Trailer level question

[agallant80]

My tow vehicle is sagging quite a bit, not bad but the trailer is not riding level. Which brings me to my question. Is it better to get the truck and boat to ride level together IE rasing the rear suspension or is just the trailer riding level fine (step hitch).

Thoughts on this are appreciated. The tow vehicle is a 2001 Ford Excursion V10 and its function is to do jut that, tow. Its not the daily driver so modifying it for better tow performance is not an issue.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Traler level question

Re: Traler level question

Sagging springs might indicate worn out bushings, worn leaves, if leaf springs, or again, if leaf springs, a broken leaf. If coils, the springs have outlived their service life.

In any case, you want to correct the problem at the tow vehicle as worn springs will affect ride height and handling. SO, unless you are strapped for money, a step hitch would be my last resort.

Whatever fits your vehicle or is the best option: Add a leaf, replace the springs, install overload shock/springs etc. Personally, I have replaced springs and added leaves to a set of leaf springs. It is not as difficult as you would imagine but coils require a set of spring compressors to remove and install

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Traler level question

Re: Traler level question

What kind of tongue weight are you running that you are squatting an excursion? And how tall is your trailer tongue that you would need a step hitch on something as tall as an excursion? Picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Traler level question

Re: Traler level question

Sorry guys, I meant sagging when the trailer is attached. It rides just fine, the springs are not worn. I wish I took a photo when I had the rig togeather this weekend. The toungh weight is around 1K

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Traler level question

Re: Traler level question

The tow vehicle should not sag very much, and at its loaded height, the trailer should be fairly level. As mentioned, maybe check/adjust the tongue weight as needed. I assume that you have a tandem axle trailer, so your tongue weight can be somewhat lower than a single axle (5-10%) of the load.

Edit: 1K tongue weight seems high for that boat.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Traler level question

Re: Traler level question

Sorry guys, I meant sagging when the trailer is attached. It rides just fine, the springs are not worn. I wish I took a photo when I had the rig togeather this weekend. The toungh weight is around 1K

1000 of tongue weight? What kind of hitch have you got on the truck? If it is not a WD hitch then you are severely overloading the hitch, truck and drawbar. (Unless someone upgraded the stock class 3 to a $900 Titan Class 5)

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Traler level question

Re: Traler level question

seems to me that while level is preferred, the proper percentage of tongue weight is the most important factor, regardless of whether that results in any significant sag.
But if the tongue weight percentage is right, and if the sagging causes a corresponding loss of steering and front wheel grip, you have issues that need to be addressed--this is usually a result of too much weight for that tow vehicle.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Traler level question

Re: Traler level question



Sagging like this or worse? In this case, the tongue load drops the rear of the truck from the ride springs onto the load leaves and ride improves. But my tongue weight is only around 300-350.

I really should get a higher drawbar because if I am towing in the rain--that is heavy rain-- the water collects in the cuddy instead of running out the transom drain. But----Inertia. I have the one I have and it works. And how many times am I caught in a downpour while towing?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer level question

1k doesn't sound out of line. His towed weight is likely 9k.

You likely need a WD hitch.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Trailer level question

1k doesn't sound out of line. His towed weight is likely 9k.

You likely need a WD hitch.

I'll differ on this - 1K is an insane amount of tongue weight for a 9K load, but I've never bought into the anything near 10% rule that some folks use, especially on multi axle trailers

That being said - even 1K shouldn't really sag out an excursion unless there is something else going on. And I'm not sure that 1K on a class 3 even with WD is a great idea.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Trailer level question

1k doesn't sound out of line. His towed weight is likely 9k.

You likely need a WD hitch.

Will the surge breaks work with a WD Hitch?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer level question

Yes. There are some that work better than others.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer level question

Nothing at all wrong with 1k tongue weight.... mine is a little higher
If his tongue weight is too much for his hitch then his gross is too much too generally the hitch will be rated at 10% tongue weight vs gross and he is just barely over 10%

BTW my 18,000 lb rated Reese Titan was $450... not $900


The best solution is to level the tow rig, an excursion has a softer ride than say my dually and as such is more prone to sag under load... It's pricey but I suggest an air lift 5k air bag kit.... once you tow with air bags on the back you will swear against ever towing without em.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Trailer level question

BTW my 18,000 lb rated Reese Titan was $450... not $900

They are a lot more expensive for an Excursion

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer level question

This is the type WD hitch you would need. Notice how the bars can slide.
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution w/ 4-Point Sway Control - No Shank - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution EQ37101ET

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Trailer level question

FWIW.... Your boat is about 7000 lbs on a tandem trailer. You should have most of your weight on the trailer (tandems) and not on the hitch/tongue. At 1,000 lbs you are too heavy IMHO and well over 10% which is a standard for a SINGLE axle. You posted last year

http://forums.iboats.com/trailers-towing/bunk-setup-634783.html#post4474926

Anyhow....your hitch should not sag appreciatively when attached to the trailer. Your preference is that the trailer and vehicle remain at level. That's how a trailer/boat dealer would set you up. If the Excursion rides fine without the trailer attached, that does not necessarily mean there is nothing wrong with the suspension...it's not under a large load so you wouldn't know. My suggestion would be to have someone check the Excursion suspension and explain to them what you are doing/towing.

Smoke has it right...."once you tow with air bags on the back you will swear against ever towing without em." That maybe all you need. At least...that's what I think.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer level question

FWIW.... Your boat is about 7000 lbs on a tandem trailer.

You forget about the weight of the trailer. He is close to 9000 lbs if not more.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Trailer level question

You forget about the weight of the trailer. He is close to 9000 lbs if not more.

Good point but I still think 1,000 is too much--but who am I?. Interesting note however...an Excursion weighs in at about 7700lbs which means the whole enchilada is over 16000lbs. I'd hate to have to stop fast!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer level question

Good point but I still think 1,000 is too much--but who am I?.

1000 lbs is 11%. Doesn't sound excessive to me at all.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Trailer level question

No doubt 1000#s will sag that Excursion. I have 1k in the box next to the tailgate in my 2012 RAM 2500 and it sags...... Bagging it as mentioned would be a good way to level it if the tongue weight remains the same. I've used bags before on a 1/2 ton towing a tractor. Worked great.