Forum Discussion

silver_ratler's avatar
May 13, 2014

Towing with a Freightliner Sportchassis

We have sold our Dodge 3500 and purchased a Freightliner M2 106 SC. The bed on the truck is set up for a goose neck and is going to need some modification for our 5th wheel.

My question is...... Do I need an air hitch such as the Trailer Saver TS3?? or Would the Fifth Airborne air pin box do the same thing?

The pin box change would be about $2k cheaper.... but would require lowering our hitch at least 6 inches. The TS3 would require lowering the hitch mounting but only about 2 inches.

Of course my concern is the extra stress this truck would be putting on the trailer.... I have heard and read both schools on this and would like some input....Especially from someone that may have tried both ways.

Thank you for any assistance.
  • hone eagle wrote:
    The air bags primary job is to keep the suspension at a pre set level,(the driveline suffers vibrations if the angle varies.) They don't have a soft ride in my expirence .
    Thats why the cab and seat have air ride.



    Mr. Eagle is spot on. The air suspension on an MDT or HDT does not offer a soft ride. The rear suspension is rock solid, transferring the shock from the road directly to your fifth wheel hitch. Get an air hitch to save your trailer. I run a TrailerSaver TSLB2H, but there are others. Your Sportchassis should be set-up to bolt a TrailerSaver right in, at least mine was. I pulled the gooseneck ball out and the TSLB2H mounted perfectly.

    TrailerSaver TSLB2H
  • No experience here either, you bought an M2 and must have a pretty nice trailer. Why not treat it to the best?
  • The air bags primary job is to keep the suspension at a pre set level,(the driveline suffers vibrations if the angle varies.) They don't have a soft ride in my expirence .
    Thats why the cab and seat have air ride.
  • No personal experience, but 10 plus years here on the forum tells me you will need an air ride hitch of some kind.

    Suspension on those trucks is so much stiffer than a pickup. Beats a fifth wheel up good unless an air ride hitch is used.