? for all those who tow the 20+ trailers - Page 2

TitanHauler · 03-19-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cttitan

If you use big enough bars it will!! If you use 1200# bars they will handle anything a Titan can tow. Reese has a hitch with 1700# bars.

I must respectfully disagree. I run a Reese style setup with 1400# Bars and I could cinch my chains up to the upper links and still never keep the truck at stock height in the rear under full tongue weight. A weight distributing hitch is not capable of distributing EQUAL weight to all axles as it just simply does not have the leverage in a 3 foot bar. In order to distribute equal weight your bars would need anchor points further to the middle of the both the truck and trailer chassis. It is designed to distribute a PORTION of the weight over all axles allowing the truck and trailer to act more like one unit to improve handling. If you don't believe me, go to a scale and perform the following exercise. Weigh the following:

- Front Axle of truck with trailer attached. (No distribution bars)
- Rear Axle of the truck with trailer attached. (No distribution bars)
- Both Axles of the trailer with truck attached. (No distribution bars)
- Tongue weight of the trailer disconnected from the truck.

Then Weigh:

- Front Axle of the truck with trailer attached (With distribution bars)
- Rear Axle of the truck with trailer attached (With distribution bars)
- Both Axles of the trailer with truck attached. (With distribution bars)

I guarantee the difference in your rear axle truck weight will be only a small change (roughly 10% - 15% of tongue weight) while the front truck axle and trailer axles will see only a small amount of additional weight. (roughly 5% - 10% of the actual tongue weight of the trailer)

Check out my truck and trailer a few posts back in this thread. My weight distribution hitch is setup properly and functions well considering the weight of my trailer. But, it doesn't come close to leveling my truck.

Baja170 · 03-22-2005, 12:32 PM

I agree with TitanHauler. I have the Reese 1400# setup and with my 28' Toy Hauler and it will raise my Titan about an inch or so if I go up 4 links in the chain. I am still over 2-3 inches of squatted which I don't like.

I am still looking for an answer.....

TitanHauler · 03-22-2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja170

I agree with TitanHauler. I have the Reese 1400# setup and with my 28' Toy Hauler and it will raise my Titan about an inch or so if I go up 4 links in the chain. I am still over 2-3 inches of squatted which I don't like.

I am still looking for an answer.....

Airbags my brother! The answer to your problems. Now if Firestone would just re-release the damn things we would see our squat disappear.

I have had them on order for over 2 months now and they keep pushing the release date back. They did release them sometime last year but their were some fitment issues so they recalled the whole mess of them. Airlift Company has a kit out for the 4X4 but not 4X2. If you have a 4X4 you might look into them. I prefer the Firestone kit though because it will be completely bolt-on (no drilling the frame) and the airbags are more heavy duty.

Got any photos of that 28' beast behind your Titan? Man I thought I was pushing the limit.

9second750 · 03-22-2005, 05:22 PM

Here is my friends 30ft boat that we use my truck to pull.(sorry about the pic, its from my phone). Its doesn't squat to much but it levels the truck. Can someone explain to be how the WD hitch works. I have seen them and know what they look like but I have never used one.

t j derr · 03-22-2005, 07:25 PM

I have a 30' Award at 6200#. KC 2x w/off road & big tow. my rear end is still up in air (no pun). It drops 3 ". The reese does move 10% of weight & was in stalled at trailer factory. A reese sway bar and away I go 65-70mph no problemo....except at gas pump. I'm going to drop to 60 this summer.

greasy · 03-22-2005, 07:52 PM

MYTITAN, those are the same air bags that I installed on my truck. I inflate them to 90 psi when towing my 28', 8700 lb. boat and keep them at 20 psi when not towing. They are awesome!

Toolslinger · 03-28-2005, 10:39 PM

[quote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanHauler

What air bags did you use???? I have had the Firestone Ride-Rite Kit on order for almost 2 months now and Firestone keeps pushing back the Re-release date. Here is my toad.

I went to a custom shop and they put together the set for me. I have an on board compressor as well as a small air tank. They put a switch on the left side dash and a gauge that looks factory installed on the right. Being custom made it wasn't cheap. The air bags are rated at 2100 lbs each so combined it is 4200 lb. I wouldn't suggest loading it to the max other than for a VERY short trip. It levels quickly with the push of a switch. They said to always keep 10-20 lbs in the bags when not needed for a load.

Toolslinger · 03-28-2005, 11:02 PM

[quote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanHauler

I must respectfully disagree. I run a Reese style setup with 1400# Bars and I could cinch my chains up to the upper links and still never keep the truck at stock height in the rear under full tongue weight. A weight distributing hitch is not capable of distributing EQUAL weight to all axles as it just simply does not have the leverage in a 3 foot bar. In order to distribute equal weight your bars would need anchor points further to the middle of the both the truck and trailer chassis. It is designed to distribute a PORTION of the weight over all axles allowing the truck and trailer to act more like one unit to improve handling

.

There is a trick to using weight distribution bars. I have seen photos of TV and trailer with the rear tires removed from TV and it sat level. To properly stress the bars, you must run the hitch jack, connected to the hitch, to it's highest point, then connect the chains. When you lower it down, the truck will set level or even high in back depending on which link you use. If you have too much weight on the hitch the excess over your 1/2 ton rating will cause a very rough ride. The rating of the bars should be close to the expected tongue weight.

For further research on towing see: rvtowingtips.com/

hkusp45 · 04-08-2005, 04:43 AM

any word on the firestone bags??

TitanHauler · 04-08-2005, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkusp45

any word on the firestone bags??

Zero Word.

I need to call them . . .

hkusp45 · 04-09-2005, 06:36 AM

They need to get on the ball!!!!

Justintoxicated · 04-14-2005, 09:34 PM

I don't get much squad towing 1 quad on a trailer, maybe 1/2 inch at most.

So how does the airlift work and is it easy to install? Im getting a WDH for a 21 foot trailer but I dunno if that alone will be enough

Baja170 · 04-20-2005, 01:29 PM

Sorry Titan Hauler, I have not been back for a few weeks. I have got to do something. My truck squats TO DAMN Much! I have a pic of the camper, but not attached to the truck. That onboard stuff sounds great, how much did that cost?

I have the 4x4 CC Titan, and I am definitely interested in teh bags. Did anyone successfully get them yet?

Thanks in advance for the info!!

Will

QWIKWHIP · 04-20-2005, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justintoxicated

I don't get much squad towing 1 quad on a trailer, maybe 1/2 inch at most.

So how does the airlift work and is it easy to install? Im getting a WDH for a 21 foot trailer but I dunno if that alone will be enough

For a 21 footer you may not need anything other than the w/d bars. My camper is 19' and the tongue is about 420 pounds. Here's a pic of how she sits. It doesn't even phase my truck!

The sag is literally a 1/4". As a matter of fact, now with the PRG lift on I have to get a new drop bar so I can level the camper.