Help me prevent trailer squat
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
Got a question for you and alchymist though. Reading only the post and assuming no WD hitch, would you both agree that if he leveled the truck, then hooked up the trailer, the truck would probably be nose high? Just wondering because when he said that about the tongue weight and the truck sitting level when he drops the trailer on it, I assumed no WD hitch. That's a heck of a lot of weight without a WD though.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Lovely Wife is psychic - she knows EVERYTHING so it is better to fess up and avoid the issues.
Just kidding - been married 31 years, still trying to decide if it's time to come home from the honeymoon. I am a blessed man.
Just kidding - been married 31 years, still trying to decide if it's time to come home from the honeymoon. I am a blessed man.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Got a question for you and alchymist though. Reading only the post and assuming no WD hitch, would you both agree that if he leveled the truck, then hooked up the trailer, the truck would probably be nose high? Just wondering because when he said that about the tongue weight and the truck sitting level when he drops the trailer on it, I assumed no WD hitch. That's a heck of a lot of weight without a WD though.
If OP has weight distribution then adjusting the weight distributing hitch can take care if the leveling issue with no investment.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
That's what I thought and if he doesn't have one, he needs one. There's no way I'd be pulling that kind of weight without WD and sway control. The WD should be able to alleviate the squat like you and alchymist said.
As always, great info. on FTE! Thanks b.
As always, great info. on FTE! Thanks b.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
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Junior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Yes, I have a weight distributing hitch. Here's the deal ...
As it sits now
The truck is nose down until the trailer is hooked up; once hooked up both the truck and trailer are level.
What I want to do
Leveling kit - raise the front of the truck 2.5" so that is is level with the rear of the truck (w/o a load).
What I suspect
Given that the weight of the trailer lowers the rear of the truck now so that it is level with the stock front height of the truck, it would seem to make sense that the same amount of weight would cause the rear of the truck to squat after installing a leveling kit on the truck.
Bottom line
I want the truck to be level whether or not it has a trailer hooked up to it.
As it sits now
The truck is nose down until the trailer is hooked up; once hooked up both the truck and trailer are level.
What I want to do
Leveling kit - raise the front of the truck 2.5" so that is is level with the rear of the truck (w/o a load).
What I suspect
Given that the weight of the trailer lowers the rear of the truck now so that it is level with the stock front height of the truck, it would seem to make sense that the same amount of weight would cause the rear of the truck to squat after installing a leveling kit on the truck.
Bottom line
I want the truck to be level whether or not it has a trailer hooked up to it.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: C eh N eh D eh
Hey Headrope!
Had exactly the same issues with my 350 and finally went with the airbags. Got the Firestone Ride Rites and installed them last week.
I went from 36 1/2" inches to 39 1/2" at the front, measured from road to underside of fender/wheel well through center of wheel. Still leaves me 2" short to come to the 41 1/2" high rears but very happy with the look.
Installation was a bear as parts did not line up correctly but a full day of thinking and beer got the job done.
Ran about 70 lbs (wouldn't raise much higher and I didn't want them too stiff) air during the test drive and found the ride better. At slow speeds the front end doesn't feel as mushy and soft, you can sense where the wheels are easier. At high speeds the response from dips and expansion joints are not as harsh, you can feel the bags working.
Lowering the pressure to 5 lbs. min lowered the front to within 1/2" of original.
2223 Firestone Ride-Rite Front Air Spring Kit, Air Helper Spring
Sure is nice having the headlight beams up were they should be.
Had exactly the same issues with my 350 and finally went with the airbags. Got the Firestone Ride Rites and installed them last week.
I went from 36 1/2" inches to 39 1/2" at the front, measured from road to underside of fender/wheel well through center of wheel. Still leaves me 2" short to come to the 41 1/2" high rears but very happy with the look.
Installation was a bear as parts did not line up correctly but a full day of thinking and beer got the job done.
Ran about 70 lbs (wouldn't raise much higher and I didn't want them too stiff) air during the test drive and found the ride better. At slow speeds the front end doesn't feel as mushy and soft, you can sense where the wheels are easier. At high speeds the response from dips and expansion joints are not as harsh, you can feel the bags working.
Lowering the pressure to 5 lbs. min lowered the front to within 1/2" of original.
2223 Firestone Ride-Rite Front Air Spring Kit, Air Helper Spring
Sure is nice having the headlight beams up were they should be.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Thanks for the tip on cranking up the hitch another link or two. I'll give it a shot - likely will ad air bags too. Firestone Ride Rites are what I was looking at. They seem to be the 'it' bag.
As for headlights - I had forgotten all about that bonus. I'd written off those things after the night I drove my truck - two years ago. I swear my fog lights are brighter and have more range.
As for headlights - I had forgotten all about that bonus. I'd written off those things after the night I drove my truck - two years ago. I swear my fog lights are brighter and have more range.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
Airbags, for sure. Add the auto system to allow you to adjust them on the fly, rather than stopping and hooking up a compressor. There is really no other way to do the job in this case. You can't have two seperate suspension adjustments without an adjustable suspension 
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