Apollo99 wrote: I know to keep the TT as level as possible (maybe nose down abit). My question is refering to the attitude of the TV. Level OR ass end raised to match the unloaded attitude?
What kind of WD system do you have? For the equal-i-zer hitch, their instructions tell us to have the rear squat a bit...somewhere between uncoupled height and coupled height (but no weight distribution bars attached yet. The same goes for the front end.
What does your manual say? I know things have changed with the new trucks. Used to be you want the ride hieghts to be as close to original. With my 2010 F150, Ford is now recomending that the front be 1/2 way or less from unloaded to loaded. In other words if you have 38" unloaded and 40" loaded you should be 39" or less but no more than 38" when loaded. The back can be 1-1/2" lower than stock. I would look in your manual as the new trucks have different guidelines.
Apollo99 wrote: I have a 2012 Ram 1500 Big Horn CC TV. I tow a 7150 lb 29' TT with 850 lb TW using Reese WD Dual Cams and rear Air Lift 1000 air bags (to compensate for mushy rear coil springs in Ram). What is the safest recommended towing attitude of the TV? I can adjust for a level TV resulting in nearly a 2" squat compared to the unloaded attitude. OR I can raise the rear resulting in an attitude nearly identical to unloaded attitude. In both cases, the WDs are adjusted so front height is same as unloaded. Any recommendations?
"Mushy Rear Coils"......I have waited to hear from a Poster re. the 09 onwards Ram 1500 rear coils!
I am considering a brand new 1500 TV for 2013 season?
My 'signature' TV with factory Max Tow package is rated to pull 10,500lbs (as per Driver's Handbook).
How is your TV working out please?
I run a 2011 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4X4 Hemi-Towing a approx 25 foot KZ Coyote CL 232SS. WITH the WD bars PROPERLY hooked up, mountain bikes in the back of the truck, along with the grill, firewood and other camping stuff in the bed, and the kayak rack on the truck with 3 kayaks strapped on, I haven't noticed much mush. Just hasn't been a problem for me. Maybe a heavier trailer with heavier tongue weight would be mushy, but, we haven't noticed an issue. I'm coming from a 2008 ram with the regular truck suspension. The one area we noticed a change, was in the ride when NOT towing. Our 2008 wore me out, it was rough. The 2011 is terrific. Truth be told, we're probably overloading the truck with the bikes/kayaks/stuff, probably should check it out and weigh it to be sure. It does have a smaller payload capacity than other 1/2 tons as a result of the coil suspension, but the ride is great, and I'm a fan of the Hemi. I also like the Ford, with the Ecoboost, but, just not convinced of it's long term reliability with those turbo's. (Note-I'm NOT trying to start another ecoboost debate-Not saying it's not a great engine, I like it, just saying that I personally want to see some long term experience with it before I buy one!)
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab, 5.7L Hemi 4x4. 2010 KZ Coyote CL232SS. Perfect for our Mountain Bike and Kayak adventures!
My work tow vehicle is a group of 16 cylinder General Motors diesels rated to tow around 14,000 TONS. I don't need no weight police!
Apollo99 wrote: I have a 2012 Ram 1500 Big Horn CC TV. I tow a 7150 lb 29' TT with 850 lb TW using Reese WD Dual Cams and rear Air Lift 1000 air bags (to compensate for mushy rear coil springs in Ram). What is the safest recommended towing attitude of the TV? I can adjust for a level TV resulting in nearly a 2" squat compared to the unloaded attitude. OR I can raise the rear resulting in an attitude nearly identical to unloaded attitude. In both cases, the WDs are adjusted so front height is same as unloaded. Any recommendations?
As long as you adjust the WDH to return the front to the unhitched height (or slightly above), it really doesn't matter what the rear end does.
Chevrolet says to return the front to the unhitched height.
Equal-i-zer says to eliminate at least 50% of the front-end rise.
Ford says to eliminate 50% of the front-end rise.
The Equal-i-zer and Ford specifications are recent changes to reflect information coming from SAE and RVIA towing tests.
I don't know if Dodge gives any specification for WDH adjustment.
I see nothing wrong with using air bags to lift the rear end as long as you keep the front at a proper height.
Apollo99 wrote: I have a 2012 Ram 1500 Big Horn CC TV. I tow a 7150 lb 29' TT with 850 lb TW using Reese WD Dual Cams and rear Air Lift 1000 air bags (to compensate for mushy rear coil springs in Ram). What is the safest recommended towing attitude of the TV? I can adjust for a level TV resulting in nearly a 2" squat compared to the unloaded attitude. OR I can raise the rear resulting in an attitude nearly identical to unloaded attitude. In both cases, the WDs are adjusted so front height is same as unloaded. Any recommendations?
Hi Appllo,
If you set the WD up so the front of the TV is returned to unhitched height and the rear axle is squatting 2", then that is the setup. Once WD is set then, TT being level is best but you can only adjust the head up and down the shank by 1 hole. Being 1/2" lower is most times better then being 1/2" high. So adjust the head up and down the shank to level out the TT "after" the WD is set.
If you add air in your bags, "after" setting the WD to raise the rear of the truck above the WD settings, you just "unloaded" the WD bars. And unloading the WD bars changes the WD and removes friction force off the DC resulting in a less then effective sway control.
If the truck comes out to be level with proper WD setting then great. But to adjust air bags and unload the WD to level the truck is not good IMHO.
Did I understand your use of the air bags as I explained it?
Hope this helps
John
* This post was
edited 04/06/12 09:01pm by JBarca *
John & Cindy
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
CC, SB, Lariat & FX4 package
21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR
Ford Tow Command
1,700# Reese HP hitch & HP Dual Cam
2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver
2004 Sunline Solaris T310SR
(I wish we were camping!)
The manual will NOT say anything about the rear end, because they do not anticipate the use of airbags to artificially "prop up" the rear end of the truck.
I feel that if you pump up the rear airbags to raise the truck back to unhitched height, you will have a VERY harsh ride.
IMHO the truck should not be sagging in the rear, but it should also not be at unhitched height. Somewhere in between, anywhere from level to 1" high.
2002 Chevy 3500 DRW 8.1L/Allison
2000 Palomino B1500
...and the reason why I need a DRW to haul a Palomino:
2004 United 7x14 tandem axle enclosed toy trailer
2011 PJ 8x20 7-ton deckover equipment trailer
The stance of the TV is arbitrary. What does level mean on the TV, same wheel well gaps? Same distance from ground to fender at the axle?
Adjust the WD such that the TT is level to slightly nose down based on frame to ground measurements and the front axle weight is returned to unloaded/non towing weight. Most people estimate front axle weight based on height of the fender to ground at the center of the axle/wheel hub. There is no point in measuring the rear ever, except with respect to weight relative to GVWR/GAWR.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009 2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS 2012 VW Passat TDI
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