Weight Distribution hitch s/u with air bags

[popeyemth]

Made a deal today to buy a Coachman Freedom Express and have never pulled a trailer since we installed air bags.
Any advice appreciated. Do we set up the hitch as normal then add the required 10 PSI ? Or would we be better to leave the 10 PSI in while adjusting the hitch?
Thanks,Mike

[93Cobra2771]

Bob Landry wrote:

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
I find it interesting that no one has mentioned calling the manufacture and asked them about using air bags and the proper adjusting procedure. I purchased and installed my Equalizer brand WDH. I called the Equalizer tech and found them to be very helpful. After three call I was satisfied that I had installed their product properly.

That's because most people don't. They would rather read all of the mis-information posted on line and then post a message asking for help because it didn't work. That's evident by the posts we read about tweaking the hitch, playing with different chain tensions, using a WD hitch to level the truck, and the list goes on.

The proper procedure for using bags is to use them to adjust the level of the vehicle to suit the user, usually level THEN adjust the WD to return the weigh to the front axle that hitching the trailer removes. Many adjust the hitch, then adjust the airbags until the truck "looks right", and then call it good. We just can't seem to get the point across that any time you change the amount of squat on the TV, you change the amount of tilt on the hitch ball and the amount of tension on the bars. Consequently, the WD is never right and we get to continue reading the entertaining posts on here.

BINGO!

[93Cobra2771]

Put the 100 max psi in my bags prior to the load and it would be like a 4" lift in the rear. LOL

[Nvr2loud]

Bob Landry wrote:

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
I find it interesting that no one has mentioned calling the manufacture and asked them about using air bags and the proper adjusting procedure. I purchased and installed my Equalizer brand WDH. I called the Equalizer tech and found them to be very helpful. After three call I was satisfied that I had installed their product properly.

That's because most people don't. They would rather read all of the mis-information posted on line and then post a message asking for help because it didn't work. That's evident by the posts we read about tweaking the hitch, playing with different chain tensions, using a WD hitch to level the truck, and the list goes on.

The proper procedure for using bags is to use them to adjust the level of the vehicle to suit the user, usually level THEN adjust the WD to return the weigh to the front axle that hitching the trailer removes. Many adjust the hitch, then adjust the airbags until the truck "looks right", and then call it good. We just can't seem to get the point across that any time you change the amount of squat on the TV, you change the amount of tilt on the hitch ball and the amount of tension on the bars. Consequently, the WD is never right and we get to continue reading the entertaining posts on here.

+1

Even the instructions on the air bags are ignored. Mine state that you need to inflate the air bags to maximum pressure (35 psi for mine) and then load the vehicle. If too high, reduce the pressure a little at a time until level.

I've seen many people load vehicle, then attempt to inflate air bags to raise the load 😞

[popeyemth]

OP here
After spending 2 1/2 hours adjusting the hitch and bags I have discovered :
10 PSI makes no difference in anything - truck squat/bed height/ride quality/WD
Just not enough to make any difference before or after camper is hitched.
Thanks,Mike
PS I sure wished after the 23rd time I jacked the camper I had sprung for the electric jack ! 🙂

[Bob_Landry]

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
I find it interesting that no one has mentioned calling the manufacture and asked them about using air bags and the proper adjusting procedure. I purchased and installed my Equalizer brand WDH. I called the Equalizer tech and found them to be very helpful. After three call I was satisfied that I had installed their product properly.

That's because most people don't. They would rather read all of the mis-information posted on line and then post a message asking for help because it didn't work. That's evident by the posts we read about tweaking the hitch, playing with different chain tensions, using a WD hitch to level the truck, and the list goes on.

The proper procedure for using bags is to use them to adjust the level of the vehicle to suit the user, usually level THEN adjust the WD to return the weigh to the front axle that hitching the trailer removes. Many adjust the hitch, then adjust the airbags until the truck "looks right", and then call it good. We just can't seem to get the point across that any time you change the amount of squat on the TV, you change the amount of tilt on the hitch ball and the amount of tension on the bars. Consequently, the WD is never right and we get to continue reading the entertaining posts on here.

[TNRIVERSIDE]

I find it interesting that no one has mentioned calling the manufacture and asked them about using air bags and the proper adjusting procedure. I purchased and installed my Equalizer brand WDH. I called the Equalizer tech and found them to be very helpful. After three call I was satisfied that I had installed their product properly.

[93Cobra2771]

10psi prob won't make much of a difference one way or another.

However, it is best to have the psi in the bags PRIOR to adjusting your WDH. Why?

As you add air to your bags, the angle of the truck vs the TT changes. The higher the back goes, the less weight that is transferred.

For example - adjust the WDH with no air in bags. You get it perfect. Now add 10-20psi which raises the rear of the truck back to unloaded height in the back. You now have more angle between the TV/TT, and less weight will be transferred back to the front. On lighter weight TT, it's probably not that big of a deal. But heavier units, it can cause the front to rise more than you like.

When I added bags to mine, the front of my truck raised an additional 1/2" before I readjusted my WDH. In my case, I ended up adding an additional washer to my hitch head (this was prior to my Hensley Hitch).

Anytime the angle between the TV/TT changes, the weight distribution changes. That's why we raise the TV/TT up with the tongue jack during hitch up - makes it easier to snap up the chains into position.

[Nvr2loud]

Passin Thru wrote:
I am not going to argue with all of you as I only have 2.4 million miles, majority w/airride. Let all the air out, adjust for load height. Then you can add air, usually takes about 30-35 lb, your mileage may vary. Test to see if you feel like they are working. When you are runing w/o the trailer, load tp 20-25 for a decent ride, you'll be able to tell because it will jar your bones if it's not right. I ahve always done my WDH first. Watch for me and Yoda with my Arctic Fox, he rides on the back stairs and waves at everyone.

Agreed.

I run airbags in the coils of my GMC Acadia and they absolutely help even when running a WDH. They level the Acadia again and they dampen the load when hitting bumps.

If the airbags are fully inflated (35 psi) and I don't have a heavy load, the back end skips across the road!

[pauliwalnutz]

I would set up the WDH with only the minimum of air so that the weight gets distributed to the front axles. Add air to level things off if needed.

I have a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 with the coil spring suspension that is a little soft to begin with. With a hitch weight of about 860lbs + the extra weight of any stuff in the box the WDH did not quite level things off. This spring I added the airbags and have been putting about 20-25lbs. I have distributed my weight as much as possible to the front, I am level when fully loaded, I have no sway and it improved my ride quite a bit.

[schlep1967]

Passin Thru wrote:
I am not going to argue with all of you as I only have 2.4 million miles, majority w/airride. Let all the air out, adjust for load height. Then you can add air, usually takes about 30-35 lb, your mileage may vary. Test to see if you feel like they are working. When you are runing w/o the trailer, load tp 20-25 for a decent ride, you'll be able to tell because it will jar your bones if it's not right. I ahve always done my WDH first. Watch for me and Yoda with my Arctic Fox, he rides on the back stairs and waves at everyone.

You would think with all that experience you would realize that what works for your setup will not work for everyone elses. WD hitches are adjustable because different vehicles are capable of carrying different loads. By adjusting the hitch to match the suspension you get a more controlled and level ride. If you adjust the hitch to the suspension without air in it, and then add air, you are taking the hitch out of adjustment for the "new" current suspension.

Since the OP has said his truck can handle the trailer without the airbags the best option would be to put the minimum amount of air in the bags that he can to prevent damage to the bags and then adjust the hitch to match that suspension.

[Passin_Thru]

I am not going to argue with all of you as I only have 2.4 million miles, majority w/airride. Let all the air out, adjust for load height. Then you can add air, usually takes about 30-35 lb, your mileage may vary. Test to see if you feel like they are working. When you are runing w/o the trailer, load tp 20-25 for a decent ride, you'll be able to tell because it will jar your bones if it's not right. I ahve always done my WDH first. Watch for me and Yoda with my Arctic Fox, he rides on the back stairs and waves at everyone.

[goducks10]

Load up the slide in camper and all gear you take in the truck, air up the bags to return to desired height. Hitch up TT, attach WD bars and adjust truck again with WD bars.

[popeyemth]

Correct we don't need bags for the Travel Trailer
They were put on to level the truck with an 8 ft slide-in on a 6.5 bed

[Wishin]

It sounds like you really don't need the air bags for the travel trailer. If true,then just put 10 psi in the bags before you adjust your hitch and leave the pressure at 10 psi. If you feel you want to add air later, you'll then need to re-adjust the hitch to make sure you're putting enough weight back on the front axle. Pumping up the air bags after the hitch is adjusted will reduce the effectiveness of the w/d hitch which is why you need to re-adjust the w/d hitch if you change the air pressure.