Air bags or helper springs to a Max Trailering Package TV??

[webejpn]

So i've got a 2015 Silverado 1500 with the max trailering package. Just wondering if anyone has put in air bags or helper springs on that setup and what their thoughts were on it?

Thanks in advance!

[Dayle1]

webejpn wrote:

2112 wrote:
Consider Timbrens. They will help stabilize the ride by providing a more solid frame-axle connection and keeps your springs out of the overload region when towing. They have no affect to your ride when not towing. When not towing they are like they are not there. I have been pleased with them.

Great...now i have a 3rd option to confuse me even more :h

My experience with Timbrens was not so good. It is true that they are out of the picture, unloaded and provide extra support fully loaded. But with partial loads and/or very rough roads, the transition from zero contact to 100% contact was very apparent and bothersome. Swapped them for air bags, worked much smoother.

[alexleblanc]

its all about what your truck can carry, not pull. I have a "1500" series fifth wheel and in no way shape or form would a 1/2 ton do the job and stay under its GVWR or RAWR - Mine is similar in weight to what you just purchased.

for what its worth, its not when your going down the road on a flat easy terrain with no wind that is the concern, its in an emergency situation or coming down a large hill and getting hit with a large gust of wind - that's when you'll quickly find out that you don't have enough truck.

that 5er needs at minimum a 3/4 ton truck to be safely towed and to be honest, if you make the leap to the bigger truck you'll be much happier with the towing performance in general.

[webejpn]

2112 wrote:
Consider Timbrens. They will help stabilize the ride by providing a more solid frame-axle connection and keeps your springs out of the overload region when towing. They have no affect to your ride when not towing. When not towing they are like they are not there. I have been pleased with them.

Great...now i have a 3rd option to confuse me even more :h

[2112]

Consider Timbrens. They will help stabilize the ride by providing a more solid frame-axle connection and keeps your springs out of the overload region when towing. They have no affect to your ride when not towing. When not towing they are like they are not there. I have been pleased with them.

[S_Davis]

With a fifth wheel @11,000 you will be putting at least 2,000lb on the rear axle, what is the rear axle unloaded? Air bags will not take away that mooshy feel and could possible make the truck bounce more, the sweet spot for air bags is to air them up to the point that your overloads are just engauged. This should put you pretty close to level, but if your springs are just too overloade you would be better off upgrading your springs. I tow a gooseneck with a gross of 13,000 with a 2500hd and I was over on tires and the rear was mooshy just like you describe, I did bags and it did not solve the issue.

[lawrosa]

What i'm hoping to accomplish with the air bags or helper springs is to take the bounce out of the rear end. Not the front to back jerk or bounce you sometimes get, but more of the side to side action.
Going down most highways and roads she rides fine. But theres some highway construction that i have to go through that makes it really noticable. It's like going through a roller coaster track right now the way they got those lanes twisting and turning.

I had that. It was like riding a bucking bronco. As soon as I changed the receiver and got rid of the GM unit that attaches to the bumper, it went away.

For whatever reason the gm attachment point created some type of flex from the bumper where you cant adjust the WD properly.

Also a set of bilstein shocks went with that upgrade.

[jarata1]

webejpn wrote:
So i've got a 2015 Silverado 1500 with the max trailering package. Just wondering if anyone has put in air bags or helper springs on that setup and what their thoughts were on it?

Thanks in advance!

You seem determined but you would think after your first post that got 8 pages long f don't do it you would have learned your tow vehicle is way to small

[webejpn]

Jerry, thanks for clarifying while i was MIA last night.

Yes, my tow vehicle is a 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500, crew cab, 5.3L, Max Trailering package. The trailering package includes:

NHT - MAX TRAILERING PACKAGE: * 9.76 REAR AXLE * 3.73 REAR AXLE RATIO * TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER * ENHANCED COOLING RADIATOR * REVISED SHOCK TUNING * HEAVIER DUTY REAR SPRINGS AND INCREASED RGAWR * TRAILERING EQUIPMENT PKG INCL AUTO LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL * WHEELS, 18" BRIGHT MACHINED

My GAWR RR is 4300 lbs.

I have load range E tires.

Right now everything sits pretty darn level.
What i'm hoping to accomplish with the air bags or helper springs is to take the bounce out of the rear end. Not the front to back jerk or bounce you sometimes get, but more of the side to side action.
Going down most highways and roads she rides fine. But theres some highway construction that i have to go through that makes it really noticable. It's like going through a roller coaster track right now the way they got those lanes twisting and turning.

Only reason i'm leaning towards the bags is because i can tune them as needed. Daily driving i can empty them or drop them way down. Mostly normal towing route, i can inflate them lightly just to level things a bit more or to hopefully take any bounce out. Rougher router, raise the pressure a bit more. But now this theory is based on nothing but my assumption of how these things work. Hence the reason i'm asking here.

So what do you think?

Keep in mind we only camp 2-3 (3) day weekends a month.

[MFL]

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29371522.cfm

OP no longer has TT in sig, but planning to tow Artic Wolf in sig, which is a FW. I think his truck will work, if he stays under RAWR. He may or may not need help to level the load.

Jerry

[Grit_dog]

lawrosa wrote:
Whats your issues?

If the GM reciever is still attached to the bumpers I would start there. Then the crappy GM shocks .

Then tow and make a determination.

I'm thinking none of the above. Probably thought it was reasonably inferred it was sagging or heavy.
Either will do exactly what you expect it will. Make the rear suspension stiffer and it will handle that big ole trailer better.
X3 on putting D or E Load heavy LT tires on it too. Will also crisp up the handling and add some factor of safety too.
In other news, if that's an 11klb trailer, that'll be all that truck wants. I got the same pickup right now and it's surprising how well it pulls 10klbs but I've only towed that much on flat ground.

[MitchF150]

Have to agree with Bryan if that's the trailer you are towing with your truck...

Add whatever you feel you need to, but that's a BA trailer!

Good luck!

Mitch

[WNYBob]

2X on tires (probably "P") and then OEM shocks (I went with Blistein's)

I also installed Air-Lift bags, but use them for leveling only.

[carringb]

This is a 35' trailer with a GVWR over 11,000 pounds....

You can keep bolting helper items on your truck, but at the end of the day, it's still a half-ton with half-ton axles, brakes, frame, and powertrain.

[lawrosa]

Whats your issues?

If the GM reciever is still attached to the bumpers I would start there. Then the crappy GM shocks .

Then tow and make a determination.