Squat and not the gym

[markusaf81]

So, I have a 2014 Ram 1500 express, Quad Cab, 6.5 bed, 4x4, and have Nitto Terra Grapplers on it.

I towed my small 6x10 trailer with my zero turn on it and it seemed like my truck squatted quite a bit. Once I hit the road got some bouncing in the truck at about 50mph. Yes, everything was loaded properly.

Today, I had 4 railroad ties in the bed of the truck (so maybe around 800 pounds) and the truck squatted horribly. I had a skid of brick in my Sierra and 2000 sq ft of hardwood floors in the back of the Sierra and it was comparable.

Once I started speeding up, same bouncy stuff at a lower speed, 20-30mph. Horrible handling, horrible braking, and so forth.

Just disappointed. Thoughts on what to do? I just bought an A-liner pop up and don’t want my truck to look like it’s hauling a 34 foot toy hauler.


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[MADDOG]

Sounds like a perfect application for some adjustable airbags.

 

[Riccochet]

Airbags. You think the comfortable ride of coil springs doesn't come at a cost?

 

[markusaf81]

Airbags. You think the comfortable ride of coil springs doesn't come at a cost?

Lol, yeah but figured those springs would hold up a little better. Would the Air lift 1000 be acceptable or should i go to something more?

 

[crash68]

Would the Air lift 1000 be acceptable or should i go to something more?

With the Airlift 1000 airbags in the coils, you need to fully inflate them before loading the truck.
Consider Timber Grove airbags, they are a no cut/bolt-on kit.
https://timbergroveenterprises.com/...-rear-axle-asam-for-factory-height-suspension

 

[jouart]

Lol, yeah but figured those springs would hold up a little better. Would the Air lift 1000 be acceptable or should i go to something more?

Airlift 1000 is what I’m looking at it to fix my squat. They have been around a long time. Cheap easy to install lifetime warranty they stand behind.

 

[69GWC]

Timber Grove air bags all the way.

They are top knotch, fit great and a easy install and will be all you ever need IMO.

 

[VernDiesel]

X3 Worth the extra money in my experience.

There is also other options if you don’t like air Such as Tuff Truck 1223V. And Sumo springs Neoprene.

But personally I have had great experience with axle to frame bags like the Timbergrove

 

[Mitag3]

That seems oddly excessive. I have the exact same truck and it took over 1,000 lbs of rock in the bed to get the kind of squat you're talking about (pre-airbags) and even with that kind of load or comparable tongue weight travel trailer I didn't have near the problems with bouncing, handling, or braking. In fact with just the load in the bed the truck it felt incredibly planted (as I assume it should). That said cheap-o inside the spring airbags (Airlift 1000, ~$100 from Amazon) did make a huge difference and take no time to install. I also have upgraded sway bars too, not sure how much it helped though since I did those around the same time I got the air bags.

 

[markusaf81]

That seems oddly excessive. I have the exact same truck and it took over 1,000 lbs of rock in the bed to get the kind of squat you're talking about (pre-airbags) and even with that kind of load or comparable tongue weight travel trailer I didn't have near the problems with bouncing, handling, or braking. In fact with just the load in the bed the truck it felt incredibly planted (as I assume it should). That said cheap-o inside the spring airbags (Airlift 1000, ~$100 from Amazon) did make a huge difference and take no time to install. I also have upgraded sway bars too, not sure how much it helped though since I did those around the same time I got the air bags.

I’m guessing of the weight of the railroad ties, google said between 100-300 pounds, so I could’ve had more weight.

With the recent purchase of the camper, I just wanted to squash any potential problems before they started.

The timber groves look nice but seem like a lot more then what I’d need. I also read complaints from people losing their ride quality with them. Since I don’t usually haul heavy stuff, maybe the airlift would be the better way to go.


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[markusaf81]

also, shocks make a difference? Have Bilstein 5100's on the front, stock on the rear

 

[Riccochet]

I run the Airlift 1000 bags. Tow a 27' travel trailer. No more squat and porpoising.

 

[West27]

Is this too much squat? 8.5x16 with gear and SxS in it so probably around 5000lbs. Truck is a 2014 5.7 with 3.92 and tuned. Truck pulled it fine (got a little hot on the long hills) but not very good fuel mileage.
500miles doing down 9 (had some tail wind)
500 miles coming home 6 (head wind)
Debating about getting diesel now with that crappy of mileage.

 

[sequoia464]

The first thing I did to my truck was replace the springs. The stock springs are great for bringing home some groceries, or taking Granny to church on sundays, but not so good for hauling a load.

Just towing 5700 pounds and I use a weight distribution hitch, but we run pretty much level when towing, and that is with a decent load in the back.

https://tuftruck.com/products/ttc-1211/

What is your load capacity - the yellow sticker on the drivers side door is where it is located. Some of these trucks - especially the diesels have a very low load capacity. Mine is only 1350 pounds.

 

[West27]

The first thing I did to my truck was replace the springs. The stock springs are great for bringing home some groceries, or taking Granny to church on sundays, but not so good for hauling a load.

Just towing 5700 pounds and I use a weight distribution hitch, but we run pretty much level when towing, and that is with a decent load in the back.

https://tuftruck.com/products/ttc-1211/

What is your load capacity - the yellow sticker on the drivers side door is where it is located. Some of these trucks - especially the diesels have a very low load capacity. Mine is only 1350 pounds.

Did these springs affect ride quality unloaded? I was looking at doing this but not sure if it is worth it and if I will benefit from it. I am not using a WD hitch but maybe I need it. Trailer pulls great and no sway but it does squat and bad mpg...

 

[sequoia464]

Did these springs affect ride quality unloaded? I was looking at doing this but not sure if it is worth it and if I will benefit from it. I am not using a WD hitch but maybe I need it. Trailer pulls great and no sway but it does squat and bad mpg...

If anything they helped - prior I had a bit of roll in the rear end, and some uncomfortable motions going on when turning, I have heard others refer to it a 'squirm'.

That 'squirm' is gone, I haven't noticed any increased harshness in the ride when unloaded (both my wife and I have back issues, so I'm acutely aware of that issue). That was a concern that I had, which turned out to be unfounded.

Empty, the truck sits exactly at the same height as stock, no stink bug effect at all. I measured all four wheel well heights before and after - they were within an 1/8".

I'm always cautious recommending thing to another person because we all have such different needs and likes/dislikes, but these springs have worked out extremely well for me.

 

[gofishn]

Did these springs affect ride quality unloaded? I was looking at doing this but not sure if it is worth it and if I will benefit from it. I am not using a WD hitch but maybe I need it. Trailer pulls great and no sway but it does squat and bad mpg...

Depends on the spring. 1223V are very OEMlike, top portion of the spring, then firm up , as weight is loaded.
so, toss 400lbs in teh truck same sag as oem springs. but after that intial amount, springs firm up.

will retain OEM smooth ride.

firmer springs, thorughout, comes at a price, ie-ride. i love my 1211, same over rating as 1223v but constant rate, thoughout springs range and less squat under light loads.

would not really consider aair bags. think about it, fill up with air truck range of motion is limited by air, which being firm, will seem even harsher riding than a set of stiffer springs under same load. like bump stops. why in the world would anyone want to put their loaded truck on the bump stops so it is essentally riding on the axle? talk about a crappy ride.

 

[markusaf81]

Since I am towing a pop up that weighs 2000 pounds (hitch weight of 240lb I believe), I went with the Airlift 1000's. Ill see how they work, if I don't like them, I will probably look at upgrading the springs. The fact that I am only towing once or twice a month and its a small amount of weight pushed me to the simpler option.

 

[Riccochet]

Since I am towing a pop up that weighs 2000 pounds (hitch weight of 240lb I believe), I went with the Airlift 1000's. Ill see how they work, if I don't like them, I will probably look at upgrading the springs. The fact that I am only towing once or twice a month and its a small amount of weight pushed me to the simpler option.

They're what I run and I tow a 8000# travel trailer. These bags are great for what they are.

Don't think you'll need to air them up to 35 PSI for that light of a load. I'd try 15-20 PSI and see how it rides.

Run them at 5 PSI when unloaded. It's going to stiffen up the rear just a little. I don't think you can run these bags empty though.

 

[69GWC]

I have 1211s and Timber Grove air bags and a Hellwig sway bar and my truck rides just fine just like a truck not a car.
Run 5psi in them and you cant even tell they are on there, I normally run 20psi in them.