Tongue weight control: Leveling the squat.

[Moose-Hunter]

What are you folks using to combat the induced squat while towing. Add together the tongue weight, topper and a weeks worth of gear and my lil' 1500 sags quite a bit.

Just dealing with the sag is not an option. Nor are the "add a leaf" type helper springs. Unless you know of other options, my choices are either air bags or Timbren SES rubber springs.

Which would you choose and why?

Thanks...

[LightningBG]

Tibrens are cheap, $200 or so if you install them yourself. Wouldn't be a horrible option, but I've never used them on the back of a truck personally.

[Bryce]

Went with the Timbrens. They help guite a bit. Wish I had went with airbags so I could truly level off the truck. Going to have the headlights adjusted down a little bit at first oil change to give oncoming traffic a break.

[SkunkedAgain]

Maybe I'm a bit ignorant, but just fixing the squat won't correct the main problem which is that it seems that your trailer load is too heavy for the tow vehicle. What I specifically mean is that the squat indicates that your front end no longer has the necessary weight to give you could traction for steering and stopping, especially if the road conditions include rain and/or snow.

[delcecchi]

I had air shocks on my 77 Impala, and loved them. worked great when towing the pop up camper.

[MJ1657]

I put air bags in my half ton. They are awesome. I run them 10 pounds when empty and 60 pounds when I am pulling something fairly heavy.

They dramatically help with control and braking.

[MJ1657]

Maybe I'm a bit ignorant, but just fixing the squat won't correct the main problem which is that it seems that your trailer load is too heavy for the tow vehicle. What I specifically mean is that the squat indicates that your front end no longer has the necessary weight to give you could traction for steering and stopping, especially if the road conditions include rain and/or snow.

My truck would squat more then I liked when I was under its rated towing capacity.

[Macgyver55]

I would go with the bags! I've installed them for several people and they are a good choice since they wont affect ride quality when they aren't needed, and can be inflated to take heavy loads when they are needed.

[Surface Tension]

I put airbags in my F150 purchased from JC Whittney.

There was a warning of keeping them at 20 psi at a minimum.

Worst part of install was the brakeline bracket supplied with the kit.

Don't think you'll need that with the 1500.

When I routed the air supply lines through the frame I used old gas line to protect the lines from chaffing.

Valve stems were located using the holes for the rear license plate. Very inconspicuous and easy to get at.