I know this has been beat to death but still having trouble deciding which is best for my truck. Really hated to start another thread on this but kind of need to figure this one out. I have a 1999 Ram 2500 and pull a Wave 26RLS with just over 800lb tongue weight, 7200lb unloaded/ 8600lb loaded. In the late 90's Dodge went with longer softer springs. While it does improve the unloaded ride it really sags when hooked to the trailer, and at the same time allows quite a bit of sway. We do use a WD hitch and dual friction sway bars. I've read all the post on the different systems, air bags/helper springs/Tembram/RAS, but can't decide which would be the best for my use. I'm looking for something to help level the truck when hitched, and also help a little with the sway, without killing the ride. My truck didn't come with factory overload springs so not sure that isn't all I need. While it pulls just fine the way it is setup it sits so low in the rear I have to run an extended receiver bracket to keep the trailer level. That also interferes with the trail gate opening. What do y'all think?

Correctly sized (bar strength equal to 15% of the trailers gvwr) and correctly set up wd system should be all you need. Gives a good ride and keeps tow vehicle level. I'd loose the friction bars and install a duel cam with integrated anti sway or even an equalizer if you want to stay with a friction system. Either one exerts much more force than the friction bars. Good luck / Skip

I agree it should but it doesn't. CW spent quite some time trying to set it up but wound up having to go with the larger offset extension to level the trailer, never did level the truck. Would love to go with a dual cam setup but this is the hitch I have right now. CW thru it in on the deal because the Reese we had was only a 750lb unit and that wasn't enough for this trailer.

Timbrens, or other suspension improvements will help level your tow vehicle.

Aftermarket heavy duty leaf packs will fix it right up. Check SD Truck Springs, or Stengel Bros. for leaf pack kits for your truck.My F350SRW has heavy duty Dayton leaf packs, from Stengel Bros. With 4000 lbs loaded in the bed, the truck sits level and rides solid. :)

Thanks for the replies. SoCalDesertRider, I've kind of been thinking that also. I got it used and it is setup for a 5'er to so it is possible they are worn out, even though it only has about 100k on it. Just hate to do that first and find out it still needs help. TomG2, Timbrens or the RAS are the ones I've been leaning toward because of ease of install and would help with sway at the same time. Plus they can still help even if I do wind up replacing the spring packs.

Load leveling | Good Sam Community

2112
Explorer II
Dec 11, 2013
Plus Timbrens only engage when you carry the load. When not towing it will ride just like it does now. I like mine.
Kennedycamper
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
You could try the Timbrens, They are basically a second spring for the rear suspension.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 11, 2013
Keith Haw wrote:
I know this has been beat to death but still having trouble deciding which is best for my truck. Really hated to start another thread on this but kind of need to figure this one out.

I have a 1999 Ram 2500 and pull a Wave 26RLS with just over 800lb tongue weight, 7200lb unloaded/ 8600lb loaded. In the late 90's Dodge went with longer softer springs. While it does improve the unloaded ride it really sags when hooked to the trailer, and at the same time allows quite a bit of sway. We do use a WD hitch and dual friction sway bars.

I've read all the post on the different systems, air bags/helper springs/Tembram/RAS, but can't decide which would be the best for my use. I'm looking for something to help level the truck when hitched, and also help a little with the sway, without killing the ride. My truck didn't come with factory overload springs so not sure that isn't all I need. While it pulls just fine the way it is setup it sits so low in the rear I have to run an extended receiver bracket to keep the trailer level. That also interferes with the trail gate opening.

What do y'all think?

Well i would think it is time to replace the rear springs, the longer softer I question. I have an 01 2500, that carries a 5er with a 2,000# pin. While it is a 8,800# GVWR with factory overloads, I don't engage them by about an inch.
I think your factory springs are shot.
Keith_Haw
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
Thanks for the replies.
SoCalDesertRider, I've kind of been thinking that also. I got it used and it is setup for a 5'er to so it is possible they are worn out, even though it only has about 100k on it. Just hate to do that first and find out it still needs help.

TomG2, Timbrens or the RAS are the ones I've been leaning toward because of ease of install and would help with sway at the same time. Plus they can still help even if I do wind up replacing the spring packs.
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
Aftermarket heavy duty leaf packs will fix it right up.

Check SD Truck Springs, or Stengel Bros. for leaf pack kits for your truck.

My F350SRW has heavy duty Dayton leaf packs, from Stengel Bros. With 4000 lbs loaded in the bed, the truck sits level and rides solid. :)
TomG2
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
Timbrens, or other suspension improvements will help level your tow vehicle.
Keith_Haw
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
I agree it should but it doesn't. CW spent quite some time trying to set it up but wound up having to go with the larger offset extension to level the trailer, never did level the truck. Would love to go with a dual cam setup but this is the hitch I have right now. CW thru it in on the deal because the Reese we had was only a 750lb unit and that wasn't enough for this trailer.
skipnchar
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
Correctly sized (bar strength equal to 15% of the trailers gvwr) and correctly set up wd system should be all you need. Gives a good ride and keeps tow vehicle level. I'd loose the friction bars and install a duel cam with integrated anti sway or even an equalizer if you want to stay with a friction system. Either one exerts much more force than the friction bars. Good luck / Skip

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