Do I need airbags for towing my travel trailer?

David776895 · Sep 15, 2019

I've got a 2017 Ram 1500 Hemi, my max towing is 10,190 and I do have electronic braking in my truck. I am getting a new TT that has dry weight of 5300 and length is 25 feet. My neighbor that knows way more about this stuff than me said I will need airbags in the back. For people that have experience with this, I would love your input. Thanks

MADDOG · Sep 15, 2019

Find the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the trailer, then multiply that number by 15% to get your trailer's maximum tongue weight.

Don't use the dry weight number unless you don't plan on putting anything at all in the trailer.

Let's say your trailer has a 6500 pound GVWR which gives 1200 pounds of carrying capacity given your empty weight shown above.

6500 x 15% = 975 pounds.

Your truck should have a Class III receiver hitch on it which is rated at 1,000 pounds.

I really do suspect your truck will need bags.

So get the numbers on the trailer and do the math.

Oh, and plan on a weight distribution and anti-sway hitch set up

dhay13 · Sep 15, 2019

Shouldn't need airbags if you have a WDH (weight distribution hitch) properly set up. I towed my sons 6500lb dry weight camper with my 2013 1500 and it barely squatted it. Suspensions should be the same between mine and yours. You should probably be at about 800-900lbs tongue weight max. Your payload is probably around 1300lbs (this will be on the yellow sticker on your drivers door jamb), With 800lbs tongue weight you will only have about 500lbs left for all passengers and gear. Airbags won't hurt but I don't see a need for them. I think your payload will be more of a concern and airbags will not change that. Only thing that can change that is a heavier duty truck.

mtofell · Sep 15, 2019

Airbags have little to do with your 10,000# tow rating.... that is what the truck can PULL. Airbags relate to payload and what your truck can CARRY. Bags won't increase the truck's payload rating but will help you carry payload up close to the rating without sagging excessively.

I generally agree with Maddog's advice except do beware that sometimes GVWR isn't really what you will load your trailer to. It's just the max the trailer is rated to carry. Often times it's a good guideline but not always. I once had a travel trailer with a dry weight of 6000# and a GVWR of over 10,000#. There was no reason for me to buy a truck capable of towing a 10,000# trailer when it weighed no more than 7500# fully loaded.

All this being said, the short answer to your question is that I agree with your neighbor and airbags will likely be a good thing for you.

69GWC · Sep 15, 2019

A good WDH is really all you want for pulling trailers as air bags can take weight off the steer axle.

I have air bags on my 1500 but use them to level thev truck when carrying heavy loads in the bed not so much for leveling the truck when pulling my trailer as the wdh should keep it pretty close.

Good vid to explain this.

David776895 · Sep 15, 2019

So obviously I am a newbie, I am picking up the trailer on Thursday. The dry weight of the tt is 5300 and since I don't have it, I am not sure what my total weight is going to be yet. The specs on the trailer say Cargo Capacity is 1569, if that helps.

I am getting a WDH, they are putting on the E4 Equal-i-zer, I believe the 10,000 GTW.

So, from everything I have read, my issue is going to be cargo capacity in my truck. My family and I weight about 700 lbs and if tongue weight is 800 lbs, that's 1500 lbs. Which is the same as my truck's max payload.

David776895 · Sep 15, 2019

69GWC said:
A good WDH is really all you want for pulling trailers as air bags can take weight off the steer axle.

I have air bags on my 1500 but use them to level thev truck when carrying heavy loads in the bed not so much for leveling the truck when pulling my trailer as the wdh should keep it pretty close.

Good vid to explain this.

So, if I understood this video correctly, the WDH should relieve the weight on the rear axles as much or more than airbags. I have a feeling there are a lot of people that would argue against this?

69GWC · Sep 15, 2019

David776895 said:
So, if I understood this video correctly, the WDH should relieve the weight on the rear axles as much or more than airbags. I have a feeling there are a lot of people that would argue against this?

They can argue but for me the scales prove the airbags dont help like they think when it comes to this case.

When I pull my trailer I set my bags down to around 12 psi so they have a safe amount of air in them but not so much they are effecting the wdh .

dhay13 · Sep 15, 2019

I will add that if your max payload is 1500 you will not have an issue if you are at 1600 from a towing standpoint. That being said you would technically be illegal and if you were involved in an accident you may have bigger issues.
My step-son has a 2019 1500 Ram with 3.21's and tows a 26' TT. I think his dry weight is about 5500lbs. He has a WDH but no airbags. His payload is about 1700 so he has more room there.

pacofortacos · Sep 15, 2019

David776895 said:
So obviously I am a newbie, I am picking up the trailer on Thursday. The dry weight of the tt is 5300 and since I don't have it, I am not sure what my total weight is going to be yet. The specs on the trailer say Cargo Capacity is 1569, if that helps.

I am getting a WDH, they are putting on the E4 Equal-i-zer, I believe the 10,000 GTW.

So, from everything I have read, my issue is going to be cargo capacity in my truck. My family and I weight about 700 lbs and if tongue weight is 800 lbs, that's 1500 lbs. Which is the same as my truck's max payload.

Did you get the 1500 lb. payload from the door sticker or elsewhere?
Most 1500 models have significantly less payload capacity. I am assuming you have a quad cab or crew cab model.

David776895 · Sep 16, 2019

pacofortacos said:
Did you get the 1500 lb. payload from the door sticker or elsewhere?
Most 1500 models have significantly less payload capacity. I am assuming you have a quad cab or crew cab model.

Got it from the Ram Towing guide and the sticker on my door, they say the same. I used my vin number at the ram towing guide. I have the Crew cab.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing-guide.html

pacofortacos · Sep 16, 2019

My 2016 CC Outdoorsman is way less than 1500 lbs.

My door sticker says #1199 and the website says #1420 for my vin (so I obviously can't trust the website

)

crash68 · Sep 16, 2019

David776895 said:
I am getting a WDH, they are putting on the E4 Equal-i-zer, I believe the 10,000 GTW.

Be prepared to make some adjustments to the WDH once you get truck and trailer loaded for traveling. The RV dealers usually don't get it set correctly. The best way is to use semi truck (CAT) scales that weighs each axle individually. Search for them on the internet or they're at most semi truck stops.

Having airbags help with controlling the amount of squat and can be used in conjunction with a WDH. Think of airbags as having extra capacity springs, when you need them. Be sure to make note of the amount of air pressure you put in them when you set up the WDH. I put 14 psi in my rear airbags when I tow the 28' enclosed trailer (8K lbs).

Loudram · Sep 16, 2019

I agree with the rest. Air bags aren't necessary but they wouldn't hurt. I don't use them personally but I may install a set. My trailer is 33' long, 6600lbs dry, around 7200lbs loaded and I use a 10k Equalizer hitch like the one you're getting. Trailer sits slightly nose down when all set up which is what you want. See my sig pic. Keep in mind I took that pic using a wide angle lens so it looks stretched, or at least on my phone it does.

68PowerWagon · Sep 16, 2019

Bags are not really a "have to" kind of item. I would see how your truck does on the way home from the dealer. As others have said, the dealer is probably going to just get you set up roughly. After you add some cargo you are going to want to tweak WDH. After that, if you get a lot of porpoising & squat then consider a good set of bags.

Do I need airbags for towing my travel trailer?

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