Towing question

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Got a 99 the other day and used it to tow my 4wheelers yesterday. With the trailer/4wheelers on the truck the back end sat down lower than I would like for it to. The explorer had no trouble pulling at all. I was planning on doing the warrior shacles/TT upgrade and was wondering how much this would help with the sag caused by the trailer? Or would stiffer shocks in back be better to keep the back end up more?

 

[Jason_25]

An add-a-leaf, in addition to new, stiffer-valved shocks definitely sounds like what you need.

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

what exactly would the add a leaf do? would this raise the rear of the truck like the shackles would? or would the additional leaf just give it the stiffer ride for towing? also...any brand/website recomendations?

 

[mudx]

had the same problem with mine pulling a pop-up camper. I used coilover shocks with the AAL. I got them at advance auto for around 80$ they work great! the rear dont sag but a small amout now,also didnt hurt the ride any

 

[jjue]

I went with airbag helper springs since my loads always vary, and I didn't want a raked look all the time.

 

[mahieber]

I ran Gabriel Air Shocks for about 9 years and I loved them.

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I have been reading some on the add a leaf. I think thats the path I want to take. In some other threads people say that they got 2 inches of lift at first but pretty soon it went back down to either 1" or almost stock. What brand and size should I look at to keep around a 1 1/2" of lift to go with a TT? Any brand or website recomendations?

 

[jimbo74]

the torsion twist lifts the front end.... if you lift it with the aal/shackles and a tt, it will just sit higher in general... the rear will still sag when towing.... but the aal is an actual helper spring, so the sag wont be as bad as with just the stock ones......

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

the torsion twist lifts the front end.... if you lift it with the aal/shackles and a tt, it will just sit higher in general... the rear will still sag when towing.... but the aal is an actual helper spring, so the sag wont be as bad as with just the stock ones......

Yea...thats what I am wanting it to do...stiffen the rear up to help with towing and raise it with the aal and raise the front with a TT to match the back. Am I putting this idea together right?

 

[SplashMan]

Yup, Tortion twist for front and add-a-leaf for back...

Explorer Pro Comp add-a-leaf...

Thats the set I run on mine and it helps alot with sagging when I pull my trailer.

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Splashman: Thanks for the link I have looked several places and didn't see them at summit, they definately seem to be the cheapest. I have read on here that they tend to settle some and don't give as much lift as when first put on, have you noticed anything like that? would the AAL and shackles be too much to add and expect the TT to level the truck?

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Splashman again:

I just looked at your setup on your homepage. I really like your truck and it seems close to what I want to do. Do you have any trouble with running the shackles and the add a leaf?

 

[SplashMan]

Thanks for the compliment...
The add-a-leaf did settle to about an 1". I have no problems running the warrior/aal, and originally I had turned the torsion twist up to match the rear(front was about 1/2" shorter than rear), but I turned it down again when I started to use the Explorer for towing, because with the trailer on the front was higher than the rear again.
Just to warn you, the AALs will stiffen up your ride alittle, so if you are wanting to add them more for towing support than lift, you may want to go with a set of the Helwig helper springs they have.

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I am wanting to add the AAL for towing but was looking forward to the lift as well. I will mainly be using the Explorer to pull my boat and a trailer full of 4wheelers. If the load is too big...thats what the my truck is for. Thanks for all the input........Oh yea does Summit sell the warrior shackles as well? I lcouldn't find them on their website. I geuss I will just give them a call in a little while.