Load leveling shocks
I would also lean towards bags or stops as opposed to increasing load on shock mounts.
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Remember- the goal is to reduce sag while towing the trailer home in lieu of the WDH. In this case, op is considering a shock instead of the airbags to get the trailer home (and during use of WDH hauling trips in the future). The first goal is supporting the weight of the trailer prior to using a WDH setup.
I don't think the shock mount is going to see any additional weight/force by adding a stiffer shock. The shock is there to dampen the ride, without it, the springs are equally capable of hauling a load, however they are 'springy' and make the vehicle more difficult to keep under control. The load leveling shocks (I guess?) are there to provide additional support/damping. Because the load sits higher in the suspension travel isn't going to reduce the work the leaf spring is there to do.
In this theory, we could add a stiffer shock and throw away a leaf pack and have the same results, more or less.
I don't think the shock mount is going to see any additional weight/force by adding a stiffer shock. The shock is there to dampen the ride, without it, the springs are equally capable of hauling a load, however they are 'springy' and make the vehicle more difficult to keep under control. The load leveling shocks (I guess?) are there to provide additional support/damping. Because the load sits higher in the suspension travel isn't going to reduce the work the leaf spring is there to do.
In this theory, we could add a stiffer shock and throw away a leaf pack and have the same results, more or less.
Remember- the goal is to reduce sag while towing the trailer home in lieu of the WDH. In this case, op is considering a shock instead of the airbags to get the trailer home (and during use of WDH hauling trips in the future). The first goal is supporting the weight of the trailer prior to using a WDH setup.
I don't think the shock mount is going to see any additional weight/force by adding a stiffer shock. The shock is there to dampen the ride, without it, the springs are equally capable of hauling a load, however they are 'springy' and make the vehicle more difficult to keep under control. The load leveling shocks (I guess?) are there to provide additional support/damping. Because the load sits higher in the suspension travel isn't going to reduce the work the leaf spring is there to do.
In this theory, we could add a stiffer shock and throw away a leaf pack and have the same results, more or less.
I don't think the shock mount is going to see any additional weight/force by adding a stiffer shock. The shock is there to dampen the ride, without it, the springs are equally capable of hauling a load, however they are 'springy' and make the vehicle more difficult to keep under control. The load leveling shocks (I guess?) are there to provide additional support/damping. Because the load sits higher in the suspension travel isn't going to reduce the work the leaf spring is there to do.
In this theory, we could add a stiffer shock and throw away a leaf pack and have the same results, more or less.
he said:
”Technically, with the WDH I wouldn’t need either of these. I’m just trying to take care of the truck and give the rear leaf springs a helping hand.
The air bags will be fine. Theee caught my attention as they’d simplistic, less to fail.”
I towed a 4k pound camper and my truck didn’t sag at all, anything above 5k technically requires a WDH. With all that being said, if you go to etrailer and search under towing suspension enhancements you won’t find shocks…you will find RAS, sumo/timberen helper bags, manual airbags, powered air bags, new leaf springs, and add a leafs….I would pick anyone of those to assist with sag before swapping out a rear shock.
if the truck sags 2 inches, if installing shocks somehow reduces that sag, then the shocks are now carrying the weight the leaf springs were and I’m 100 percent against that idea. The helper bags and air bags ride in between the frame and the axle because they take on more weight, not the thin welded shock mounts.
again, just my opinion.
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I just re-read the whole thread and missed where he said he was installing these just to get a trailer home and was going to install a WDH later? Again, could’ve missed it but didn’t see that mentioned.
he said:
”Technically, with the WDH I wouldn’t need either of these. I’m just trying to take care of the truck and give the rear leaf springs a helping hand.
The air bags will be fine. Theee caught my attention as they’d simplistic, less to fail.”
I towed a 4k pound camper and my truck didn’t sag at all, anything above 5k technically requires a WDH. With all that being said, if you go to etrailer and search under towing suspension enhancements you won’t find shocks…you will find RAS, sumo/timberen helper bags, manual airbags, powered air bags, new leaf springs, and add a leafs….I would pick anyone of those to assist with sag before swapping out a rear shock.
if the truck sags 2 inches, if installing shocks somehow reduces that sag, then the shocks are now carrying the weight the leaf springs were and I’m 100 percent against that idea. The helper bags and air bags ride in between the frame and the axle because they take on more weight, not the thin welded shock mounts.
again, just my opinion.
he said:
”Technically, with the WDH I wouldn’t need either of these. I’m just trying to take care of the truck and give the rear leaf springs a helping hand.
The air bags will be fine. Theee caught my attention as they’d simplistic, less to fail.”
I towed a 4k pound camper and my truck didn’t sag at all, anything above 5k technically requires a WDH. With all that being said, if you go to etrailer and search under towing suspension enhancements you won’t find shocks…you will find RAS, sumo/timberen helper bags, manual airbags, powered air bags, new leaf springs, and add a leafs….I would pick anyone of those to assist with sag before swapping out a rear shock.
if the truck sags 2 inches, if installing shocks somehow reduces that sag, then the shocks are now carrying the weight the leaf springs were and I’m 100 percent against that idea. The helper bags and air bags ride in between the frame and the axle because they take on more weight, not the thin welded shock mounts.
again, just my opinion.
I could be misinterpreting this thread, however it seems to align with the towing thread (to me). Installing load levelers instead of air bags.
My advice stands...if your truck is squatting 2 inches and somehow you install shocks (whatever kind) and you sag reduces...you just took weight from your springs and distributed that weight yo your shock. Theres a reason air bags/helper bags are placed between the frame and the axle...Hell, buy some Sumo or Timberens and ill buy them after you drive the trailer home, lol. I have a truck buying/keeping/modding problem so ive replaced rear shocks on 3 of my trucks and an xterra all within the past 2 years, sometime i replaced shocks twice and never gained height in the rear, even with my rear shocks on my 2018 leaking fluid all over the place.
And i stay out of the towing thread now-a-days...you either get "you are gonna die and kill everyone around you if you tow that 500lb trailer" or "I tow a 44ft 28k lb camper noooooooo problem, send it"
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NOW I SEE...but now ive got more questions...so now he wants to buy shocks and install them instead of getting the WDH set up as a temp solution to get him home to set up a WDH?
My advice stands...if your truck is squatting 2 inches and somehow you install shocks (whatever kind) and you sag reduces...you just took weight from your springs and distributed that weight yo your shock. Theres a reason air bags/helper bags are placed between the frame and the axle...Hell, buy some Sumo or Timberens and ill buy them after you drive the trailer home, lol. I have a truck buying/keeping/modding problem so ive replaced rear shocks on 3 of my trucks and an xterra all within the past 2 years, sometime i replaced shocks twice and never gained height in the rear, even with my rear shocks on my 2018 leaking fluid all over the place.
My advice stands...if your truck is squatting 2 inches and somehow you install shocks (whatever kind) and you sag reduces...you just took weight from your springs and distributed that weight yo your shock. Theres a reason air bags/helper bags are placed between the frame and the axle...Hell, buy some Sumo or Timberens and ill buy them after you drive the trailer home, lol. I have a truck buying/keeping/modding problem so ive replaced rear shocks on 3 of my trucks and an xterra all within the past 2 years, sometime i replaced shocks twice and never gained height in the rear, even with my rear shocks on my 2018 leaking fluid all over the place.
I was originally going to just get airbags. These were not to take the place of a WDH. But to act as a helping hand to the leaf springs when under load. The concept was the same for the load levelers. Though, I’m undecided if I want to test fit them as they do not make them for this generation. In that case, air bags it’ll be.
The load leveling shocks wouldn’t be instead. They would be together. Though, I am planning to drive the trailer home without the WDH dialed in. The trailer is 4000 lbs dry with a 540 tongue weight. Nothing extreme.
I was originally going to just get airbags. These were not to take the place of a WDH. But to act as a helping hand to the leaf springs when under load. The concept was the same for the load levelers. Though, I’m undecided if I want to test fit them as they do not make them for this generation. In that case, air bags it’ll be.
I was originally going to just get airbags. These were not to take the place of a WDH. But to act as a helping hand to the leaf springs when under load. The concept was the same for the load levelers. Though, I’m undecided if I want to test fit them as they do not make them for this generation. In that case, air bags it’ll be.
I concur, 4,000lb camper should be just fine...
My camper is 7,700 lbs dry, 31 foot, 34 foot tongue to bumper and pulls amazingly well. It has a WDH and I added the Sumos, can't wait for the first trip loaded down to the lake. I do have to raise my ball hitch 1" and add a washer based off my latest tire size change and truck height difference.