We're seeing more and more questions regarding weight distribution hitches being used with air suspension equipment. If you do a google search on the subject, you'll find some vehicle manufacturers, tell folks to disable the air ride, adjust WDH, and turn the air system back on. Then there are some, 2015 GMC Yukon is one of these, that tell folks to let air ride adjust itself, then install the bars. 2014 Ford Expedition (owners manual), actually says "hitch up without WD bars, drive 20 - 25 MPH for 2 miles, then install and adjust the bars". I wonder how many folks are doing this?Here is an air equipment company, telling folks to disable the air suspension, while adjusting WDH. LinkMany WDH manufacturers (as do many vehicle manufacturers), discuss using fender well measurements as an indicator of front axle weight restoration. I would think, if the air suspension has already leveled the vehicle, wouldn't fender well measurements be useless?Other than scale weights, how would one know if you had propper tension on the bars?Kind of difficult to answer peoples questions about using the two systems together.Anybody else noticed the confusion?

I don't have an answer, but I'm subscribing to see the replies. My brother tows with a Roadmaster wagon w/ load leveling suspension and we debate this topic all the time. He disables it and uses the WDH to get it sitting right (eyeballs it). I leave the load leveling system on my Avalanche on when I tow and it compensates without having to put 10,000 lbs. on the weight distribution bars (actually I don't really even need them once the compressor is done running).

I think the standard answer is to read your manual and follow the directions. Most folks never actually weigh their travel trailers. The mfgrs needed something to get the job done and if you are careful, you will come close enough using the measure the fenders method.

I will readily admit that I am ignorant... but what does it matter which way is first? It seems to me that if you air up the bags first you are taking weight off the front. If you put the bars on first and then air up, then you are taking weight off the front. I guess my point is, I don't understand the effect of air bags on a WDH. It seems that either way you do it, the bags are still putting more weight on the rear axle, which therefore reduces weight on the front axle.

spoon059 wrote:I guess my point is, I don't understand the effect of air bags on a WDH. It seems that either way you do it, the bags are still putting more weight on the rear axle, which therefore reduces weight on the front axle.The important thing is to get the front-axle load correct -- then, the rear axle load will take care of itself.One thing is certain -- if the WDH is adjusted first and then the air suspension is allowed to raise the rear of the TV, the lifting of the rear will cause a reduction of the load transfer to the front axle.If the TV's "air suspension" system is designed to keep only the rear end at a constant ride height, then one way to use the WDH in conjunction with air suspension is to:1) adjust the WDH so the front-axle load is slightly greater than the unhitched value, then2) allow the air suspension to raise the rear -- causing the load on the front end to be reduced.If the WDH was initially "over adjusted" by the correct amount, activation of the air suspension will cause the front-end load to be reduced to the desired amount. This might require some trial and error adjustment of the WDH.Ron

My concern (per my other post) is with the GMC auto level adjustment. The manual for the Yukon says you should allow the vehicle to level prior to adjusting the WD hitch. I think this is best so that the rear suspension is a bit stiffer however it is strange adjusting WD bars to a vehicle that is already level. Seems like you are lifting the vehicle even further. With that said, I guess the vehicle will adjust itself again if the rear end is lifted too far. Definitely need to read the owners manual as the different manufacturers seem to have different opinions.

WDH with air suspension, no standard answer? | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

handye9
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2015
turbojimmy wrote:

EDIT: Just looked at my Avalanche manual. It says to drive 2 miles with the air suspension on before adjusting a WDH.

That's the same as 2014 Expedition. Ford says those two miles, need to be at 20 - 25 MPH.

How many people, do you suppose, are actually doing their two miles ?
turbojimmy
Explorer
Apr 21, 2015
kfp673 wrote:
With that said, I guess the vehicle will adjust itself again if the rear end is lifted too far. Definitely need to read the owners manual as the different manufacturers seem to have different opinions.

If its too high the air suspension will vent putting the tension on the WDH. End result would seem to be the same though?

EDIT: Just looked at my Avalanche manual. It says to drive 2 miles with the air suspension on before adjusting a WDH.
kfp673
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2015
My concern (per my other post) is with the GMC auto level adjustment. The manual for the Yukon says you should allow the vehicle to level prior to adjusting the WD hitch. I think this is best so that the rear suspension is a bit stiffer however it is strange adjusting WD bars to a vehicle that is already level. Seems like you are lifting the vehicle even further. With that said, I guess the vehicle will adjust itself again if the rear end is lifted too far. Definitely need to read the owners manual as the different manufacturers seem to have different opinions.
Ron_Gratz
Explorer
Apr 21, 2015
spoon059 wrote:
I guess my point is, I don't understand the effect of air bags on a WDH. It seems that either way you do it, the bags are still putting more weight on the rear axle, which therefore reduces weight on the front axle.
The important thing is to get the front-axle load correct -- then, the rear axle load will take care of itself.

One thing is certain -- if the WDH is adjusted first and then the air suspension is allowed to raise the rear of the TV, the lifting of the rear will cause a reduction of the load transfer to the front axle.

If the TV's "air suspension" system is designed to keep only the rear end at a constant ride height, then one way to use the WDH in conjunction with air suspension is to:
1) adjust the WDH so the front-axle load is slightly greater than the unhitched value, then
2) allow the air suspension to raise the rear -- causing the load on the front end to be reduced.

If the WDH was initially "over adjusted" by the correct amount, activation of the air suspension will cause the front-end load to be reduced to the desired amount. This might require some trial and error adjustment of the WDH.

Ron
spoon059
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2015
I will readily admit that I am ignorant... but what does it matter which way is first? It seems to me that if you air up the bags first you are taking weight off the front. If you put the bars on first and then air up, then you are taking weight off the front.

I guess my point is, I don't understand the effect of air bags on a WDH. It seems that either way you do it, the bags are still putting more weight on the rear axle, which therefore reduces weight on the front axle.
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Apr 20, 2015
I think the standard answer is to read your manual and follow the directions. Most folks never actually weigh their travel trailers. The mfgrs needed something to get the job done and if you are careful, you will come close enough using the measure the fenders method.
turbojimmy
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
I don't have an answer, but I'm subscribing to see the replies. My brother tows with a Roadmaster wagon w/ load leveling suspension and we debate this topic all the time. He disables it and uses the WDH to get it sitting right (eyeballs it). I leave the load leveling system on my Avalanche on when I tow and it compensates without having to put 10,000 lbs. on the weight distribution bars (actually I don't really even need them once the compressor is done running).

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WDH with air suspension, no standard answer?

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