www.iFourWinns.com

http://www.airliftcompany.com/al1000.html
Considering getting a set for my Trailblazer. I am still under the recomended tow capacity, but my truck does sag when hooked up to the boat. Any info on these or something similar is appreciated.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

I tried air lifts in my 4-Runner when towing at the maximum weight. They provided a noticeable improvement in handling. I would say about a 25 percent improvement. Unfortunately that helped me believe that I could continue to tow at the maximum weight under all circumstances. NOT TRUE. I came very close to losing control the first time a big rig passed me while I was going 55 mph. The 4-Runner is now owned by my daughter and a used GMC 2500 is used to SAFELY tow my 255 Sundowner.

The lesson learned is that heavy trailers do not tow like light trailers. I towed a 14 ft boat for many years with my 65 HP VW bus (near the weight limit) and never had a control problem other than slow acceleration. I then towed a 17 ft boat with a 95 HP Isuzu Tropper (at the weight limit) and never had a control problem other than slow acceleration. I think at when you get to about 5,000 lbs you need a towing capacity about 30 percent above the weight you are towing.

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2006 Sundowner 255, 5.7 GXi, 320 hp
"Simply Irresistible"

I would have to agree with Capn. My Jeep GC was under its tow rating as well but sagged and I did not like how that felt. I looked into the air bags, then went out and bought the Armada....problem solved.

Well as of right now a new vehicle is still a few years off (2010 GMC 2500 in my future), but mean while the Trailblazer works great for going the 3 miles back and forth to the launch we use. Only reason I even looked into these is we were thinking of taking a trip this summer about 150 miles away and would like to be able to take the boat with us. Guess maybe it would be easier to borrow my father-in-laws 2500 HD. Only problem with that is he lives 150 miles away.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Tow it the 150 miles with what you've got....Just don't overload the truck or boat plus keep your speed down. The extra hour it takes to safely get there doesn't justify the expense of any band aid or vehicle upgrade.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Would definately not recommend air bags as a fix for your sagging rear. Instead, look at Hayman Reese Weight Distributing Hitches. I used these for years towing race cars around the country and they work great. I would certainly recommend them.

http://www.haymanreese.com/index.htm

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

I have a Reese Weight Distributing Hitch also - I use it for longer pulls and when I am loaded with camping gear and it helps to level out my Tahoe.

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

3 words, Moog Cargo Coils.

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2000 235 Sundowner
Previously 2007 Horizon 190
2004 Chevy Avalanche Z71

I have them in my 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee and for short towing at low speeds they work fine...if I did high speed towing I'd look into both a WD hitch and electric/hydraulic brakes as that is the best combination for safety you can have. But my towing is less than a mile to ghe boat yard...maybe 4 miles to the repair shop if there is something I need done I can't do my self....for this the Air Lifts are fine...

You know on the subject of WD hitches some boat trailer companies (Load Rite being one of them) do not recommend WD hitches because of both the possibility of surge brake interference (this can be solved though with the EQUALIZER) and the fact that the WD hitch can overstress the tongue of a boat trailer which is very different than the tongue of a travel trailer....

The reason why some vehicles benefit from air bags is that some SUVs use soft springs to give a good ride which is what most people buying SUVs want but when it comes to carrying loads leaf springs are superior...the air bags will greatly stiffen the coil spring suspension and prevents both sag and the bouncing motion that the tongue weight of the trailer can cause...but they cannot provide weight distribution....and if you are close to your weight limit...moving up to a better tow vehicle of course will make the biggest difference...

outside of towing they are great also if you are carrying close to the load limit of your SUV and want it to ride level...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

You guys all make good points, but needless to say still can't decide if they would be worth it or not. Basically I would be makeing maybe one long trip a year. Only reason I am thinking I might need something is on this longer trip we would have a lot of extra weight in the truck and boat. Bringing enough stuff for two kids, the wife and I for a whole week adds a lot of extra weight. However I could make sure that before we do go that the gas tank in the boat is almost emty on the way there. That would save a lot of weight as I have a 90 gallon tank. Towing the boat with the truck unloaded I am fine, but worried about the extra weight added for the trip. Might just find a way to borrow a bigger truck for the week. Might be the easiest and most cost effective.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

More important than how easy it is, or how much cheaper it might be, it will be the safest route to go for you and your family. That should be your focus.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

To answer if they are worth it...they are really inexpensive...I think you can get them from
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm

they are a little over 80 bucks and the install is easy...I did it on my old 98 Jeep in about 1 hr and that was 4 years ago...I leave 5 psi in them when not loaded and the ride is exactly the same as stock. When towing the boat I put in 25 psi and there is no sag and no bouncing motion from the trailer....As long as you are SURE you are towing within the safe limits of your tow vehicle I see no problem with them...by that I mean if your tongue weight does not exceed Chevy's specs for a dead weight or weight carrying hitch...and your total towed weight is under the tow rating...then as long as it handles safely at the speeds you will tow at it should be fine. NOW of course if your tongue weight is more than that and Chevy says you need a WD hitch to be safe then that's what you need....

And as I said even when not towing I think you'll find they come in handy...I used them on many camping trips with a fully loaded Jeep...no sag no bounce....the other thing that helps greatly with stability...Bilstein monotube high pressure gas shocks...they are so better than the twin tube crap on most SUVS that you have to experience them to believe it...Monroe is not even in the same universe as Bilstein....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

AS near as I can tell Moog doesn't make them for my truck.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

sorry to edit - but we need to keep civil ya'all.

I keep hearing in my head the line from Jaws with a twist. "we might need to get a bigger truck"

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2006 FW 203 FS
2005 Dodge Laramie 1500
2003 CRF 247F SuperMoto racer
2001 CBR1100XX

No problem Scott. Thanks. Sorry got a little upset there. Anyway hopefully my problem is solved. Found a nice used 2004 Silverado for a good price. Just need to talk the wife into trading in her car for it! We both hate her car anyway so heopfully she goes for it and then she can drive the Trailblazer.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)