New to Towing

I am considering buying a pop up camper. Any advice on replacing the shocks with a stiffer set? My truck is an 07- 2 wheel drive access cab with the 4 cylinder engine. Other suggestions to make towing easier and safer?

 

i'm assuming this is a trailer. Your truck will be fine as long as you don't have too much tongue weight. if you start adding gear in the bed then you may want to consider new leaf springs for the added weight.

some people like to have the trailer brakes for shorter stopping distances, also weight distribution hitch to help with trailer sway. just make sure you give yourself extra stopping distance and be careful with where weight is placed and you will be good to go.

 

Thank you for the reply.

 

Shocks will not increase load capacity, more leaf springs will. Shocks do exactly what they're called, they absorb shock. If you're trailering a popup, no mods will need to be made. Your truck can pull 3500lbs, 350lb tongue weight and a payload of 1300ish lbs. look for the GVWR on your door jam. Should be 8000lbs, which means your camper, truck weight, occupants and any and all gear should be 8000lbs or less according to what the DOT rates the truck for. After all this is being said, pull the camper, don't bother messing with the truck.

 

GVWR does not include the trailer. That would be GCWR (gross combined weight rating). The only part of the trailer that is transfer to the axles is the tongue weight, so the tongue weight would be part of the GVWR.

 

This and also remember that the trailer doesn't follow the exact path of the truck when turning.

 

You're correct, I mixed up my acronyms. Thanks for the clarification.