How do I know if my truck needs air bags for the suspension?

[inca]

I have a 2009 Chevy 2500HD diesel. Recently bought a 2011 Sundowner 7608 2 horse LQ trailer (gooseneck). Hooked it up for the first time yesterday and was surprised how much it “lowered” my truck while I was hooking it up. (It has a hydraulic jack.)

Had the trailer weighed yesterday (requirement for getting a title) and it weighs just under 7,500 pounds. It’s probably about double what my non-LQ 2 horse gooseneck 4 Star trailer weighs.

On the drive TO get the trailer weighed, it felt so heavy to me - seemed like I felt every little bump, etc. On the way back, didn’t seem quite so bad. I’ve had my other trailer for 13 years so I am obviously used to exactly the way it feels when hauling.

So, how do I know if I need to add air bags to my suspension or if everything is fine and I just need to get used to a different feeling?

[mroades]

I would, without hesitation!

[China_Doll]

[QUOTE=inca;7959977]
I have a 2009 Chevy 2500HD diesel. Recently bought a 2011 Sundowner 7608 2 horse LQ trailer (gooseneck). Hooked it up for the first time yesterday and was surprised how much it “lowered” my truck while I was hooking it up. (It has a hydraulic jack.)

Had the trailer weighed yesterday (requirement for getting a title) and it weighs just under 7,500 pounds. It’s probably about double what my non-LQ 2 horse gooseneck 4 Star trailer weighs.

On the drive TO get the trailer weighed, it felt so heavy to me - seemed like I felt every little bump, etc. On the way back, didn’t seem quite so bad. I’ve had my other trailer for 13 years so I am obviously used to exactly the way it feels when hauling.

So, how do I know if I need to add air bags to my suspension or if everything is fine and I just need to get used to a different feeling?[/QUOTE] I have the same truck but a few years older. Mine is a quad cab. I have the same trailer but a 3 horse and I do not need air bags. I think mine weighs just under 8k. The only time mine is rough is when I’m on a bad road. Once you get a horse in it that should help. Air bags lower the load rating and I don’t think you need them. They may help for comfort though not sure.

[inca]

My truck is also a quad cab (4 full size doors) but is a short bed, if that makes any difference. (And we already “tested” it because I have to make a bit of a sharp turn on to my driveway from the barn - didn’t come close to hitting the back window so now I don’t have to spend money on an offset coupler - yay!)

I barely ever knew my other trailer was back there, even with 2 horses in it. I think the difference was a bit of a shock. And I could see the trailer weight physically lowering my truck when I hooked the trailer up, which does not happen with my non-LQ trailer.

My husband laughed at me because I was a bit nervous driving it at first (it’s wider and 4 feet longer than my other trailer.) But, I managed to get it: 1. out of our gate, 2. into the dump and onto the scale, 3. back in our gate and 4. backed into its parking spot with no trouble. By the time I was driving home, I felt much more comfortable driving it and it didn’t seem quite so “heavy.” So perhaps it is a case of just needing to get used to it. But, I don’t want to ruin my truck either!

[Tom_King]

I you need some, I have some still in the box, and the compressor kit. I had them on my last two trucks, and bought them for the 3500 before it came. I never needed them, and they are still in the boxes. They’re 14 years old, but have never been out of the box. Make offer. I had forgotten I still had them until seeing this.

[Frog_Pond]

I have 2010 Chevy 2500 gas engine, and I feel that the suspension has a bit more wallow in it than the F350 I used to drive. I’ve gotten used to it, and it tows great. Maybe you’re just experiencing what this truck feels like at this weight of trailer. I’ve used airbags with an RV, but I wouldn’t use them with a horse trailer – I’d just buy a bigger truck! Personal preference, that’s all.

[mroades]

I had the airbags on my F-350 crew cab short bed, and it pulled my 34’ head to head for 400K miles before i sold it. I truly believe that airbags were part of the reason it lasted so long and was is such good shape when I sold it. Living quarter trailer are too heavy for a 3/4 ton truck in my opinion. Either get the airbags or get a bigger truck (in my opinion)

[Guilherme]

Air bags don’t give the vehicle any additional towing or hauling capacity. They do provide vibration and motion reduction and give a smoother ride.

G.

[moving_to_dc]

An empty LQ trailer IS going to seem, and actually weigh, heavier on the hitch than when it has horses in the back. The weight of the horses “balances” the trailer out, so it isn’t so heavy on the hitch.

We have actually tested this theory on a CAT scale. Our toyhauler is heavier on the hitch when the garage is empty, vs. when we load the Smartcar in the garage and fill the hauler’s rear tanks.

You could test how your trailer hauls, loaded with horses, before you commit to putting airbags on the truck.

[inca]

It only has an 8’ LQ. My truck should be fine. It’s hauling capacity is 15,000 pounds and the trailer weighs 7,480 empty. So even with 2 horses should be fine.

Actually makes sense that it will pull better with a horse in it to balance out the load.

Will use it a few times and then decide. Thanks everyone!

[whitney159]

We have a Chevy 3500 (2002). The person that had it before us put the airbags in it, but when we bought it, they weren’t inflated. After a few hauls with it, we inflated them to see if they made a difference. Overall I felt like the ride was a good bit smoother.

[airhorse]

And if you really think you can safely pull 15K with a 2500…

[inca]

Well I’ll be pulling more like 10,000 with 2 horses. But most times I’ll have 1 horse so even with some hay it should be less than 9,000. Truck is a diesel and will be fine.

[DiamondJubilee]

My husband had a 2500 and pulled our 38ft with live in quarters (just over 10,000 lbs empty) and the trailer company said it was ok to do so with that truck. They also said it could pull 15,000lb but he hated it!! No way was it safe. He traded it for a 3500 dually and couldn’t be happier. I know you said your truck was not pulling that much, I just thought I would mention it as trailer dealerships like to tell you that your truck will be fine to pull a heavy tralier - this way you will buy what they are trying to sell you so you will not have to trade your truck in and possibly not buy thier trailer…
That being said, I have air bags in my ford f150 to pull a 2 horse trailer and I love it!! Tows better and does not “sag” at all. I found a big difference. My husband also has airbags in his 3500 dually with the air compressor built into his dash and loves it as well. They are not expensive, I would say go for it. I have put extra leaf springs in my old truck but I like that I can add or take air away as the springs made it more of a stiff ride for everyday use. I can tell if I forget to take the air out of the airbags as soon as I go down a bumpy road!

[DHCarrotfeeder]

[QUOTE=Guilherme;7960732]
Air bags don’t give the vehicle any additional towing or hauling capacity. They do provide vibration and motion reduction and give a smoother ride.

G.[/QUOTE]

Requoting for emphasis. Airbags also make leveling the loaded trailer very easy. Leveling is important for trailer tire wear.

[inca]

Hmmm…sounds like the airbags will make things a bit more comfy. I am WELL AWARE that air bags don’t increase the towing capacity. I am interested in saving my truck’s suspension.

The reason I didn’t buy the 3 horse with LQ is because I don’t plan on getting a new truck. This trailer is 18’6" long and weighs 7,480 pounds empty. (Had to have it weighed to get the title.) I will mostly be hauling 1 horse so won’t even be at 10,000 pounds. A 3/4 ton diesel is fine for this.