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

[popeyemth]

The ride and handling were fine with our previous camper before we got the bags so should not change with another of about the same hitch weight.
10 PSI is not much so I hope it won't interfere

[schlep1967]

Trial and error. Start with the minimum 10 lbs in the air bags. You need that so you do not damage the airbags. Then adjust the hitch. If the ride and handling are good you are fine. You can put whatever air you want in the bags as long as you adjust the hitch afterwards. Just like every vehicle you attach that hitch to may have different suspension abilities.

[Terryallan]

chevor wrote:
I don't think so. I see it like this: A weight distribution hitch is used to prevent weight fluctuation at the hitch point while the combination is in motion and shouldn't be used to keep the front tires of the tow vehicle on the ground at stand still. If your to that point the vehicle is overloaded.

Airbags dampen sudden rear axel weight fluctuations. They tend to be more effective the heavier the vehicle is.

Actually. A WDH is designed to return lost weight to the front end. Thus returning steering control, and stability, and eliminating sway.

That is what it does. It distributes weight to the front axle, and to the trailer axles. IF no weight is returned to the front axle. The WDH is NOT adjusted correctly, and is not doing it's job.

[chevor]

I don't think so. I see it like this: A weight distribution hitch is used to prevent weight fluctuation at the hitch point while the combination is in motion and shouldn't be used to keep the front tires of the tow vehicle on the ground at stand still. If your to that point the vehicle is overloaded.

Airbags dampen sudden rear axel weight fluctuations. They tend to be more effective the heavier the vehicle is.

[Bob_Landry]

Rumblejohn wrote:
The WDH's primary function is to distribute the weight. With that done correctly using a set of scales to get your axle weight right, your truck should be close to level. So the 10psi minimum inflation pressure should be right(do this first).
Just my $.02

The purpose of WD is to return the correct amount of weigh to the front end, not level the truck. If the truck ends up level, that's a bonus, but it's unlikely that it will.

[Rumblejohn]

The WDH's primary function is to distribute the weight. With that done correctly using a set of scales to get your axle weight right, your truck should be close to level. So the 10psi minimum inflation pressure should be right(do this first).
Just my $.02

[popeyemth]

skipnchar wrote:
Loose the air bags and adjust a correctly sized wd system. When it's right you won't need them

Sorry Skip I need the bags for my Shadow Cruiser slide-in camper
I did have my WD system set for my Cub Hybrid but haven't pulled the Cub since I got the slide in this spring to use with the boat trailer.
Grandma says that's gonna change so we made a deal for the Coachman.
I believe I did a fair job adjusting the WD for the Cub but don't know what to do about the minimum required air pressure - add it before or after the hitch is adjusted?
Thanks,Mike

[skipnchar]

Loose the air bags and adjust a correctly sized wd system. When it's right you won't need them

[thomasmnile]

popeyemth wrote:
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

I put air springs on my one ton when we were towing a fifth wheel. Have a travel trailer now. When we picked up the TT and had the WD hitch installed and adjusted, the dealer's service dept. told me to bring the truck with the air springs inflated to whatever pressure I would have them set to for towing. Used 30 psi for the fifth wheel, and that seems to work fine for the TT as well. Truck and trailer is level, and the ride is good.

[Terryallan]

Thinkin you should leave the psi in. IF you properly adj the hitch, and then add psi. You would then cancel the effects of the WDH .
Remember. While air bags will level the TV. They do NOT return lost weight to the front steering axle. So you can be level, and still have sway induced by loss of steering control.