tcp2

I use bags and a WDH. The bags restore the ride height from the weight of my topper and stuff in the bed. The WDH transfers some weight back onto the front wheels. different systems doing different things. I have never had to inflate over 20psi to achieve a no-sag setup.

acadianbob

Yes, but my point is you adjust your WD hitch per TV Mfr instructions. Then you raise the rear with air bags. That takes pressure OFF of the WD tension bars. Therefore transferring more weight back to the truck. Taken to the extreme, you could totally negate the WD hitch.

Well, not trying to start an argument. Just suggesting that this is all something to think about. There could be unintended consequences.

blueovelboy

most air bags recommend to air up the bags first then set up W/D hitch this way they both do there jobs in unison. its how I have mine set up and its a awesome setup!

tcp2

Why would you assume that? As stated, the airbags support the static load of the rear end. I don't need to add air after hooking up the trailer.

RES4CUE

Are you level led or stock?

brulaz

Yes this is the correct way.
Adjust your WDH after *any* suspension mod, like airing up the bags.
And ultimately hit the scales to verify your weights.

acadianbob

So, taken to its ultimate end, put enough air in the air bags and you don't need the WD hitch at all.

blueovelboy

no all bags do is support the load and not distribute it back to the trailers tires or to towing vehicle's front tires. witch is the reason to have a hitch of this type so it spreads the load evenly over both truck and trailer and dose not tax one set of tires / axel over the others.

acadianbob

I know exactly what a weight distribution hitch does. Using air bags will reduce the tension on the bars of the WD hitch by raising the back of the truck, which then transfers less weight to the front of the truck and to the trailer axles.

Think about it. What do you do to release the tension on the bars when you unhook a WD hitch? You jack up the back of the truck with the tongue jack. That releases the tension on the bars. That's exactly what you are doing when you put air in the bags.

You can say to put the air in the bags first. OK. No difference really. You just are putting less tension on the bars when you hook up the hitch than you otherwise would. Your WD hitch is therefore doing less work, therefore transferring less weight to the front of the truck and to the trailer axles.

RES4CUE

I'm getting what both are saying but here's where I'm confused. Say I go to a 350 from a 150. That suspension is more stiff and will stay more level before bars are on. How is it any different than leveling the 150 before you do bars? You would obviously have to set hitch up for the new setup vs just putting bags on then go with old setup.

I don't see a difference, the way I understand is that WDH doesn't rely on the sag of truck to do its job, it's the setup of hitch, bar rating and tension.

Just trying to understand.