Truck squat question

[SUMRX4]

How much does the rear of your truck squat once hitched and landing gear are up? Never owned a 5er before so just curious.

[handsome51]

I have a 2001 ford F250 7.3 diesel with a 8ft bed. I have hewing helper springs on the rear. I have a generator, air hitch,37gallon fuel tank in the bed. When hitched I have a little over 3,100 pounds hitch weight. And when you look at my truck it is just a fraction above level.Been towing my 5th wheel this august for 16 years. And never had a problem.

[Cummins12V98]

SUMRX4 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
If you have not owned the RV long just wait they mysteriously gain weight.

So true in many cases and it’s easy to do but the wife and I always try to stay with minimal stuff. If it doesn’t get used at least once every few trips it’s gone. House is the same way.
Plus with this rig I can’t because I realize I can overload my truck if I’m not careful.

Our RV weighed 18,075# at the factory. Dealer added my 6500 Gen at around 400#. My RV after 6 years weighs 24,000#. Does not seem possible but the numbers don't lie!

[MFL]

If you are adding 3,160 to your rear axle, you would still be under your RAWR. This would mean your rear springs are capable of carrying that load. I'm sure you know that. 🙂 If you want to keep the truck, closer to level, additional spring support will do that.

Jerry

[SUMRX4]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
If you have not owned the RV long just wait they mysteriously gain weight.

So true in many cases and it’s easy to do but the wife and I always try to stay with minimal stuff. If it doesn’t get used at least once every few trips it’s gone. House is the same way.
Plus with this rig I can’t because I realize I can overload my truck if I’m not careful.

[Cummins12V98]

If you have not owned the RV long just wait they mysteriously gain weight.

[SUMRX4]

As loaded currently I’m at 3,160lbs rear axle difference between loaded/hitched and unloaded

[Cummins12V98]

rhagfo wrote:

SUMRX4 wrote:
Have a 21 GMC 3500 SRW and a 21 KZ 387FLF. I’m within my trucks weight limits but just curious what was typical. Having never towed a 5th before I didn’t know what to expect. I’m considering adding Timbrens just to keep it level.

Well are you sure you are within limits? Have you scaled your TV ready to go with all passengers? Have you weighed the combination?

16,200# GVWR 22% of that puts pin at 3,564#, + hitch, + stuff in bed.

IMHO that is too much RV for his truck!

[Cummins12V98]

way2roll wrote:
Mine squats to level. Not sure the amount, probably 3". Truck beds are a little higher than level to begin with to compensate for a load.

That is EXACTLY how it should ride and at that stance you are on the overloads giving a better ride. Big mistake people make is adding bags and airing truck to ride at the same stance loaded as unloaded.

[Cummins12V98]

rhagfo wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
ZERO!!!

Show off!!

That is one thing I could not find in a used unit.

I was wondering if anyone was going to call me out on that statement. 😉

YES I have the factory rear air ride system and LOVE it! Top of back corner of the bed is 55" empty and 55" with my 6k pin weight pressing down. Truly an awesome system.

[valhalla360]

rhagfo wrote:

SUMRX4 wrote:
Have a 21 GMC 3500 SRW and a 21 KZ 387FLF. I’m within my trucks weight limits but just curious what was typical. Having never towed a 5th before I didn’t know what to expect. I’m considering adding Timbrens just to keep it level.

Well are you sure you are within limits? Have you scaled your TV ready to go with all passengers? Have you weighed the combination?

16,200# GVWR 22% of that puts pin at 3,564#, + hitch, + stuff in bed.

Beat me to it.

If you are up at 25% pin weight, that's north of 4000lb out of the trucks payload.

5ers are usually in the 20-25% range for pin weight.

Of course it depends on how much sag you have. Usually they sit a little high in the rear empty so an inch or two of squat usually just gets the truck close to level. If your headlights are scanning the treetops when loaded, airbags/sumo/timbrens are options to limit squat...this presumes you aren't over the weight limits for the truck.

[MFL]

JIMNLIN wrote: "Not all LDTs have the same suspension even in lets say a 250/2500 size...even in the same brand."

^^My 250, a good example...It has heavier coils upfront, and an extra spring on rear suspension. It sits fairly level empty, and not much different hitched. May drop an inch or two at most, measured at the top of TG.

Jerry

[rhagfo]

Never measured the Ram 3500 DRW, it sits a little tail high with the 5er attached, seems to drop a bit. I think once it starts engaging the overloads it slows way down. Maybe I will measure next time.

[way2roll]

Mine squats to level. Not sure the amount, probably 3". Truck beds are a little higher than level to begin with to compensate for a load.

[JIMNLIN]

SUMRX4 wrote:
How much does the rear of your truck squat once hitched and landing gear are up? Never owned a 5er before so just curious.

Not all LDTs have the same suspension even in lets say a 250/2500 size...even in the same brand.
My current 3rd gen 2wd 2500 Dodge/Cummins has no aux rear upper over load spring pack and sags a good 3.5"-4" with 2680 lbs in the bed. Even with 1800 lbs of redi-mix in the bed I still had to add SuperSprings.

Previous 2nd gen 2wd Dodge/Cummins had one more leaf in the main pack and the aux upper over load springs. Same trailer dropped the trucks rear 1.5"- 2".
All dims are my actual tape measurements.