navycranes
Maryland
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Joined: 05/21/2008
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I am pulling an Outback that has a max weight of 7,000lbs. At 12% that is about 840lbs of tongue weight.
My 2006 Dodge 1500 tends to sag a little in the rear end even with my 800lb Eaz-Lift bars at their max. I can get the weight distributed evenly to both axles (at least the scale is saying that I have) but I can not get the sag out of the rear end.
I am considering adding either helper springs or air bags to my rear end to prevent the sag.
What is the better system to go with? Helper springs or air bags?? And which brand is the best one to go with?
2005 Keystone Outback 28RSS, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Tekonsha Primus Brake Control
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1jeep
acushnet ma.
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Joined: 02/25/2005
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you might want to try bigger bars first to even the weight out, most likely when your camper is full that tongue weight is more than you think. Is both front and rear of the truck going down the same amount when you put on your bars?
2007 Toyota Tundra Sr5 DC 4x4 8'bed 5.7 tow package 4:30 gears
2007 Keystone Outback Sydney 32BHDS
2006 HD Street Glide
1997 Yamaha YZF1000r
1995 Honda CR500r
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colochoclab
Arvada, Colorado
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Do they make 10000# spring bars for your type of hitch? I have the 10K bars on my Equalizer hitch and I kinda wish I went with the 12K bars sometimes!
-Lab
2008 Nissan Titan LE Crew 4x4, DOHC 5.6 V8 w/VVT, Big Tow Pkg.
2006 Jayco JayFlight 29FBS
Equal-i-zer 10K Hitch
Prodigy Brake Control
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gouldc
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
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Joined: 10/13/2004
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Larger bars might be the quickest answer. After trying that avenue, and you still have an issue, I can't say enough good things about airbags. The quality of the ride will increase dramatically as well, even when unloaded and the air pressure knocked down.
Let me know if you want more info on them.
03' Lariat F350, 6.0L Short Box *SOLD*
04' Jayco Eagle 28FKS *SOLD*
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Big Shoe
Exit 1-NJ Turnpike, PENNSVILLE, NJ
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I installed the air bags inside my rear springs. They help, however I have had problems.One of the air lines got a little close to a hot manifold and that was that. Another time the air bag actually popped.
The company stood behind the product and sent me a new air bag but they never reimbursed me for the new pair of undies; when that thing popped I thought someone had shot at me!
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2002 Chevy Suburban 4WD
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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If you have not weighed your tongue, I will bet that your tongue weight is closer to 1000lbs than 800! If I were you, I would put 1000lb bars on your hitch and then re-set it up using this thread as a guide and then visit the scales to see exactly what you did and make any corrections. There is no reason why you should need air bags or helper springs with that truck and the proper WD bars and setup.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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Ductape
On the Road
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Joined: 11/15/2005
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You guys are not reading the OP. "I can get the weight distributed evenly to both axles (at least the scale is saying that I have"
If the above is true, heavier bars are not the answer. Moving all the weight to the front axle is not a safe solution.
IMO I would start from scratch with weighing and measuring just the TV and then the combo. And especially the TW.
Somewhere in the setup there is an incorrect assumption. Rear sag and evenly distributed weight don't go together.
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johnthecamper
Grapevine, Texas
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First your true tongue weight is probably much more than you think. My Jayco specs say it has 875# tongue but loaded for travel it is more like 1250#. I have the Eaz-Lift hitch also and changed from the 1000# bars to the 1400# bars. The bars can be found online fairly reasonably priced.
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Al B
Cowtown
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In my experience, if you cannot return the truck/trailer to level with the bars, then the truck should be changed, maybe with a 3/4ton?? What is the payload on the Ram 1500 in your configuration? With a 3/4 ton, a noticeable payload increase will surely help your situation. JMO tho.
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gouldc
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
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Joined: 10/13/2004
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Not always. I'm within my specs but have about 2" of sag without the bags. Again, not only does it keep the truck level it improves the ride quality loaded or dry.
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