Help me prevent trailer squat
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Junior User
Joined: May 2007
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Help me prevent trailer squat
I've got a '05 6.0 F350 that is stock. I want to level it but wonder if in doing so I'll make the rear end squat when towing.
Right now, the truck will sit level when the trailer is on. So it would seem to make sense that the truck would squat if I raised the front and left everything else the same. How do I prevent that? Air bags?
The trailer is a tow trailer and has a 1,300-pound tongue weight (heavy, I know).
Please and thanks.
Right now, the truck will sit level when the trailer is on. So it would seem to make sense that the truck would squat if I raised the front and left everything else the same. How do I prevent that? Air bags?
The trailer is a tow trailer and has a 1,300-pound tongue weight (heavy, I know).
Please and thanks.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
Airbags are a great investment. These also work well and are a cinch to install.
SuperSprings Self-Adjusting Suspension Stabilizers
SuperSprings Self-Adjusting Suspension Stabilizers
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,005
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
If your trailer is sitting nose low and you use a drawbar with less of a drop to raise it the trailer will sit level and the truck will not change. Weight is what makes the truck squat, not the height of the trailer hitch ball. If you raise the trailer hitch ball the trailer will still have the same tongue weight (disregarding the theoretical change caused by rotating the trailer on the axle centerline which may cause a .0003% reduction in tongue weight, probably cannot even measure it).
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Simpsonville, KY
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Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
Yeah, I think what the OP was saying was that his truck has the typical slightly nose down attitude. He wants to do a leveling kit on the truck. If the truck sits level with the trailer hooked to the truck now, after the leveling kit is installed on the front of the truck, he is saying the truck will probably squat in the rear with the trailer hooked up. Makes sense. The airbags or Super Springs should help remedy this and level the truck again.
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"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
I'm surprised that no one has asked if you have a weight distribution hitch. I guess at that tongue weight everyone assumes you do. So why not just crank up a little on the WD adjustment to bring the truck back level? 
Richard Henry Lee, Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, Initiator of the Declaration of Independence, and member of the first Senate, which passed the Bill of Rights: “To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.”
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Richard Henry Lee, Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, Initiator of the Declaration of Independence, and member of the first Senate, which passed the Bill of Rights: “To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.”
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Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
I'm surprised that no one has asked if you have a weight distribution hitch. I guess at that tongue weight everyone assumes you do. So why not just crank up a little on the WD adjustment to bring the truck back level?
Richard Henry Lee, Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, Initiator of the Declaration of Independence, and member of the first Senate, which passed the Bill of Rights: “To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.”
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Richard Henry Lee, Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, Initiator of the Declaration of Independence, and member of the first Senate, which passed the Bill of Rights: “To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.”
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,005
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Original poster said in the second paragraph
So truck is level, trailer is not. From the second half of the second sentence he is wanting to raise the front of the trailer and wants to know if the truck will squat more if the front of the trailer is higher.
ADDED IN EDIT - powerstroke 72 made a good point, I have misread the original post.
Originally Posted by Headrope
Right now, the truck will sit level when the trailer is on. So it would seem to make sense that the truck would squat if I raised the front and left everything else the same.
ADDED IN EDIT - powerstroke 72 made a good point, I have misread the original post.
Last edited by believer45; Mar 23, 2009 at 09:37 PM. Reason: OOOOOPS!!
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Regardless of how he jacks the truck, all he has to do is get the trailer level by adjusting the hitch, (assuming the hitch is height adjustable), then use the wd adjustment to level the truck. Sometimes have to work back and forth a little, but should be a setting where both truck and trailer are level. If the truck doesn't squat much when the trailer is dropped on the ball, shouldn't need airbags.
“The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” Sam Adams
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“The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” Sam Adams
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,005
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Please disregard all the "stuff" I posted above.
Good catch, glad you were paying better attention than me.
Lovely Wife and 18 year old son are gonna LOVE this!!!
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
To be honest, I'm surprised I caught it if I'm reading it right. I catch enough junk at home about mistakes, I don't chare my faux pas on here with the wife
. I know better. All she needs is another jab at me.
. I catch enough junk at home about mistakes, I don't chare my faux pas on here with the wife. I know better. All she needs is another jab at me.