I just purchased my first FW last week. When hooking up, the rear of my truck squats around 4-5 inches. I have towed the FW on a short camping trip and the FW towed very nice, but the rear does sag quite a bit compared to my last TT set up. I bought some Timbrens and installed them earlier on this week. They absolutely ruined the way my truck drove unloaded so I didn't even try to tow with them. How many on here are running air bags? From the pics in the "Your Rig" section everyone seems to be pretty level in their towing. Do they ride rough when towing?

I do not need any suspension help. Mine only squats 1-1 1/2 inches, depending how heavy I am loaded. If you are dropping 4-5 inches, yes, I would add bags. If you ever towed at night, you would be blinding oncoming traffic.Jerry

Well bags may be in order, but that 5er should not squat your TV 4" to 5"! You must have ordered your TV with the Max Smooth Ride package rather than a tow or payload package. :SWeightsUnloaded Vehicle Weight 8,300Dry Hitch Weight 1,515Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 9,950Cargo Carrying Capacity 1,650Even at GVWR, the pin should not exceed between 2,000# and 2,200#. Really should not cause that much squat.

Howdid the timbrens ruin your ride when they are just a overload stop not in use unless towing?:h

Maybe the truck doesn't sag that much, but it does sag. I have the front leveled a little bit so that makes it look a little worse than it is. There is still a 1.25 in rake.The Timbrens were installed without the spacer disc provided. Without the disc installed there was a 1.5 in space for suspension travel. When I would hit a bump or a bridge expansion it would feel like the truck was bottoming out on its frame. The truck is a 2006 with 120k mi. Could my leaf springs be worn out?

I would add the air bags --- they are good to have. See my signature line. Our trailer has a pin weight of 2975 lbs. I have the ride rite air bags and only keep 20 lbs of air in them. They keep the truck level and mainly keeps it from bottoming out when we hit a hard bump in the road.Enjoy the road. We do.bigdon68

Do I need airbags? | Good Sam Community

55 Replies

bigdon68
Explorer
Apr 06, 2016
I would add the air bags --- they are good to have. See my signature line. Our trailer has a pin weight of 2975 lbs. I have the ride rite air bags and only keep 20 lbs of air in them. They keep the truck level and mainly keeps it from bottoming out when we hit a hard bump in the road.

Enjoy the road. We do.

bigdon68
davisenvy
Explorer
Apr 06, 2016
Maybe the truck doesn't sag that much, but it does sag. I have the front leveled a little bit so that makes it look a little worse than it is. There is still a 1.25 in rake.

The Timbrens were installed without the spacer disc provided. Without the disc installed there was a 1.5 in space for suspension travel. When I would hit a bump or a bridge expansion it would feel like the truck was bottoming out on its frame.
The truck is a 2006 with 120k mi. Could my leaf springs be worn out?
newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2016
Howdid the timbrens ruin your ride when they are just a overload stop not in use unless towing?:h
rhagfo
Explorer III
Apr 06, 2016
Well bags may be in order, but that 5er should not squat your TV 4" to 5"! You must have ordered your TV with the Max Smooth Ride package rather than a tow or payload package. :S

Weights
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 8,300
Dry Hitch Weight 1,515
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 9,950
Cargo Carrying Capacity 1,650

Even at GVWR, the pin should not exceed between 2,000# and 2,200#. Really should not cause that much squat.
MFL
Nomad II
Apr 06, 2016
I do not need any suspension help. Mine only squats 1-1 1/2 inches, depending how heavy I am loaded. If you are dropping 4-5 inches, yes, I would add bags. If you ever towed at night, you would be blinding oncoming traffic.

Jerry

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Do I need airbags?

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