Just take your time and do a real good set-up on whatever hitch you use...
Towing upgrades - Any suggestions
Well the stars all aligned this weekend and we made two big purchases. First I found a buyer for my '06 titan and I upgraded to an '08.5 LE LWB 4x4 with big tow.
The same day we also found a screaming deal on a 'new' trailer (sold our old '92 trailer a couple of weeks ago). We ended up getting an '09 Kingsport 295 QB. This trailer is longer than I was hoping to get, but the LWB Titan should help. The GVWR rating on the trailer is 7950 lbs. ('dry' is around 6000). List on the trailer is $20k and we got it for $12.9k. Cheapest I could find one anywhere in the country is over $15k, and this is brand new, just an older model year.
Anyway, this set up is quite a bit different than my short wheelbase titan and the 24' trailer (though trailer weight isn't a LOT different). My biggest worry is the length of the trailer. Any suggestions?? I do have an Equalizer brand hitch that is rated for 12k lbs, and the dealership is going to set it up properly for the trailer, so I should be good to go there.
I hope to take a photo or two later this week when I take delivery of the trailer and will post it to that other thread soon.
The same day we also found a screaming deal on a 'new' trailer (sold our old '92 trailer a couple of weeks ago). We ended up getting an '09 Kingsport 295 QB. This trailer is longer than I was hoping to get, but the LWB Titan should help. The GVWR rating on the trailer is 7950 lbs. ('dry' is around 6000). List on the trailer is $20k and we got it for $12.9k. Cheapest I could find one anywhere in the country is over $15k, and this is brand new, just an older model year.
Anyway, this set up is quite a bit different than my short wheelbase titan and the 24' trailer (though trailer weight isn't a LOT different). My biggest worry is the length of the trailer. Any suggestions?? I do have an Equalizer brand hitch that is rated for 12k lbs, and the dealership is going to set it up properly for the trailer, so I should be good to go there.
I hope to take a photo or two later this week when I take delivery of the trailer and will post it to that other thread soon.
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The dealership is going to set the hitch up for me and adjust it correctly, so I'm not worried about that part. Just want to make sure that, with a trailer that long, the 'tail doesn't start wagging the dog'.Just take your time and do a real good set-up on whatever hitch you use...
I also want to make sure I don't overwork the truck as it is a bit heavier than my old one, but I've seen people on here towing heavier.
Maybe look at a friction sway-bar.
I only have a 24' trailer but I put one one. "Elmer the Safety Elephant" moment I guess - but I'm not concerned about swaying anymore.
I only have a 24' trailer but I put one one. "Elmer the Safety Elephant" moment I guess - but I'm not concerned about swaying anymore.
Yeah, I'm ok that way. The equalizer brand hitch does both weight distribution AND sway control. Heading to the dealership today to pick up the trailer and have the equalizer properly adjusted to match the truck and trailer.Maybe look at a friction sway-bar.
I only have a 24' trailer but I put one one. "Elmer the Safety Elephant" moment I guess - but I'm not concerned about swaying anymore.
Something that could also help with sway is Airbags and better tires.
I would never trust a trailer dealer to setup anything properly. Make sure you have the equalizer instructions with you and verify all the numbers yourself.Yeah, I'm ok that way. The equalizer brand hitch does both weight distribution AND sway control. Heading to the dealership today to pick up the trailer and have the equalizer properly adjusted to match the truck and trailer.
depends on the dealer ...I would never trust a trailer dealer to setup anything properly. Make sure you have the equalizer instructions with you and verify all the numbers yourself.
Ok, so I brought the trailer home. It is a load, but towed ok. However, the back-end of the truck is down quite a ways. Nearly bottomed out. So about the airbags......what is the best brand to get and where is the best place to get them? How much can I expect to spend? Part numbers would help as well. How hard are they to install? I'm thinking I will be doing this during this week.Something that could also help with sway is Airbags and better tires.
Some like Firestone air bags but I dont ...
I have Airlift air bags and if you are technical and have a battery drill this should be easy.
I got mine form Summit but PRG has them as well. (PRG) is a sponsor and knows his stuff (his name is Greg).
Link: Air Lift 59554 - Air Lift Ride Control Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
I also have the compressor and gauge: Air Lift 25592 - Air Lift Load Controller II Systems - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Enjoy
I have Airlift air bags and if you are technical and have a battery drill this should be easy.
I got mine form Summit but PRG has them as well. (PRG) is a sponsor and knows his stuff (his name is Greg).
Link: Air Lift 59554 - Air Lift Ride Control Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
I also have the compressor and gauge: Air Lift 25592 - Air Lift Load Controller II Systems - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Enjoy
Some like Firestone air bags but I dont ...
I have Airlift air bags and if you are technical and have a battery drill this should be easy.
I got mine form Summit but PRG has them as well. (PRG) is a sponsor and knows his stuff (his name is Greg).
Link: Air Lift 59554 - Air Lift Ride Control Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
I also have the compressor and gauge: Air Lift 25592 - Air Lift Load Controller II Systems - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Enjoy
So what is the difference between the two brands? Why do you like the one over the other?
I noticed one post said the ride with the firestones was worse when not towing. Couldn't you just air down the bags and the ride should be the same as it was without them?
You must keep a minimum of 5psi in the firestones at all times. To be honest though, they ride the same anywhere between 5 and 15 psi anyways. I can't really tell much of a difference personally, but then again I'm used to driving a DSM with stiff suspension and urethane bushings lol. I do primarily drived paved surface except during hunting season though, so maybe someone else who lives on gravel ect may have more input to the "actual" ride difference.So what is the difference between the two brands? Why do you like the one over the other?
I noticed one post said the ride with the firestones was worse when not towing. Couldn't you just air down the bags and the ride should be the same as it was without them?
Just want to add that with a trailer of that size and weight, you shouldn't be sagging that much. I suspect you don't have enough preload in the hitch bars.
The equalizer hitch should be able to help you a lot with the sagging a$$ end. Airbags or RAS might work too, but make sure the dealer used all the washer they could on your hitch, and that the torsion bars (the bars that go from hitch to the Lbrackets on the trailer) are maxed out.
Yeah, your hitch is not set up correctly Truck and trailer should be level. I can be within 1/4" of level front and rear of the truck with our heavier 24'. Only have weight distribution, no anti-sway and we don't get sway with our 24'.
Dang. Wish I knew someone out here that could set it up correctly. This was set up by the dealership, but if they are really that far off, I really don't want to take it back to them and have them 'adjust' it.
I have my trailer set correctly, I did this myself and I understand how to do it. I will tell you the 40PSI in the bags helps a lot. At 40PSI I gain ~ 3 inches of lift and then every 5 PSI I get about 1/2 inch.
Why Airlift: I have both Firestone and Airlift. Airlift makes the ride better, even when you don't have a load, just air them down to between 9-10 PSI. Firestone you need to have some extra weight in the bed of the truck all the time, or the ride is crappy. The Firestone bags are good, don't get me wrong, but I would not want them on a daily driver!
I think the reason for the above is the placement of the bags.
Why Airlift: I have both Firestone and Airlift. Airlift makes the ride better, even when you don't have a load, just air them down to between 9-10 PSI. Firestone you need to have some extra weight in the bed of the truck all the time, or the ride is crappy. The Firestone bags are good, don't get me wrong, but I would not want them on a daily driver!
I think the reason for the above is the placement of the bags.
I have my trailer set correctly, I did this myself and I understand how to do it. I will tell you the 40PSI in the bags helps a lot. At 40PSI I gain ~ 3 inches of lift and then every 5 PSI I get about 1/2 inch.
Why Airlift: I have both Firestone and Airlift. Airlift makes the ride better, even when you don't have a load, just air them down to between 9-10 PSI. Firestone you need to have some extra weight in the bed of the truck all the time, or the ride is crappy. The Firestone bags are good, don't get me wrong, but I would not want them on a daily driver!
I think the reason for the above is the placement of the bags.
Well if you were out here in Utah I might have to hire you to set up the equalizer and airbags.
If the back of your T is riding that low with the trailer hooked up, then the hitch isn't set up correctly. Absent a heavy payload in the bed, you shouldn't need airbags if the the hitch is set up right.
I'm pulling a 32 ft trailer. The only mods to my Titan are LT tires and a Roadmaster Active Suspension. It has towed very well in the 2K miles I've towed so far.
I'm pulling a 32 ft trailer. The only mods to my Titan are LT tires and a Roadmaster Active Suspension. It has towed very well in the 2K miles I've towed so far.
You shouldn't need airbags with that trailer. Like I mentioned above, read the equalizer instructions and work through all the steps to setup your hitch. Its not difficult. I was able to set mine up perfectly in about an hour or two.Ok, so I brought the trailer home. It is a load, but towed ok. However, the back-end of the truck is down quite a ways. Nearly bottomed out. So about the airbags......what is the best brand to get and where is the best place to get them? How much can I expect to spend? Part numbers would help as well. How hard are they to install? I'm thinking I will be doing this during this week.
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