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bachldrs
Dodge Dakota
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7/05/2010
10:45:49
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 Subject: Another trailer towing question
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Message:
I have frequently towed a 4000# trailer with my '99 Dakota 318
4X4 with five-speed manual. No factory towing package,
although I have a solid frame hitch and electric brakes. Not ideal
but it works well, except...
The trailer drops the rear end of the truck considerably and my
wife (who has a bad back) complains about the ride. Would I best
solve this problem with overload springs, a Reese or Equalizer
hitch, or what?
What a great truck!
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yea
Dodge Dakota
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7/05/2010
10:57:26
| RE: Another trailer towing question
IP: Logged
Message:
Here's the kit's I've used in the past however, No
idea if they will have it for your make/model/year
truck. (search through the pages and/or write or
call them)
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Keyw
ordSearchCmd?
storeId=10001&catalogId=10002&langId=-
1&N=0&Ntk=all&Jnar=0&Ne=1%2B2%2B3%2B1147708&search
Term=helper+springs
Decent price on these kits.
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Bucket
GenII
7/06/2010
11:40:47
| RE: Another trailer towing question
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Message:
I put air-ride airbags on mine, when i hook up the trailer i pump em up till its level then when i'm rolling empty i deflate em...they work perfect, and were cheap too and easy to install.
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bachldrs
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2010
22:10:41
| RE: Another trailer towing question
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Message:
Many thanks to both of you. Looks like I'll go with the air bags. I'll
have a look at JEGS or Summit Racing, or any other source that's
recommended.
Thanks again!
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yea
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/07/2010
15:53:57
| RE: Another trailer towing question
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Message:
You're welcome, Stop back after install and let us
know if the problem is solved.
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bachldrs
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/08/2010
09:52:39
| RE: Another trailer towing question
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Message:
Many thanks to both of you. Looks like I'll go with the air bags. I'll
have a look at JEGS or Summit Racing, or any other source that's
recommended.
Thanks again!
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Clarence
Dodge Dakota
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7/11/2010
07:48:31
|  RE: Another trailer towing question
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Message:
What is it she doesn't like about the ride?
If the trailer is having any effect on the ride other than the different ride height, it would be better addressed with an equilizer hitch.
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bachldrs
Dodge Dakota
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7/11/2010
10:45:52
| RE: Another trailer towing question
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Message:
Clarence - thanks for your thoughts. Come to think of it, in
addition to dropping the rear of the truck by four or five inches,
the problem is mostly the vertical "see-sawing" of the trailer
(front-to-back). The tongue goes up and down, exaggerating
bumps and creating a second wave of vertical motion as the
trailer rides over a bump after the truck.
As I write this, I realize newer, tougher shocks could possibly
help too, although the truck rides very comfortably without the
trailer, with no bounce.
The truck does not bottom out - even on a severe bump - but
I'm sure that the tongue-weight of the trailer forces the rear
springs to a steady-state of compression where there is little
travel and resiliency remaining to cushion the bumps. If an
equalizer hitch would raise the rear springs and make the
truck/trailer combination ride more as one vehicle rather than
two, it might be worth considering.
Further thoughts?
Many thanks.
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Bucket
GenII
7/11/2010
15:56:33
| RE: Another trailer towing question
IP: Logged
Message:
You ever notice that cement trucks and semi's run airbags?
It changes the ride to suit the load. Now I'm not saying a
ride leveler won't do the job either, I just think the airbags
are more versatile. And once installed, less hassle hooking
up and disconnecting the trailer, I tow three different trailers
And its the perfect solution, I haven't had to change anything
since.
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Clarence
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/25/2010
09:25:14
| RE: Another trailer towing question
IP: Logged
Message:
You ever notice that cement trucks don't tow anything? This would be better addressed with an equilizer hitch.
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bachldrs
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/25/2010
23:14:46
| RE: Another trailer towing question
IP: Logged
Message:
Well, lotsa conflicting advice: equalizing hitch or air bags. ' Got
some local advice too. Given the nature of this problem - the
trailer causing the truck to bounce multiple times over one bump
due to the trailer pitching up and down on a bump over which
the truck had already passed, I finally opted for an equalizing
hitch. That really solved the problem. My wife now thinks the
truck rides better with the loaded trailer (we just drove it about
350 miles) than it does without! I'm not sure of that logic, but
the problem is solved. Could the air bags have done just as well
- or better? Guess I may never know. But this does work. Truck
and trailer are now both level and go over bumps as one unit
rather than two articulated ones.
Bottom line: it's a bit of a fuss but it works and I'm happy.
Thanks, everybody!
Allen
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Clarence
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/31/2010
08:32:30
|  RE: Another trailer towing question
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Message:
The air bags would not have done as well. The reason the truck rides better is that most trucks have a suspension that is tuned for carrying a load -so it will ride less stiffly when it has some weight in it. Ask anyone you know with a heavier duty truck (3/4 ton and up) if it doesn't ride better with a load. If they have half a clue they will say yes - it takes the harshness out of the spring rate. The equilizer spreads this weight over both ends of the truck - something the air bags would not have done.
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bachldrs
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/31/2010
14:16:23
|  RE: Another trailer towing question
IP: Logged
Message:
It's a Putnam 6000# (600# tongue weight) equalizing hitch and
we've now completed the return 350-mile leg of our trip. I can now
fairly announce that the problem is solved.
Again, thanks to all for your help!
Allen
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