Leveling with air bags correctly
After reading forums I did what they said. I think all that I have read have been COMPLETELY wrong. I don't mean to offend anyone, and I'm sure maybe this was mentioned already buried in long string...
Forum Discussion
Didnt want to get into alignment discussion but since u insist…
99 Ram, 4x4 , extended cab, long bed. air bags of course, stock suspension otherwise. I removed the previous front leveling kit since rear was sagging (this before the air bags) so it is back to stock, then I had the alignment done.Dry camper is listed at 1,900 lbs. Trailer hangs on an extension. Trailer is listed as 700lbs and is loaded tongue heavy probably which easily drops bumper another inch. Trailer is lifted 8 inches so is level with truck/hitch.
(I have WD hitch but am not using it currently on this light of trailer since off-roading was possible and I didnt want to mess with WD for that. I may try it for other reasons on next big trip)
Tires in the front were wearing pretty bad, I think "feathering" is the term for when you see on the outside edge the knobs ramp up creating a sawblade effect. i drove half way across the country before I noticed it was getting so bad.I lowered the rear because was all I could think was the difference since I did not hit anything to mis-align the front end. The wear stopped and the vibration soon quit and the tires wore normally after I lowered the rear. I drove the rest of the way to the ocean, then drove back with no further issues - over 5k miles total.
you are right, this little difference seems like it would not even register for throwing anything out. Could it be weight? I doubt such a small difference would change weight on front end.
At the time I did not consider it could be simply toe-in. As you rotate the rear of the truck higher the toe should get more inward or is it less inward, either way toe slightly changes with angles, but should be so minimal that hardly worth considering EXCEPT that these are expensive tires so everything is worth considering.
Like I said, empty ride height with 2,500 lbs in rear created worn tires, but sagging it a little kepr tires happy. Im interested if anyone has real-life experience on this….
99 Ram, 4x4 , extended cab, long bed. air bags of course, stock suspension otherwise. I removed the previous front leveling kit since rear was sagging (this before the air bags) so it is back to stock, then I had the alignment done.Dry camper is listed at 1,900 lbs. Trailer hangs on an extension. Trailer is listed as 700lbs and is loaded tongue heavy probably which easily drops bumper another inch. Trailer is lifted 8 inches so is level with truck/hitch.
(I have WD hitch but am not using it currently on this light of trailer since off-roading was possible and I didnt want to mess with WD for that. I may try it for other reasons on next big trip)
Tires in the front were wearing pretty bad, I think "feathering" is the term for when you see on the outside edge the knobs ramp up creating a sawblade effect. i drove half way across the country before I noticed it was getting so bad.I lowered the rear because was all I could think was the difference since I did not hit anything to mis-align the front end. The wear stopped and the vibration soon quit and the tires wore normally after I lowered the rear. I drove the rest of the way to the ocean, then drove back with no further issues - over 5k miles total.
you are right, this little difference seems like it would not even register for throwing anything out. Could it be weight? I doubt such a small difference would change weight on front end.
At the time I did not consider it could be simply toe-in. As you rotate the rear of the truck higher the toe should get more inward or is it less inward, either way toe slightly changes with angles, but should be so minimal that hardly worth considering EXCEPT that these are expensive tires so everything is worth considering.
Like I said, empty ride height with 2,500 lbs in rear created worn tires, but sagging it a little kepr tires happy. Im interested if anyone has real-life experience on this….
