My truck is wimpy...

Now that I am back to a regular keyboard:


The bags help support the weight of the trailer on the truck frame. This helps keep the back of the truck from diving and lifting the front of the truck. It should be obvious why the front of the truck having a force lifting it up is a bad thing; but I'll cover it anyways. The reduced weight on the front reduces the front tires contact which effects steering, braking, and ride quality. All bad things to give up; especially when towing.

 

I would get the rear Spring TSB, measure the correct drop/rise you need to match your truck's hitch to the trailer tongue.

I towed my sleds in a enclosed trailer 4 yrs with no problems in the same configuration as your truck.
Loading placement also makes a difference as noted.

I didn't have to do anything else to my truck other than the TSB (free per customer complaint during warranty period) & correct bar mount.

 

The TSB would be nice - but in my situation I'm way out of mileage/warranty. Although I have found a hook up for a TSB set of springs.

 

oh I see...I was reading/replying to the OPs first post & he said he had an 11.
Out of Warranty is a whole different ballgame though it looks like you have it figured out...hope it works out for you too! Yeah the tsb out of warranty situation stinks for people who get a truck & previous owner did not want it & they do.

 

unless your hookup is giving them for free dont waste you time or money, the TSB springs are barely an upgrade over the 3 leaf pack.

 

Damn near free and he is helping to install them.

 

That's all correct, tx. The problem is that the air bags won't help with the reduced weight on the front tires, they just make it look like it. With or without air bags, the weight on the axles will be about the same. Even with air bags you will have the reduced weight on the front wheels with all it's problems.
All the air bags (or Timbrens that I have) do is helping weak springs. You need a WDH if you want to distribute weight, but that does not work with a 5th wheel.

 

Ok... you win. I can't argue with an idiot. They always pull me down to their level and beat me with experience. Damn it. One of these days I'll learn.

 

I hope so. Especially about towing, tongue weight and weight distribution. You did make a start here.
No need to get personal though if you don't understand.

Here is something to read for you:
http://www.lets-getaway.com/hitches-antisway-weightdistribution.htm

Quote:
Will Poly-Air Bags assist with weight distribution ?

When you push down on the handles of a wheelbarrow the front rises. That's what happens to the towing vehicle when you connect the caravan - the front wheels tend to lift, therefore reducing steering control.
Adding poly air bags is like stiffening the legs of the wheelbarrow. Certainly worth doing if the originals are too weak/soft. But it does not address the real problem which is, like the front of that wheelbarrow, the front wheels of the car tend to lift.
A weight distributing hitch addresses the latter problem and is necessary to have.

 

As stated above, new leaf packs will solve this problem... and then level out the front.

 

X2

 

He man, can you let me know how your install goes, how long it took and what difference you noticed?

Thanks,

 

I installed Firestone Ride-rite air bags last year and it made a big difference, I love them.

 

I tow an 18' camper about 3200# with the spring TSB no air bags no WD hitch but the tongue weight is correct. Handles fine and the lights are not in the trees. I also fill it with fire wood with out a problem.