Other than price, is it better to use air bags or a WD hitch if you need to handle squat in a TV? I've been eyeing some adjustable air spring kits. Seems like a much nicer idea to have an adjustable suspension rather than have to hook up a WD, but don't know if performance is different or changes any other handling characteristics while towing.

A weight distribution hitch distributes the weight to the front of the truck and back to the trailer. Air bags don't do anything but lift the back of the truck up. Like apples and oranges.

Yes. Using both in tandem was nice. But be sure to set the wdh before you inflate the bags.

Like K says. The air bags will level the TV. But the steering / front axle will still be light, and would in all likelihood cause sway. That is what a WDH actually does. It returns steering control to the driver by returning lost weight to the steering axle. That it levels the TV, and TT is a side benefit. Air bags don't do any thing to help return steering control.

You need to read the info on a WD hitch and air bags, no comparison on what each does.

I agree they are not the same thing. I would get a good WDH and if it still sags then you can add the AB's.

Difference of Air Bags over WD hitch? | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

marquette
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
Agreeing to the WDH and air bags having separate purposes would the proper loading sequence be to load the 4- wheeler in the bed, adjust air bags to level truck, then attach trailer and adjust WDH?
Winnebago_Bob
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
wandering1 wrote:
You need to read the info on a WD hitch and air bags, no comparison on what each does.

^This. One has nothing to do with the other.

Google is your friend.
BenK
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
Air bags/bladders/etc are "helper" springs...no different than "add-a-leaf', coil, etc...suppliment to the OEM rear suspension spring system. They increase the rear axle spring rate and rate/travel curve

WD Hitch (WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION Hitch) system does NOT increase the rear spring rate....but moves the trailer TONGUE weight (distribute) from the TV rear suspension over to the TV front suspension. A percentage is distributed back onto the trailer tongue

Air bags DO NOT distribute weight...just holds up more weight. They can re-orient the attitude of the TV if the weight on the rear axle compresses the rear suspension (squat)

Think of these two as INDEPENDENT ADJUSTMENTS that interact with the TV suspension
Dave_Mck
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
I disagree with almost everyone on this subject. I am no expert, I have been towing for four years and have logged about 8,000 miles. I am only speaking from my personal experience. I have a WD hitch and airbags. The first year I only ran with the WD hitch and added the airbags the second year. When I added the airbags my steering was better, air bags did help my steering. When I added the airbags my rear end was stiffer, it helped eliminate proposing and improved handling. Airbags aren't there just to make your truck look right, they do serve a purpose. Airbags should not be used instead of a WD hitch, only as an aid to them. This is my experience, I'm not trying to prove anything, start a debate, or change anyone's mind.
APT
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Marquette, yes it does. Any weight added behind the rear axle (such as trailer tongue weight) acts as a lever. Most weight in the truck bed is centered more directly on the rear axle, so a WDH will not help that.
marquette
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Does it make a difference if the squat is caused by hitch weight or weight in the bed? For example, with the trailer hitched the truck and trailer are level but then adding a 4-wheeler in the bed. If the weight is in the bed will the WDH help or would air bags be a better choice?
gijoecam
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
chevor wrote:
I have pulled enough miles to know how they behave.

But clearly the OP does not, hence the reason for the question. Airbags are nothing more than fancy springs. Will they combat squat? Yes. But that's ALL they will do. The point we have been trying to communicate is that the goal isn't to eliminate squat, it's to restore weight to the steer axle and provide sway control; two things air bags are completely incapable of accomplishing.
chevor
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
I have pulled enough miles to know how they behave.
gijoecam
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
chevor wrote:
Air bags dampen the shock of weight fluctuation where they are placed. If pressure in bags are too high it can cause sway issue. I still prefer air bags over WDH.

They perform two entirely different functions. Air bags are nothing but fancy springs and have no inherent anti-sway or sway-producing characteristics.
chevor
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Air bags dampen the shock of weight fluctuation where they are placed. If pressure in bags are too high it can cause sway issue. I still prefer air bags over WDH.