Forum Discussion

rsaylor3's avatar
rsaylor3
Explorer
Apr 21, 2015

Bilstein 5100- Ride Height Adjustables and towing?

I have 43,000 miles on my 2013 Silverado 1500 z71 4x4 and think it's time for new shocks. I have always towed a boat and now tow my camper and I think with the LT tires the shocks have seen better days.

I have two questions. First, will bringing the front of the truck up slightly for a more leveled look affect the ride when towing? I don't plan on leveling it completely, but maybe taking an 1" in the front to get rid of some of the rake. 2.5" would be level so I will maintain some rake for when towing.

Second question is regarding the ride while towing the camper. I'm expecting a little more controlled ride and less bouncing around with these. Am I right to expect this?
Tow Vehicles

6 Replies

  • N-Trouble's avatar
    N-Trouble
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2015
    The Texan wrote:
    GM makes a special kit to level the truck and it does NOT affect any towing or ride of the truck. Yes, I have the level kit on my truck.

    The second I am still toying with. I can control the rebound some with hitch weight, but that should not be. Going to a stronger aftermarket shock soon, to see if that will help.


    Without assist, how can you be level empty and not be nose-high when towing?
  • jus2shy's avatar
    jus2shy
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2015
    I had bilstein 5100's on my F-150. I raised my front end 1.75". They have keyed areas on the shock where you can set the lower perch of the spring, effectively raising the front end as high as you want (up to 2"). I felt it was a much better quality level than using something like coil spacers. Using spacers only, it felt like my truck wallowed incessantly. Using the Bilsteins, I had better dampening and it also had more suspension travel on there (basically a little over an additional inch on bounding, it had about the same amount of droop as stock though).
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2015
    That's kinda cool! I will have to check them out and see how they work. Thanks for the info!

    The ride was day and night on my dmax. The biggest is the difference on the rebound. Bilsteins really got it right.
  • rsaylor3's avatar
    rsaylor3
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2015
    The 5100 fronts are similar to a coilover but use the factory spring. They adjust for up to 2.5" I think.

    Thanks for the reply, the ride was the most important part for me.
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2015
    GM makes a special kit to level the truck and it does NOT affect any towing or ride of the truck. Yes, I have the level kit on my truck.

    The second I am still toying with. I can control the rebound some with hitch weight, but that should not be. Going to a stronger aftermarket shock soon, to see if that will help.
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2015
    #1 How are you going to adjust ride height with shocks unless they are coil overers, (and they aren't)? :h

    #2 Yes, it will make a ton of difference. GM got the compression about right but missed the rebound by about 50 miles. :S

About Travel Trailer Group

44,056 PostsLatest Activity: Nov 19, 2013