mark waller

That's a very inexpensive WDH. Spend about $600 on a Blue Ox and I believe your issues will be solved.

Siskiyou

When I had it hooked to the truck it looked fine but the road is not perfectly level and you are right once I looked at the picture it does look a little nose high. My next try I am going to flip the hitch so I can lower it about an inch, reduce the spring tension, load it up with water and take it back out to the scales. In order to get there I have to go over windy road with several hills, bumps and not exactly flat so it makes the perfect test.

KOZ45

What are your rear leaf spring codes?

my truck has VVGG and doesn't squat alot, at all

Siskiyou

Where do I find the spring codes, it does have the max tow package but not the heavy payload package?

bmach

I would invest in a quality WDH before doing anything else. Blue ox or equal-I-zer is where I would start. I use the equal -I-zer and so far so good.

massspike

Timbrens act like an extra leaf under load but have no effect when empty so you don't get the 1" of rear lift and rough riding.

massspike

If you look at last week's (or the week before) The Fast Lane Truck Q&A they discuss this. Basically: the air bags will only level your truck (static), the leaf spring (shock, Timbrens, etc.) boosts the suspension (active) -- so you should consider doing both although I'd personally start with Timbrens and a good WDH.

Siskiyou

I don't doubt that there may be some advantage to different hitches but since it towed fine with my '02 Silverado that I had added an extra leaf to I don't think that would be the only issue.
This may get a little long but this is why I think an extra spring or air bags would help the most. I used to tow a 22' TT with a WDH, the tow vehicle was a short bed standard cab '78 Chevy 4x4, no power but extremely stable, it had I think four leafs. Next tow vehicle with same setup was a '91 2500 Chevy standard cab long bed 4x4. Not a real 3/4 ton, small brakes and 6 lug but it towed extremely stable. Next truck was a new '02 Silverado Ext. Cab 5.3, 4x4, towing the same setup and it towed horribly. If I hit a bump it was all over the road, going down hill on curves I could feel the rearend move like it was swiveling. I had it checked at the dealer, put a hellwig sway bar on the truck, sway control on trailer, 10 ply one size smaller tires like a one ton would have and only got a small improvement. The dealer towed with it and an RV repair shop towed with it and all agreed it didn't tow well. I ended up adding the extra leaf and it towed exceptional, in the wind, while cornering, rough roads etc. just like one solid unit. I got the new travel trailer with the current hitch and it still towed great, set a little lower in the rear but no stability issues.
Now with the new F150 with the same RV and hitch I am getting some sway with it so I replaced the tires and it helped a lot but still not as stable as the Chevy, more power, just not a stable. You have to understand that 15 or 20 years ago they used to put more leaves in the rear springs, then the 1/2 ton trucks became grocery getters and people wanted a softer ride which creates this problem. They have added a lot more power which is really nice though.

pilotpip

15 to 20 years ago trucks got 10mpg, and had less payload than they have now. What's your point? One of the major reasons that trucks ride better now is because they also have more suspension travel. Spring rates are often softer initially but ramp up as travel increases so they can still do their job as a truck.

You asked a question, and several here gave suggestions. Did you ever think that maybe the bars, or hitch may be the problem? Just because it worked great with your chevy, doesn't mean it will work well with this truck. I had to buy several new bars with more drop when I replaced my old dodge with my current ford because the rear end sits up much higher and the old hitches left my trailer tounges way too high.

It's a different truck, with different weight distribution, different wheelbase, different everything. Maybe it needs a different adjustment. I'll agree with the others. LT tires, and airbags are a lot more expensive than a quality WDH. That trailer should tow easily with P rated.

It's your money. Do what you want.

Siskiyou

Actually if you go back and look at the question I asked it was if anyone knew whether the airbags would do the same job as the springs on this truck. I do appreciate the help people have given but I believe it is in the springs not the other items.