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Old 06-22-2015, 01:31 PM   #1
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Towing question

I am towing the x17z with my old Tahoe. It looks like the rear comes Of the car comes down too low during towing. What can I do/install that would keep the rear more straight and not pulled down by the camper weight?
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Old 06-22-2015, 01:42 PM   #2
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Couple options...

Air Lift suspension
Roadmaster suspension
Timbrens

Google each one and decide what one is better for you.
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Old 06-22-2015, 01:48 PM   #3
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What year Tahoe? Are you using a weight distribution hitch? If not, you need one. The Tahoe's suspension is soft and not the same as the 1500 series PUs. I would worry less about the rear squat than putting the weight back on the front wheels, which is what weight distribution does.

We had a '95 Suburban that we used to tow our old Kiwi 17a (ancestor to your 17Z) and we needed the WD hitch with the 'Burb.
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Old 06-22-2015, 01:52 PM   #4
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It's a 2003. Weight distribution hitch? I will google that. Thanks
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Old 06-22-2015, 02:03 PM   #5
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Timbrens look to be the easiest option. Anyone have experience with those?
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Old 06-22-2015, 02:14 PM   #6
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The trouble with the options that TWP723 cited is that they will level the truck, but will not put weight back on the front wheels. That's your steering control. You need a WD hitch to do that. Ever tow with a "light" front end in a 40 mph cross wind? It's the epitome of "white knuckle" driving.

Please don't take the easy way out, this is a safety issue.

The GM specification is to measure the front fender before putting the trailer on the hitch. Measure again after putting the trailer on. Adjust the WD hitch to bring the fender back to stock height.
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Old 06-22-2015, 02:18 PM   #7
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The trouble with the options that TWP723 cited is that they will level the truck, but will not put weight back on the front wheels. That's your steering control. You need a WD hitch to do that. Ever tow with a "light" front end in a 40 mph cross wind? It's the epitome of "white knuckle" driving.

Please don't take the easy way out, this is a safety issue.

The GM specification is to measure the front fender before putting the trailer on the hitch. Measure again after putting the trailer on. Adjust the WD hitch to bring the fender back to stock height.

Good call Doc! He's absolutely correct on the weight distribution hitch theory. I was assuming you had one already. My bad. Very important!!!
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Old 06-22-2015, 02:50 PM   #8
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Weight distribution hitch is needed! And it will cure your problems and give you a safer more enjoyable towing experience. Invest in a good one.

Equil-i-zer Equal-i-zer® Hitch - The “American Original” with 4-Point Sway Control™ and Weight Distribution
Reese Dual Cam Reese - Dual Cam HP
Blue Ox SwaPro SwayPro® | Blue Ox
Husky Centerline Husky Center Line Towing System | Husky Towing

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Old 06-22-2015, 05:04 PM   #9
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What about those air helper bags?
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Old 06-22-2015, 06:14 PM   #10
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Schilly,

Forget the airbags and please read the above posts regarding weight distribution hitches, if you do not have one. Some great advice.

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Old 06-22-2015, 06:43 PM   #11
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Go with the wdh
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Old 06-22-2015, 07:30 PM   #12
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wdh definitely..my preference is equalizer...rock solid for 5 years.
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Old 06-22-2015, 08:13 PM   #13
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Okay, you guys convinced me. any specific model or brand that is best? I just hope they're fairly easy to install
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Old 06-22-2015, 08:33 PM   #14
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I am towing my x17z with a Tacoma dc and an equalizer wdh.
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Old 06-22-2015, 08:48 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Schilly View Post
Okay, you guys convinced me. any specific model or brand that is best? I just hope they're fairly easy to install
both the Equalizer and the Reese Straightline with dual cam are highly rated and user of both love them. You can't go wrong with either. Check them both out, watch some video posted on youtube on both of them. I went the Reese.

The link from Subaru297 is just the Sway cams that you can add to regular Reese WD hitch. Here's the link to the complete system

Reese - Strait-Line

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Weight distribution hitch is needed! And it will cure your problems and give you a safer more enjoyable towing experience. Invest in a good one.

Equil-i-zer Equal-i-zer® Hitch - The “American Original” with 4-Point Sway Control™ and Weight Distribution
Reese Dual Cam Reese - Dual Cam HP
Blue Ox SwaPro SwayPro® | Blue Ox
Husky Centerline Husky Center Line Towing System | Husky Towing

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Old 06-23-2015, 09:24 AM   #16
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You should also head to a CAT scale and determine what your tongue weight is. It is pretty easy to load up the X17Z really tongue heavy from what I hear. I don't have one.

The trailer is 3500 lbs GVWR so technically it may not need a WDH. The usual 500lbs cutoff (for needing WDH) would be 15% of the trailers weight. And 500lbs shouldn't be affecting a Tahoe that much.

Figure out your tongue weight before buying a WDH and check the receiver on your Tahoe for a sticker that lists the ratings on it. I jumped to a conclusion that all trailers need WDH and they don't when they are small trailers with light tongue weight.

I am guessing that your tongue weight is too high and some repacking is in order.
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Old 06-23-2015, 09:33 AM   #17
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The trailer is 3500 lbs GVWR so technically it may not need a WDH. The usual 500lbs cutoff (for needing WDH) would be 15% of the trailers weight. And 500lbs shouldn't be affecting a Tahoe that much.
In an above post I mentioned that the Tahoe has a soft suspension. That's typical of SUVs, even full size truck based SUVs. I towed a Kiwi 17A (3500# GVWR) trailer with a Suburban, and yes, I needed WD. There is no "cutoff" weight. The need for WD is determined by how much weight is taken off the front wheels. There is a spec for this in the tow vehicle's manual.

The rating on the hitch is what the hitch itself can handle, and is not the same as what the limits of the vehicle are. More often than not the hitch is rated higher than what's listed in the manual. The real limitations are often the frame and rear suspension.

True, not all trailers need WD, for example no need for it towing a small trailer with a 2500/250 series truck. But in the case of the OP, WD is the way to go.
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Old 06-23-2015, 10:14 AM   #18
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There is no "cutoff" weight. The need for WD is determined by how much weight is taken off the front wheels. There is a spec for this in the tow vehicle's manual.

The rating on the hitch is what the hitch itself can handle, and is not the same as what the limits of the vehicle are. More often than not the hitch is rated higher than what's listed in the manual. The real limitations are often the frame and rear suspension.
There absolutely is a cutoff weight as you just stated and it is determined by the manufacturer. And yes you are correct that he should look in the manual as the hitch cutoff could be different than the vehicle recommendations. Good catch.

But if he can repack his load and get it down to 450lbs of tongue weight and Chevrolet has determined that you don't need a WDH unless you are over 500lbs of tongue weight then he could save the money needed for a WDH and rather than spend $600 on a hitch he can spend $100 on Timbrens or something else to help suspension and be just as happy.

I do think that a WDH would help but he needs to make sure his tongue weight is in the right range before trying to correct a heavy tongue with a WDH. Once that is done he can decide if he wants to invest in a hitch as well.
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Old 06-23-2015, 05:38 PM   #19
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I use an Equa-li-zer E2 that I bought from makariosrv.com. great price & quick shipping. Call Fastway for help with picking out the right size,
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