Rear suspension air assist

[Bobalouie76]

Hi all,
I have a 2002 xlt v6 that i am pretty happy with. It is my everyday ride to and from work. I also use it to tow a popup camper when the family goes on vacation. I recently started looking for a way to help keep the rear of the truck level when towing and have run into a disappointing dead end.

First I was looking at coil spacers thinking this would be the easiest route to go. I figured there would be wedges similiar to what is used in Nascar to stiffen the springs that could be easily removed when not needed, but I cant seem to find anything like that.

Now Im looking at air assist systems that are installed inside the spring and inflate to lift the truck to its original height when loaded down. there seem to be two major players in this avenue, http://www.firestoneindustrial.com/riderite/#
and
http://www.airliftcompany.com/


Problem Im having is neither one of these companies make a kit that is compatible with my truck. This I dont really understand, it is after all one of the best selling SUV's on the market.

So here is my question to you all. What can I do?

And no, I'm not exceeding the weight limit when towing, I just want to keep it all level.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Critter92X]

A weight distributing hitch would be your best bet.It will evenly distribute the weight to your whole truck and keep it level.I use one to pull a 23' travel trailer with my Explorer and I don't have any trouble.

 

[Critter92X]

This will give you an idea of what I use,there are several brands out there.
Equalizer hitch
They make for a smoother ride without sway also.

 

[Thelt]

You must have a big popup. I pull a hybrid camper with no weight distribution hitch and the rear of my Explorer does not sit down much. Are you sure you are not overloading your camper? Does it have a trunk on the front that you might be carrying too much weight in?

 

[Bobalouie76]

You may be right, I may not be sagging as much as I think. My uncle just bought a 24 foot travel trailer that he is pulling with a Honda Pilot. He has the weight distributing hitch and it works great. When he first got home with the trailer though and had parked it, we were disconnecting it from the truck and I saw how low his Pilot sagged without it, WOW. I think it was at this point I started thinking to myself, mayby I should get somthing to help keep my ride level.

I hadnt looked at the weight distributing hitch because I only have the class 2 hitch, do they make a weight distribting hitch for a class 2?

Anyhow, Im still interested in perhaps installing somthing to help keep everything level. I will see how badly it is needed once it warms up a little and get a chance to hook back up to the camper and get a better look at how much it actually sags.

Thanks, keep the suggestions coming.

 

[Thelt]

Can a Honda Pilot safely pull a 24 foot trailer? That seems like too much for a Pilot. Honda makes a good car but I think the Pilot only tows 3500 lbs.

Anyway your Explorer should be more than adequate to pull a popup. I towed a popup with a Nissan Xterra for a couple of years with no problems. I had no trailer brakes or weight distribution hitch but it did not matter. It had a dry weight of only about 1200 lbs. I tow an Aerolite Cub now with a dry weight of 2600 lbs. I do have trailer brakes on it. But I have no trouble with it.

 

[Bobalouie76]

Yeah, the Honda is within its limits, but not by much. It looks rediculous pulling it though.

I know my trailer isnt over the limit, cant remember what it weighs. I'll just have to see how it looks b4 I go on my next trip with the trailer hooked up and stuff in the back of the truck.

 

[Critter92X]

I don't know if they have the equalizers for a class ll,but as long as your not exceeding the limits on a class ll they have an adapter to convert a class ll into a 2" receiver so you can use all the 2" stuff in your receiver.I haven't used it but I think it would work as long as you don't push the limits.

 

[rowekmr]

Hello
Although I have a 98 XLT I used the Monroe air shocks. I use minimal air (25-50 psi) when not towing and once the trailer is hooked up I fill with air to achieve a level vehicle stance (about 115 psi). I am towing a boat/trailer combo that I am sure is past 7000# but the tongue weight is probably closer to 300-500. I do have the 5.0 AWD with the towing package and haven't had a problem yet.

Joe

 

[BWilliams]

7000# trailer?! Aren't you exceeding the rating on the hitch or the GCWR on your truck with that? Seems excessive even with the tow package.

 

[rowekmr]

7000# trailer?! Aren't you exceeding the rating on the hitch or the GCWR on your truck with that? Seems excessive even with the tow package.

I am not exceeding the rating of the hitch, maybe the truck's though cause it is somewhere around 6600#. I think the only thing I am definitely exceeding is the ball because most 2 5/16 balls are rated at 5500# and I searched far and wide (I did find some rated at 10K but forgot where). I had a concern about that but seeing others tow more with ball hitches has eased the concern. If you think that is excessive you should have seen me pulling a 28" boat on a tri-axle trailer (8000#+) with the 19.95 U haul pick up truck when my 78 Ford Econoline Extended van with 460/C-6 gave me problems. What I believe is excessive is the price of vehicles that are "rated" to pull 7000#...I drove a 1999 Lincoln Navigator which is rated for that and above and it actually seemed weaker pulling and the trans shifted softer than my Ex. I accelerate slowly and smoothly and brake sooner and slower. I have years driving heavily loaded straight trucks and try to weigh the risk.