WDH with Air Bags

[BillMc40]

Just bought a 2018 Jayco 34 RSBS. I have a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. The hitch is an Equalizer 14000/1400. I have read where you shouldn’t use air bags with a wdh. Defeats the purpose of the hitch. The truck is level just trying to smooth out the ride.

[GrumpyDad]

I'd love to learn more about this topic. All I know for sure is that you can't use air bags INSTEAD of a WDH. If you have both, I suspect there's a proper way to use both in conjunction.

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by BillMc40

Just bought a 2018 Jayco 34 RSBS. I have a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. The hitch is an Equalizer 14000/1400. I have read where you shouldn’t use air bags with a wdh. Defeats the purpose of the hitch. The truck is level just trying to smooth out the ride.

Based on my experience with my auto-leveling air suspension if you are already level without the air bags you'd probably need to drop the ball down an inch or two to account for the lift from the air bags. Some experimentation may be in order to determine the ideal psi in the air bags and how much lift is generated by that and whether or not the rear drops as much with the air bags in play as compared to the stock suspension.

I haven't really seen any difference in the front axle weights with the wdh engaged and the suspension enabled vs disabled so I've just focused on ensuring that the ball is not so high that when the suspension is activated (or psi is added to air bags) and counters the tongue weight it doesn't raise the tongue above level - I actually like it about an inch lower at the tongue than the bumper.

[mjlaupp]

It's a simple procedure: First load the truck and level with the air bags. Turn off auto leveling if you have it. Then attach the trailer and re-level with the WDH.

[2edgesword]

Based on what I've seen airbags can help level the vehicle but don't do a good job of weight distribution. I think ttavasc is correct in that if you're going to use airbags you need to drop the ball somewhat to account for the lift you'll get from the airbags but it will take so trial and error to get both the weight distribution and bags to work properly together.

[ShawnR]

What I've read is set up the hitch with 5 psi in the bags then add air until the truck just starts to lift, about 20 psi. That should dampen the bounce without effecting weight distribution or level. Disclaimer: Not my experience. Relaying info I have read.

[Marcm157]

Every situation is going to be different but I run 22 psi in my bags when towing. It took a bit of trial and error to get it right but after measuring the rise to the rear that 22 psi gave me I compensated by adjusting the hitch angle / height accordingly. I confirmed my weights at a CAT Scale before and after the adjustments.

[geezerbob]

I run mine at about 20lbs

[BillMc40]

I have read and reread. Still confused. My son says Dad the truck and trailer are level. I would make another trip or two before I did anything. So I know I have to take the trailer back to Grain Valley Mo for warranty work. That is a 225 mike trip. I will measure and remeasure the truck and the trailer to make sure every think is level or as close as possible. I never had sway just what felt like bounce. #Asaa

[RogerR]

I have air adjustable shocks on my Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland that are fully automatic. That being said they have no effect on weight distribution, just help level the car. The main purpose is to adjust the height of the car based on driving conditions. I can raise them up for snow drifts, rocks and mud, lower for entry and loading and for aerodynamics.

My Andersen hitch does not care what height the car is as to distribution but I have had to adjust the hitch ball height as parked entry height results in a nose down tow.