Air bags and Equalizer????
Wow....I feel like I have been the prodigal son.....first post on RV.NET since 2006. We have had 10 years of sabbatical from RV'ing. But we pick up our new camper in two weeks....and I am stoked!!!!...
Forum Discussion
I think that for clarity the weight distributing hitch should be adjusted to get the front bumper back to or slightly lower than where it is with the truck unloaded and no trailer. If you have done this and the rear bumper is still too low then consider using air bags to bring it up to a comfortable ride height. I do not even try to get the rear to the unloaded position, I like to see the secondary springs at least lightly engaged to stabilize the axle with the towing loads and increase the spring weight. I also feel that the truck is designed to be a little lower with a load in it and drives best that way.
As for the air bags transferring weight, both sides have points. The airbags themselves cannot transfer weight but in lifting the rear end of the truck they are relieving the pressure on the torsion bars, thus reducing the effect of the weight distributing hitch and bringing some weight back to the rear axle. The hitch may need to be re-adjusted to get the front bumper back to the unloaded position. The instructions in my last hitch included the statement that the hitch is for tongue weight while air bags are for bed weight.
I would only take off or relieve the tension on the bars if I needed extra weight on the rear axle for traction. If you are going over big enough stuff to damage the torsion bars you probably are damaging other things as well and need to keep the rear end up for ground clearance also.
As for the air bags transferring weight, both sides have points. The airbags themselves cannot transfer weight but in lifting the rear end of the truck they are relieving the pressure on the torsion bars, thus reducing the effect of the weight distributing hitch and bringing some weight back to the rear axle. The hitch may need to be re-adjusted to get the front bumper back to the unloaded position. The instructions in my last hitch included the statement that the hitch is for tongue weight while air bags are for bed weight.
I would only take off or relieve the tension on the bars if I needed extra weight on the rear axle for traction. If you are going over big enough stuff to damage the torsion bars you probably are damaging other things as well and need to keep the rear end up for ground clearance also.
