I have 2014 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.7 Eng. 30 ft Autumn Rideg trailer . Tongue weight 900 lb. equalizer hitch. All hooked up the rear of truck is down about 4 inches. Folks have suggested Firestone airbags, stronger springs, etc. looking for help from folks who have experienced this and the ways you cured problem and got your dodge 1500 approx level. Thanks

It sounds like you may need to tighten up your spring bars.How much does the back lift when you set the spring bars?

Be certain your weight distribution hitch is adjusted correctly and don't worry about rear sag. It's supposed to sag when loaded.Read this;http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/14265335.cfmDo this;http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17730894.cfm

Read at least the first post in each of the links beemerphile1 posted. You should make sure the front axle weight is the same with WD as it is unhitched. That should get your rear end near 2" lower than unhitched height and close to level.

With my spring bars I could raise the back of the truck almost to the point where there was no load on the springs. Of course it took a long pipe as a lever to get the spring bars to lock in place. I only did this as a test once just to see if I could. So try adjusting the spring bars tighter to see if you can lift it some.

Look at my signature. I have more tongue weight than you and my truck tows level. Adjust your hitch. BTW you may have more tw than you think or did you weigh it?

Suspension Question | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

goducks10
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015
Glad you got it sorted out. Probably saved some money and hassle not needing airbags.
Nvr2loud
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2015
I personally would avoid air bags inside the coil springs, I have AirLift bags installed in my Acadia and they only last approx. one year before splitting. I have never had so many problems with AirLifts on leaf springs, but they seem to be weak for coil springs. I have heard that the Firestone bags are even worse for wear.

It might be the cold temperatures I'm exposing my AirLifts to daily up here, but I will never purchase them again for coil springs.
augustpilot
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015
UPDATE!!! Thanks again for all the information. Took my unit into a business yesterday. They only do hitches, were trained in the load leveler hitch install. They took all the measurements. Hooked up and unhooked. When they finished the job, my truck was down 2 inches in rear, stayed same in front, truck fender measurements are the same in front and rear, also trailer is level. Happy with setup.
Huntindog
Explorer
Apr 06, 2015
Pickup trucks are different than other TVs such as SUVs. Most pickups are not level when empty. The bed is higher than the front. This is because pickups are designed to carry a substantial load in the bed. SUVs for example are not... Their payload carrying design generally is for a more evenly distrbuted load. That is why they sit more level when empty.

So a pickup sagging in the rear compared to empty is not necessairly cause for concern. Heck my one ton dually drops a few inches when loaded up. It is designed to. As others have said, the front axle weight is the key. You want to maintain at least as much weight on the front axle when hitched up as what it has unhitched. Different vehicles have a variety of measurements to replicate actual scaled weights for this. Read your manual to see what yours says. Or take it to the scales and get the exact numbers.
augustpilot
Explorer
Apr 06, 2015
Thanks everyone for all the help, have manual and all the info that you have provided, start work on it tomorrow.
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
Weigh the truck and trailer and make sure you are legal gross wt for your truck. Adjust hitch so the front tires are the same distance from the fender as when trailer is unhooked. I have Airlift on the rear and Firestone 1003 airshocks on the front of my pickup. They are easy to install.
sounds like you are over GVWR.
DustyR
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
Major Dad wrote:
augustpilot wrote:
I have 2014 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.7 Eng. 30 ft Autumn Rideg trailer . Tongue weight 900 lb. equalizer hitch. All hooked up the rear of truck is down about 4 inches. Folks have suggested Firestone airbags, stronger springs, etc. looking for help from folks who have experienced this and the ways you cured problem and got your dodge 1500 approx level. Thanks

Here's the manual with step by step instructions. I would first check the inside of the driver's side door to see if your Ram model has enough payload for that trailer's loaded tongue weight. The unloaded tongue weight of my 33.5' trailer is nearly 1000lbs unloaded, and my 2010 Ram 2500 Megacab tows my loaded trailer almost exactly level. Without the spring bars, the rear end squats significantly. The manual shows you how to measure and adjust your weight distribution bars if the rear end is squatting and front end rides high.Equalizer manual.

X-2

I have had this conversation a number of times, follow the vehicle mfg's instructions along with the hitch setup instructions. This will get you in the ball park, followed with some slight adjustments for a safe vehicle towing.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
Does anyone ever read their owners manual anymore for the correct set up? Try it.
gtkato
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
I have the HD coil springs and shocks. I added the "AirLift" adjustable 1000lb air bags that insert into the springs. Also added the Timbren Helper springs that engage after 1 1/2" of sag in the rear. The Ram rides perfectly level.
pira114
Explorer II
Apr 04, 2015
The Ram's rear springs are well known for sagging. I'd adjust the WDH and make sure it's correct. But I'd also add the air bags.