rear end squat with trailer.

[dlrbill]

Hello everyone, I'm a new member with a 97 Merc. Mountaineer, V8 AWD. I'll be pulling about 4-5000 lbs. and my loaded trailer squats the rear end too much. I already have the Curtis class V hitch with a 2-3 inch rise ball so the trailor mounts at a little above the bumper hitch location. I'm looking at some kind of inexpensive helper spring or air shock. I've already read that air shocks can mess up the shock mounts, so I guess I need something between the leaf and frame for the best results. Check these out and give me some feedback. I don't want to spend almost $200 for the airbag system. http://www.jcwhitney.com/QUICK-CHANGE-HELPERS/GP_2005887_N_111+1997+200728964+600003409_10101.jcw

 

[nssj2]

havent heard much about those, look decent though. does the trailer and hitch have load equalizers? the leafs on these trucks go bad. when i pulled mine, i could stand on them and they would damn near be flattened. Add-a-leaf or pick up helper springs like this one

 

[Cobraguy]

That's a lot of weight to be towing with one of these

I urge you strongly consider a load equalizing hitch. That will distribute the hitch weight equally between the car and trailer where it belongs. After all, if you have a 5000 pound trailer, it should have 10% of that on the hitch. That's 500 lbs. Way too much without an equalizing hitch.

 

[gijoecam]

Most trailer manufacturers recommend 10-15% tongue weight... On a 5000 lb trailer, that's 500-750 lbs... way too much for the rear end of a Mountaineer with a weight-carrying hitch, even with the load-leveling suspension. 750 lbs of tongue weight will transfer another 300-400 lbs of weight off the front wheels to the rear, which can easily add up to 1000 lbs of extra weight on the rear axle. It's unlikely that the axle is rated to carry an extra 1000 lbs over the weight of the truck itself.

I, too, would recommend a weight-distributing hitch for that setup. It'll help evenly distribute the tongue weight between the front and rear, as well as increase steering feel and steering ability, and generally help stabilize the rig. It'll be well-worth it in the long run.

-Joe

 

[dlrbill]

So does anybody else think these things will work? I already spent a good amount of money on the class V reciever and brake control stuff. I see the point being made to do it right but the last Explorer I had I spend over $400 for the leaf springs to be resprung and added a leaf. I don't want to put that kind on cash in this on top of the other expenses.

 

[gijoecam]

You're going to be over-working the rear air springs if you have the load leveling suspension, and they may not be able to keep up themselves... Additionally, even with a properly loaded trailer, you will be dangerously close to, if not over, your rear GAWR. Furthermore, the extra weight transferred off the front axle is going to make the steering light, as well as reduce the available traction on the front wheels. Finally, should the trailer begin to sway, due to a wind gust or an evasive maneuver, the overloaded rear end, light steering, and heavy trailer are a perfect trifecta that can lead to, at best, an accident and, at worst, a rollover... I don't relish that thought either.

The hitch and brake controller are the first steps, but there's still more that's needed to do the job. Helper springs will reduce the rear end squat, but they do nothing to distribute the tongue load, stabilize the trailer, or reduce the weight transfer from the front wheels to the rear. They simply reduce the squat and nothing more. Air springs do the same thing. Neither setup will properly distribute the load on the vehicle like a weight distributing hitch will.

Finally, there's still the question of whether or not the trailer is capable of handling a WDH. If not, then you simply don't have the right tow vehicle for the job. IMHO, there is nothing you can do to make your Explorer tow like a Super-Duty.

-Joe

 

[Cobraguy]

You're going to be over-working the rear air springs if you have the load leveling suspension, and they may not be able to keep up themselves... Additionally, even with a properly loaded trailer, you will be dangerously close to, if not over, your rear GAWR. Furthermore, the extra weight transferred off the front axle is going to make the steering light, as well as reduce the available traction on the front wheels. Finally, should the trailer begin to sway, due to a wind gust or an evasive maneuver, the overloaded rear end, light steering, and heavy trailer are a perfect trifecta that can lead to, at best, an accident and, at worst, a rollover... I don't relish that thought either.

The hitch and brake controller are the first steps, but there's still more that's needed to do the job. Helper springs will reduce the rear end squat, but they do nothing to distribute the tongue load, stabilize the trailer, or reduce the weight transfer from the front wheels to the rear. They simply reduce the squat and nothing more. Air springs do the same thing. Neither setup will properly distribute the load on the vehicle like a weight distributing hitch will.

Finally, there's still the question of whether or not the trailer is capable of handling a WDH. If not, then you simply don't have the right tow vehicle for the job. IMHO, there is nothing you can do to make your Explorer tow like a Super-Duty.

-Joe

About as well said as can be done.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Agreed. Simply may not be the best- or safest- tow vehicle for the specific application, no matter the money spent.