (because of leaf springs), but I am trying to cheap-out to get acceptable results. Not admirable, but a fact of life.

So far, the air shocks have the nod over other methods, though I am not sure they hold air long-term, or need to be re-adjusted daily/weekly/monthly?

Keep the replies coming please.

Bob

[RustyJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bobinyelm:
So far, the air shocks have the nod over other methods, though I am not sure they hold air long-term, or need to be re-adjusted daily/weekly/monthly? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I had our air shocks plumbed to a common Schrader valve on the rear bumper next to the license plate, so airing them up or down was easy. Leakdown wasn't a problem.

The air bags are probably a more robust solution if you can find some for your application, but most bags require a minimal inflation pressure at all times - this can stiffen the spring rate of an unloaded vehicle slightly as compared to no airbags at all.

If you can get bags for $200, I'm not sure that air shocks are going to be much, if any, less expensive.

Rusty

[bobinyelm]

I need shocks also, so while the air bags are undountedly a superior product, I might give the air shocks a go to start at least. If I go to bags at some point, at least I will have the air plumbing in place. Rock Air.com has them at what seems like a reasonable price (see listing below).

I buy a lot of parts from them, and they have been a good, reasonably priced source so far.

Regards,
Bob


MONROE Part # MA765 {Max Air Shock Absorbers / Packed in pairs / Includes air line, air fittings, and air fill kit where applicable.}
REAR; (XJ Chassis); Exc.Grand Cherokee; For Towing and Hauling More Info
$62.79 $0.00 $62.79

[bobinyelm]

Thanks for all your inputs and suggestions.

I just ordered:
2 Monro Sensa-Trac front shocks
and
2 Rear Monroe Maxx-Air (air) shocks
for the rear of my Cherokee.

Complete cost for all 4 w/ shipping from Rock Auto : $138.00

We'll see how they work.

Thanks,
Bob