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09-06-2009, 08:37 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Roseville
Posts: 57
M.O.C. #8071
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? On Dodge 2500 heavy tow package
So we have not really towed our RV for more than 800 miles 4 years ago. I have been living in it 2 weeks a month but my job is going away and at the end of the month we are towing our 3380 back to Montana. One of the things we noticed years ago was that people were blicking their brights at night thinking we had ours on. This lead us to beleive that we may need to add some heavy duty springs to the truck to prevent this. We do have the heavy duty package so I was wondering what other have done or suggest.
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09-06-2009, 08:52 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,294
M.O.C. #311
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The first thing I would do is weight (at truck scales) your truck and trailer then just your truck. This will give you the figures to calculate pin weight as well as provide you with all other weights.
I thought about adjusting my headlights down a little but other commented that was not a good idea. Never did it.
If you are now going to tow a lot then putting air bags on the rear axle of the truck will help eliminate that.
There should be many more posts to help you with your decision. Good luck.
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09-06-2009, 09:13 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location:
Posts: 560
M.O.C. #8818
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I had to adjust my headlights down, as the previous owner had them set too high to begin with.
Adjust your lights per the manufacturers manual without a load, and get some Firestone air bags to keep the 5er from compressing the rear springs more than a couple inches from unloaded height. Then, you should be good.
Or, you can just adjust your lights to the proper height with 5er loaded, and bring them back up when not hauling the 5er. Just make sure to count how many turns of the adjustment screws you make and know which direction to turn them to get back to the proper setting. The downside to this method is that you will, at some point, forget to adjust them for the proper height, miscount turns, or turn them the wrong way. Lots cheaper than Firestone bags though,
If your lights are properly adjusted for unloaded suspension and putting the 5er on compresses the rear and makes them shine too high, you probably need the air bags.
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09-06-2009, 09:20 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,702
M.O.C. #7992
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I had the same issue with our 09 Dodge 2500. I added timbrens to the truck. Did not adjust the headlights after adding the timbrens but could tell a noticable difference when towing. Seems to have solved the problems as I don't get the flashes from oncoming traffic like I did prior to adding the timbrens.
__________________
2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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09-06-2009, 09:25 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Essex
Posts: 1,123
M.O.C. #6880
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I would recommend the firestone air bags. You can adjust the air so you truck and trailer ride level. Have had mine on for two years and just love them.
Bill.
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09-06-2009, 10:35 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Weeki Wachee
Posts: 814
M.O.C. #7219
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The ride and comfort will be noticed after adding Fireston Air Bags. I wouldn't tow a big rv without them.
Hugh
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09-06-2009, 11:24 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 657
M.O.C. #9178
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Concur with the advice on air bags and you need to do a very serious tire inspection since your tires are four plus years old and the recommended replacement window is about five years. Tim
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09-06-2009, 12:32 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Here's another endorsement for air bags. The advantage to airbags is that they are adjustable which will then allow for better aim of the headlights.
Before attaching the trailer and with the air bags at the lowest recommended pressure (mine is 5-7 lbs on both sides), I measure the top of the rear tire to the respective fender edge (mine is about 11 inches). Then I attach the 5er, and prepare for towing. The truck's backend is much lower now. Then I inflate the bags evenly on either side until the tire to fender distance is back to less than 11 inches. This will provide very close to the same headlight aim as before the trailer was attached. In my truck this is about 60-65 lbs pressure in the air bags.
I do not use the same 11 inch height otherwise the trailer angle is too high in the front, but not enough to cause issues (I hope).
I should note I have a 4x4 and my truck sits more level when unloaded than my 4x2 did where the rear end was much higher than the front. I think this is just the way 4x2's versus 4x4 sit. I also still have plenty of room between the 5er overhang and the sides of the truck bed.
I hope this is helpful.
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09-06-2009, 02:16 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sunshine
Posts: 1,445
M.O.C. #538
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Don't tow at night>
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09-06-2009, 02:48 PM
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#10
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Roseville
Posts: 57
M.O.C. #8071
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Thank you for all the input. Looks like airbags may be the way to go. We will do some investigation. Tim43, I hear you on the tire inspection. I have had them covered for the 4 years the 5'er has been stationary (with the exception of towing it in for warranty work), so hopefully that has helped. A good inspection is in order.
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09-07-2009, 01:28 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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Air bags will also help level the trailer. Installation of just the bags is pretty simple. If you get fancy and add an onboard compressor and inside the cab display with control, it's more complex (and costly).
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09-07-2009, 06:24 AM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: North Vernon
Posts: 261
M.O.C. #9087
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Sounds to me like your truck is overloaded. I have a 2500 also and mine is level with 5er and no air bags.
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09-07-2009, 07:42 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW
Posts: 255
M.O.C. #7895
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Air bags will certainly level the truck, but they do not add any increase in cargo capacity.
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