Help setting up to tow
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 890
Likes: 156
From: Gainesville
Help setting up to tow
I'm purchasing a 27' Airstream and need to freshen the suspension. I have E rated Michelins, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Hellwig rear sway bar, Bilstein HDs and front steering stabilizer.
Should I get new rear springs? What brand of hub bearings? I don't want a lift more than I already have, I just want a better tow vehicle.
Thanks for your help!
ASFC27FTFBQ
Should I get new rear springs? What brand of hub bearings? I don't want a lift more than I already have, I just want a better tow vehicle.
Thanks for your help!
ASFC27FTFBQ
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
you are saying “ better tow”. but not giving us any idea what yours is doing that you think needs to change or improve
what exactly are you wanting to improve ?
also, your center of hub to bottom of fender arch measurements at all 4 corners will help us understand your setup.
what exactly are you wanting to improve ?
also, your center of hub to bottom of fender arch measurements at all 4 corners will help us understand your setup.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
shock wise, what is a Bilstein HD ?
bilsteins us a series number, i.e. 4600, 5100, 5165. ect
i need to know what series you have and how old are they ?
what condition are your front bump stops in ? pics would be helpful.
parts wise. foolish not to use the Timken unit bearings, spicer ball joints and motorcraft tie rods. all others are in fact inferior.
bilsteins us a series number, i.e. 4600, 5100, 5165. ect
i need to know what series you have and how old are they ?
what condition are your front bump stops in ? pics would be helpful.
parts wise. foolish not to use the Timken unit bearings, spicer ball joints and motorcraft tie rods. all others are in fact inferior.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 890
Likes: 156
From: Gainesville
shock wise, what is a Bilstein HD ?
bilsteins us a series number, i.e. 4600, 5100, 5165. ect
i need to know what series you have and how old are they ?
what condition are your front bump stops in ? pics would be helpful.
parts wise. foolish not to use the Timken unit bearings, spicer ball joints and motorcraft tie rods. all others are in fact inferior.
bilsteins us a series number, i.e. 4600, 5100, 5165. ect
i need to know what series you have and how old are they ?
what condition are your front bump stops in ? pics would be helpful.
parts wise. foolish not to use the Timken unit bearings, spicer ball joints and motorcraft tie rods. all others are in fact inferior.
Thanks for the info on the Timken, Spicer and Motorcraft.
ASFC27FTFBQ
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
i know what HD stands for but Bilstein does not use HD as a designator for any model of its shocks. they use a number system such as 4600, 5100 ect
if you want specific help then we need specific answers. the difference between a Ex that tows well snd one that does not comes down to many small snd specific details.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 890
Likes: 156
From: Gainesville
I guess I should have made myself a little more clear. I intend on keeping everything I have done so far, as well as the G2 4.56 ring and pinion and Banks headers I plan on installing. Oh yea, I forgot, I will need a tune afterward. When I need new shocks, I'll look up my paperwork and order the same. I'm interested in helping the payload and tongue weight it needs to handle the extra weight of the Airstream. I know there are a bunch of different rear springs out there, but I'm interested in if: 1. I need to replace the stock one because of age and/or 2. there is a replacement either for the F-250 or F-350 that would increase the strength without increasing the height.
Right now all I tow is a Corvette race car on a Featherlite open wheel trailer with tools and spares and it feels like it is struggling on slight grades.
Thanks again.
ASFC27FTFBQ
Right now all I tow is a Corvette race car on a Featherlite open wheel trailer with tools and spares and it feels like it is struggling on slight grades.
Thanks again.
ASFC27FTFBQ
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
let me be perfectly clear,
can not help without knowing the specific answers to the questions. its not about wanting to tell you to buy different parts its trying to understand what parts you have now so i can get an idea of how your setup currently tows. you want better but we cant understand what you have now unless you tell us specifically. bilstein HD doesnt mean diddly to a suspension tuner. that could be any shock they make. like wise there are at least 4 different f350 springs you could use, each one is vastly different. you want real answers snswer the questions.
can not help without knowing the specific answers to the questions. its not about wanting to tell you to buy different parts its trying to understand what parts you have now so i can get an idea of how your setup currently tows. you want better but we cant understand what you have now unless you tell us specifically. bilstein HD doesnt mean diddly to a suspension tuner. that could be any shock they make. like wise there are at least 4 different f350 springs you could use, each one is vastly different. you want real answers snswer the questions.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
you have a specific request of wanting a new rear spring but no additional lift but have yet to provide the measurements i asked for.
without those measurements here is your answer.
the one you have now will work fine
without those measurements here is your answer.
the one you have now will work fine
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5th Wheeling
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I'm towing a 8500 lb trailer with a 2WD V-10 on stock springs, fresh Bilstein 4600's and a Helwig rear bar. Couldn't be happier. Just get your weight distributing hitch set up properly and then just send it. In your case I wouldn't spend another penny until you try towing with what you have and then go from there.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 112
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From: North Carolina
I'm towing a 8500 lb trailer with a 2WD V-10 on stock springs, fresh Bilstein 4600's and a Helwig rear bar. Couldn't be happier. Just get your weight distributing hitch set up properly and then just send it. In your case I wouldn't spend another penny until you try towing with what you have and then go from there.
By the airstream, get a quality WD system, and then come back with the issues you want to iron out.
for the record, Pirate has a dartboard with my screenname on it. He throws darts at it every time I ask stupid questions. 😂😂
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Media PA
I guess I should have made myself a little more clear. I intend on keeping everything I have done so far, as well as the G2 4.56 ring and pinion and Banks headers I plan on installing. Oh yea, I forgot, I will need a tune afterward. When I need new shocks, I'll look up my paperwork and order the same. I'm interested in helping the payload and tongue weight it needs to handle the extra weight of the Airstream. I know there are a bunch of different rear springs out there, but I'm interested in if: 1. I need to replace the stock one because of age and/or 2. there is a replacement either for the F-250 or F-350 that would increase the strength without increasing the height.
Right now all I tow is a Corvette race car on a Featherlite open wheel trailer with tools and spares and it feels like it is struggling on slight grades.
Thanks again.
ASFC27FTFBQ
Right now all I tow is a Corvette race car on a Featherlite open wheel trailer with tools and spares and it feels like it is struggling on slight grades.
Thanks again.
ASFC27FTFBQ
The 4.65 gears, Banks headers and 5Star custom tunes WILL help it tow better. Get that work done and hitch up to the Airstream with a quality WD hitch that is properly setup and give it a tow, then you will be in a much better position to decide if it needs any improvements at all. I wouldn't expect a 27' Streamer to have an exceptionally high tongue weight and they tend to tow and track pretty well due to their more aero shape than typical TTs.
The request for suspension measurements is the first step in any recommendation for a spring change, you asked if they might need replacing due to age or wear, those measurements are how we know if they need replacing. Pirate wasn't harrassing you above, he was just asking you to clarify exactly what you have currently to make a recommendation on what may be an improvement over that, without the facts on what you currently have we can only guess.