"Helper" Air Bags or HD Springs for trailer squat

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bigdav1178

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I have a 2015 RAM 1500 4WD CC Big Horn daily driver that I occasionally tow with (around 6-8 times a year). Typically, I'm towing our ~4000lb travel trailer w/ WDH, but I also sometimes tow a 3000-4000lb shared cargo trailer (w/ no WDH). I have the truck fairly leveled out when towing the travel trailer, but the WDH does seem to put a lot of stress on the hitch receiver and (I'd assume) the front suspension to make up for the rear sag - the hitch/receiver creaks like a SOB when loaded. Likewise, although it's leveled out, I still get more bounce than I'd like driving Pennsylvania roads (though nothing compared to towing without the WDH). When I'm pulling the shared trailer, my truck looks like it's ready to take off for the moon - I don't think I need to elaborate any more on that one. And since the shared trailer isn't mine, a WDH on it isn't an option.

All this is to say, I'm planning on doing either "helper" air bags or HD springs to stiffen up the rear suspension some - I'm just have trouble deciding on which way to go. I'm currently looking at either Air Lift 1000/1000HD in-coil air bags or else TUFTRUCK TTC-1210 replacement coils.

Cost and effort wise, either upgrade is about the same; so I'm trying to figure out which would be the better option for me. I know either one will have some effect on the ride quality, but I'd prefer to sacrifice ride quality as little as possible - I figure the air bags have this advantage. I also want to "once and done" this; so longevity and durability are equally important to me (possibly, more so) - so I figure the coils have the edge here.

So this is my question to the forum: which would you recommend for me?
Are the air bags reliable enough that I won't need to be fixing leaks in a couple years? Would you recommend a different option (around the same price range; and I'm not really interested in replacing the coils for air-only suspension)? If you recommend the Air Lift air bags, is there any reason to go with the 1000's, rather than the 1000HD's (other than the slight cost advantage)?

Thanks in advance!
 

pacofortacos

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This is what I have - lifetime warranty on the springs/bags.

I had the tufftruck 1211's on before, ride wasn't too bad, but I run my tires over 44 psi and that made it a rougher ride. So I went back to the stock springs and added the above.
 
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bigdav1178

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pacofortacos

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They are a little more expensive, about $40 more at summit racing.
 

2003F350

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I have a 2015 RAM 1500 4WD CC Big Horn daily driver that I occasionally tow with (around 6-8 times a year). Typically, I'm towing our ~4000lb travel trailer w/ WDH, but I also sometimes tow a 3000-4000lb shared cargo trailer (w/ no WDH). I have the truck fairly leveled out when towing the travel trailer, but the WDH does seem to put a lot of stress on the hitch receiver and (I'd assume) the front suspension to make up for the rear sag - the hitch/receiver creaks like a SOB when loaded. Likewise, although it's leveled out, I still get more bounce than I'd like driving Pennsylvania roads (though nothing compared to towing without the WDH). When I'm pulling the shared trailer, my truck looks like it's ready to take off for the moon - I don't think I need to elaborate any more on that one. And since the shared trailer isn't mine, a WDH on it isn't an option.

All this is to say, I'm planning on doing either "helper" air bags or HD springs to stiffen up the rear suspension some - I'm just have trouble deciding on which way to go. I'm currently looking at either Air Lift 1000/1000HD in-coil air bags or else TUFTRUCK TTC-1210 replacement coils.

Cost and effort wise, either upgrade is about the same; so I'm trying to figure out which would be the better option for me. I know either one will have some effect on the ride quality, but I'd prefer to sacrifice ride quality as little as possible - I figure the air bags have this advantage. I also want to "once and done" this; so longevity and durability are equally important to me (possibly, more so) - so I figure the coils have the edge here.

So this is my question to the forum: which would you recommend for me?
Are the air bags reliable enough that I won't need to be fixing leaks in a couple years? Would you recommend a different option (around the same price range; and I'm not really interested in replacing the coils for air-only suspension)? If you recommend the Air Lift air bags, is there any reason to go with the 1000's, rather than the 1000HD's (other than the slight cost advantage)?

Thanks in advance!

If you're using the standard WDH with bars and chains (not the ones with integrated sway control), and the ball for the 'shared' trailer is still a 2-5/16" size...buy a set of the chain brackets for whenever you're using the shared trailer and run your WDH. The brackets are fairly cheap and generally just attach by slipping over the tongue rails and then are secured with a bolt that 'clamps' them in place. The vast majority of the force is down, so the brackets typically don't move. Just take them back off when you're done with the 'shared' trailer. I'm not as familiar with the brackets for the integrated systems, but even if your WDH has integrated sway control, I don't see why it would be a problem to add the bracketry for it - whoever owns the trailer doesn't have to use it, they just need to be okay with the brackets being mounted in a place that doesn't actually affect anything.

It is 100% normal for WDH systems to creak a bit, especially if you have one with integrated sway control. Unless you're towing HEAVY loads you're not overstressing your receiver.

If that's truly not an option then you'll need to carefully load everything in the 'shared' trailer to get your tongue weight to 10-15% of the loaded weight. I don't think I'd really recommend air bags because they simply mask the problems you're already having. Stiffening your rear suspension masks the fact that you're still putting downward pressure on the back of your truck that is in turn lifting the front of your truck and taking weight off your steer tires. A WDH is the proper remedy for that situation.
 

csuder99

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^ This. Contrary to popular Internet lore the purpose of a WDH is not to eliminate sag, that's just a side effect. It's meant to distribute tongue weight somewhat evenly onto both the front and rear axle so the front tires are able to steer not only on a straight road on a sunny day but also on a wet mountain road.
 

KMKKOZ

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I have the airlift 1000hd bags in my 2018 1500 CC with a hemi. I use the WDH also when I tow my 6000 lb travel trailer and it is a great system. Fully loaded for short trips I'm probably hitting 8000 lb with water and everything. When I go on longer trips I slim down and run with empty tanks. No issues, had then for two years. I plan to go back under this year and check the connections for corrosion, but so far so good.

I use a Milwaukee air pump to fill up to 30psi after hooking up.
 

pilgrim6

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^ This. Contrary to popular Internet lore the purpose of a WDH is not to eliminate sag, that's just a side effect. It's meant to distribute tongue weight somewhat evenly onto both the front and rear axle so the front tires are able to steer not only on a straight road on a sunny day but also on a wet mountain road.
That sounds to me like a difference without a distinction. Transferring some of the load from the rear wheels to the front wheels MUST reduce sag. They are just two sides of the same coin.
 

cdn cj

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I’d have to disagree with that statement.
Kinda hard to see but mine specifically calls for grease and even has zerk fittings.
 

crash68

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There is an old saying regarding WDH---"If it ain't making noise, it ain't working." Never oil the contact points between the arms and the hitch--that friction is necessary.
You want lube so the bars and ball can pivot freely, you don't use lube on a friction sway bar itself or if the manufacturer specifically states not to use lube on a WDH.
You won't effect how a WDH transfers weight to the front of the truck by using lube, the bars and hitch are pivot points where as the WDH applies leverage perpendicular to the pivot points of the hitch. Only thing no lube does effect is how much noise the hitch makes and the number of people hearing it wanting to tell you to put some lube on that hitch.
 

Gr8bawana

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There is an old saying regarding WDH---"If it ain't making noise, it ain't working." Never oil the contact points between the arms and the hitch--that friction is necessary.
Nonsense, every time you make a turn there will be metal to metal grinding going on.
 

pilgrim6

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Maybe you guys are right----I was referring only to the bars; not the ball. Always grease the ball and socket.
I also agree that greasing the bars has no affect on their weight transfer role. Transferring load to the front on the tow vehicle happens as a matter of simple geometry--grease does not affect that.
The only area where greasing might have an affect--besides the reduction of noise--is the anti-sway component of the hitch. If the hitch manufacturer also claimed that the WDH reduces trailer sway, then greasing the bars will reduce that.
 

ramffml

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osprey ram

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Afternoon! I have a 09 1500 CC 4x4,w/ air lift 1000 on rear. I don^t tow anything really heavy. 4000 lb. so far.I like being able to adjust the pressure . Works fine for me !
 
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