Slight sag on new 5th wheel

MM

Mmartin

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Joined
Jul 20, 2020
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28
Location
Anaheim hills
We just purchased a new Eagle 321RSTS. I have a F350 with 4100lb of payload so no issues there. I could probably live with the slight sag on the truck but am looking for options to bring it up 1-2 inches. The Eagle is only riding about 1 inch nose high.
Airbags, Timbrens, Sumo Springs and RAS are all options. Have researched them all to the point of paralysis by analysis. I had a RAS system on my GMC Sierra for my Whitehawk and liked it but it does add over an inch to rear when not towing.
I would appreciate input on what you use and what you like or dislike.
 
I put the Firestone Airbags with onboard compressor when I had my 2014 F-350 DRW. I didn't like the sag and it put my headlights aiming in the wrong direction.
 
I went down this road with 2019 Chevy 3500 and a 321RSTS. Same bags as the above poster. I had minimal sag. Only detectable with a tape measure. In my case, I primarily added bags to aid with the bounce I got now and then. They didn’t negatively impact ride. It was just as bad with or without pressure. Think I ran maybe 10-15lbs of pressure towing. Unloaded, I really couldn’t tell they were there.
 
Maybe all you need is some new heavy duty shocks. Your payload should be okay... I've found my 321RSTS pin weight can easily get over 2k, my hitch alone is about 300 lbs, wife and I are another 310 and we carry another 300 lbs of stuff in the truck. With all that we don't sag a bit. Have you visited a cat scale to check your payload? I've had timbrens for my 3/4 ton but didn't need them on my 1 ton and seems like you shouldn't either.
Anyway... I suggest new shocks might be the first thing to try... easy first step. Maybe one of the following:
  1. Bilstein 5100 Monotube Gas Shocks
  2. Rancho RS5000
  3. Rancho RS9000XL
  4. Monroe Gas-Magnum Truck Shock Absorber
  5. Bilstein 4600 Series Shock Absorbers
 
Stan&Sharon said:
Maybe all you need is some new heavy duty shocks. Your payload should be okay... I've found my 321RSTS pin weight can easily get over 2k, my hitch alone is about 300 lbs, wife and I are another 310 and we carry another 300 lbs of stuff in the truck. With all that we don't sag a bit. Have you visited a cat scale to check your payload? I've had timbrens for my 3/4 ton but didn't need them on my 1 ton and seems like you shouldn't either.
Anyway... I suggest new shocks might be the first thing to try... easy first step. Maybe one of the following:
  1. Bilstein 5100 Monotube Gas Shocks
  2. Rancho RS5000
  3. Rancho RS9000XL
  4. Monroe Gas-Magnum Truck Shock Absorber
  5. Bilstein 4600 Series Shock Absorbers
Click to expand...

I’d agree with this. Shocks won’t give you support, but at the same time bags will firm up an already stiff suspension. I’m on my second 3500 with bags and with both I started out with higher pressures and after more and more driving I keep lowering it to where they’re having minimal effect. For example, I started with 30 psi on this truck. Then, ran 25 and 20 for a while. Now 15. I doubt they’re doing anything. I also added Bilstien 5100’s. Very easy task. Easy except the front. Those are a pain in rear removing the wheel well liners. Not complex. Just tedious. I bet that’s done more for the truck than bags.
 
The struggle is real. I want airbags on my dually but worry that taking the 2” sag out of the truck will also minimize the clearance I have between the cap and the bed rails. Currently I have about 6”. If I raise the hitch I end up quite nose high on the camper. Trying to find the appropriate compromise.
 
My 2016 F350 DRW sagged 2" with my 16,750 lb fifth wheel trailer so installed TorkLift Stable Load Suspension Upgrade for Upper Overload Springs
https://torkliftcentral.com/rving-and-towing/suspension-upgrades/stableload to mitigate that. My new 2024 F350 DRW will have Air Lift LoadLifter 7500 air bags with internal jounce bumper (helps prevent bottom out) and compressor. Reason is to extend suspension components service life, mitigate rear sag and optimize ride.

Since you mentioned your Eagle is riding about 1 inch nose high can you adjust your fifth wheel hitch height to level?
 
Last edited:
I did airbags with the 5th wheel toy hauler. It did not change the ride it did allow me to level but put things back to "normal" when unhooked which changing shocks will not do in most cases. The ride was smooth and hooking and unhooking became much easier. At that time I was driving a Chevy 2500 Duramax.
 
cariboocreek said:
The struggle is real. I want airbags on my dually but worry that taking the 2” sag out of the truck will also minimize the clearance I have between the cap and the bed rails. Currently I have about 6”. If I raise the hitch I end up quite nose high on the camper. Trying to find the appropriate compromise.
Click to expand...


Actually airbags allowed me to set the space between the bed rails and 5th wheel to an acceptable level.
 
I installed a Reese gooseneck and it is at highest level. I might replace the B&W ball with a shorter one. I have 8” between the truck and 5th wheel so I do have an inch or two to play with.
 
When hooked up, is it preferable for the truck to be level or is it better for it to be closer to it’s normal height?

The reason I ask is because my F-250 naturally sits 3 and a half inches high in the rear. The 321RSTS drops it 3 inches to virtually level. I can’t imaging adding anything that could increase the trailer height as I’m currently at 13’ 3” with the nose of the trailer 2” higher than the rear.
 
Bigdog said:
When hooked up, is it preferable for the truck to be level or is it better for it to be closer to it’s normal height?

The reason I ask is because my F-250 naturally sits 3 and a half inches high in the rear. The 321RSTS drops it 3 inches to virtually level. I can’t imaging adding anything that could increase the trailer height as I’m currently at 13’ 3” with the nose of the trailer 2” higher than the rear.
Click to expand...

Just my opinion, level is best.
 
cariboocreek said:
Just my opinion, level is best.
Click to expand...

I agree, and that’s what makes the topic so interesting.

The F-350 in the original post drops below level under load and now may require supplemental suspension.

The F-250 with the same trailer drops to level under load and does not require supplemental suspension.

I wonder what I’m missing.
 
Great point. I am 1” below level with the F350. I am only 2” above level prior to the putting the Eagle on. Even if I was level I would probably put something in the rear to stiffen against sway. I do not like white knuckling it in wind or winding roads.
I decided to order timbrens. If I do not like the result I will put airbags on.
 
We were bouncing all over the place when we first got ours set up. I called B&W up in Kansas and told them what going on.

They simply asked for the make and model of the truck and trailer then told me which set of holes to use on the hitch arms. That move the nose of the trailer down one inch and forward two inches and now it feels stuck to the truck is it should.

It’s also interesting that the trailer has the same 3 inch impact on both vehicles.
 
Just installed the Timbrens on my 2020 F350. Virtually went from a drop in rear and a rise in front to nothing front and rear. So far very impressed.
 
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