www.iFourWinns.com

I'm not asking because of the boat. As a new marching band dad I've begun towing a couple of different school band trailers. These are 22', 9K lb. GVWR, tandem axle trailers but which are just under 7K fully loaded (we loaded them up and took them to the scales to be sure). This is within the published ratings for the truck but not by much. Power for towing and stopping seem to be fine (the trailers have electric brakes and I installed a Tekonsha P3 controller), but rear end sag is more than I'd prefer. IMO the trailer mfr. placed the axles too far back, so that when they're loaded the tongue weight is much more than it should be.

Since they aren't my trailers and I'm not the only person towing them, any mods to them are out of the question and weight distribution is probably not a very good option. So for the first time I'm looking into adding a leaf, air bags, etc., and wonder what experiences or advice the members here have. I'd prefer to install something and forget it, and not have to inflate anything or do other maintenance. And I'd like to not destroy the ride quality for the 97% of the time I'm not towing. I realize these features may be mutually exclusive.

Edit: Anyone have these?

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Mike I have the Air Lifts on my 98 Jeep and they work great. You do have to inflate them but it's really not a big deal unless you are towing all the time...they need about 5 psi in them to keep their shape and on coil spring vehicles you can put in a max of 35 psi. I used to run about 20 when I used it to tow the FW with about 300 lbs of tongue weight. They completely eliminate the bouncing motion I used to get from the trailer. Best of all when not inflated for loads NO effect on the ride at all...
There are other options such as add a leaf (may increase stiffness) and the Timbrens (no air but not adjustable). I plan to put the air bags in my newer Jeep next summer....they are also great for carrying loads even with no trailer.

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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

I put the air lift bags in my Durango and it made a big difference towing my 268. A lot more stability.

For the price they cannot be beat!

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

What's a good source for air bags? Since I have to get something done this week, I'll probably have to find someone to install them if I go that route.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I had the air bags installed two weeks ago. Problem I had immediately was that I popped the first one I attempted to inflate. I got the 5-35 PSI briefing from the mechanic, but what he failed to tell me is that they inflate very, very, very, very, quickly. It only took about 5 seconds of air at the gas station to over-inflate and burst the first one I attempted to inflate. Don't know if was a defective airbag, or if I am an idiot to assume that five seconds of air wouldn't pop the damned things.

No awaiting parts to have it replaced. Just want to level the ride on my 1/2 ton Suburban somewhat when I am towing our H210. Hopefully, after all this money and frustration, they'll actually do the job.

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Scott
2008 Horizon 210 Frenzy Edition
Volvo 5.7L Gi

The guy at the local spring shop has me talked into the Timbrens. He had to order them and they should be here in a couple of days. Supposedly they have about an inch of no engagement when the truck is unloaded, and then once they "land" on the axle their resistance increases quickly. Sounds like what I'm looking for, and the price is right, so we'll see. Thanks everyone!

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Mike I have heard that they work well too...
http://www.shockwarehouse.com
sells shocks (Bilstein is my personal favorite, they transformed my old Jeep into a vehicle nearly impossible to bottom out)
air bags and other cool stuff...

If your truck ever needs shocks I'd put the yellow Bilstein HDs on them in a minute, they are far superior to the mass market stuff from Monroe....high pressure gas and at 85K miles damping is like new...

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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

Thanks Lou. I'll probably need to do the rear shocks before too much longer so I'll keep that on file.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I don't have air bags on my truck, but I do have air shocks on my Harley. Similar situation in that you can't use an air compressor or you'll blow them out. I have one of these handheld pumps for my Harley. I bet you could find something similar that would work for your application.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442292571&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309149264&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309149264&bmUID=1285678825528&bmLocale=en_US

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2005 FW Horizon 250
8.1L VP DP

I used an electric tire inflator and never had a problem with them...they do fill fast but just stop and check....

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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

Do they help to level your tow vehicle when you pull the boat?...or to they just stiffen the ride?

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Scott
2008 Horizon 210 Frenzy Edition
Volvo 5.7L Gi

The Timbrens should have no effect on the ride, since they don't engage until load is applied. Air bags could affect the ride, or not, based on how they're inflated. Another option is to add a leaf to your spring stacks, which can be a good option but will affect the ride at all times.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Depending on the actual amount of tongue weight, the air bags can level the vehicle. They do stiffen the rear suspension if inflated for carrying loads but not a the no load inflation pressure (5psi) you can't even feel them till they get about 10-15 psi in them...
Once for fun I put in 32 psi, they made it as stiff as a 3/4 ton pick up! I like the adjustability factor but the other solutions can work well too....

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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

Our H210 doesn't really affect the handling of my suburban too much...I just didn't like that the boat made that long truck look like it was low in the rear. See below:

Hopefully, they will add just enough lift to level me out a bit.

Just got the truck back today from the repair, so will experiment with them a bit before I put the trailer on again. I'll have to add a before/after picture to see if there is any difference in appearance.

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Scott
2008 Horizon 210 Frenzy Edition
Volvo 5.7L Gi

I bet the Sub has no problem with the tongue weight of a boat that size...the bags will level it out nicely and also if you carry heavy loads in the back it will also keep the ride motions under control. Both of my Jeeps have relatively soft springs (to allow the axles to articulate well off road) so the bags are a good addition. I have had em in the old 98 for about 5 years and never had a problem with them...I have both plumbed into one fill line so the issue of them filling up fast is not a problem. Like I said I use an electric tire inflator and you can see the rear of the Jeep start rising then I stop and check the pressure...

_________________
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