Does your REAR END sag?

[bugeyedriver]

No! Not THAT rear end!!!!!!!! Your TV's rear end. I have a Tacoma 4 door 2x4 with a towing package which includes extra protection for the tranny & engine, a bigger alternator and a class IV hitch. But it does not have off-road stiff shocks like its 4x4 brothers. The ride is like a Camry, smooth smooth, smooth.

 

But when I hooked up the Wonder Egg, with its 400 lb tongue weight, i noticed an ever so slight depression on the rear end and the associated lift on the front. After studying my options to fix this i came upon a product called a Timbren Suspension Enhancement System. http://www.truckspring.com/timbren_285.html

 

The concept here is that it does not change your unloaded ride much but when a downward pressure is applied to the rear end of the vehicle, these assists come into play to stop the sag.

 

I've used it for about 4 hours worth of towing so far and it does everything i was hoping. So, if you're worried about a sagging rear end . . . check it out!

[bugz]

We noticed the same thing with our Jeep so we opted for this kit recommended by Jim Oliver since we have coil springs:

 

http://www.firestoneindustrial.com/ride ... info.shtml

 

We are also in the process of installing an air compressor so the air springs can be inflated whenever and where ever. I am sure the compressor will come in handy for a multitude of other things as well.

 

 

Lisa

[OllieOOP]

I too got the Firestone air bags installed on the rear of my Ford F150 and it has been quite helpful in improving the ride

[Trainman]

I have been looking at the Sumo Springs, pretty much the same thing as the Timbren, I did post a question on this forum about them and received several responses. I wanted something so I didn't need to use the Anderson WDH on my 2019 Ram 1500. My problem still is the Ram is rated at 500 lbs. tongue weight and the Elite II is probably going to push around 550-575 loaded. I do have a 2" sage with that weight on the Ram at the rear, so even being 50-75 lbs. over limit and the Sumo's would correct the sage is it the correct way to go or not. We don't pickup our new Oliver till July 8th, so the debate goes on, Anderson or Sumo Springs.

 

 

 

trainman

[mountainoliver]

A weight distribution hitch and helper springs are two totally different things. The Andersen Hitch has two features built in. One is weight distribution, which shifts some of the rear axle weight towards the front axle. This by default also lifts the tow vehicle rear some. The second feature is an anti sway function. There is a friction cone system that dampens out sway. Helper springs or air bags and such only lift/level the vehicle rear. They don’t remove any weight from the rear axle. If you are over the rear axle or tire weight rating, that issue will remain with using helper springs/air bags. Remember, the weight on the rear axle includes EVERYTHING being hauled in the tow vehicle AND the trailer tongue weight on the hitch. It is better to over estimate this than to under estimate. The lightest your camper will ever be is when it just leaves the factory.

[topgun2]

I'll add a bit to mountainoliver's statements - the air bags, sumo springs and/or helper springs do virtually nothing for "porpoising" (that dreaded bounce that is most often caused by expansion joints on the interstates).  The Andersen WDH vastly improves this issue while at the same time leaving the warranty on that 2019 pickup intact.

 

Bill

[bugeyedriver]

Several years ago, I added a Roadmaster Active Suspension system to my Tacoma to go along with the Timbren.  I liked what it did for my truck's ride so much, when I retired the Tacoma from towing duties and purchased my F150, an active suspension kit was the first modification I added.  It enhances the ride towing and non towing.