Kore Suspension for Towing

[MartyK]

Hello,



I’m a new member, joined in October, and this is my first post.



I’m currently gathering information for my purchase of a new 2005 3500 4x4 QC Long bed CTD Automatic. (This will be my first diesel). I currently tow a 5th wheel travel trailer with a GVWR of 9500 lbs and a pin weight of 1400 lbs. I only tow about 10% of the time, the rest of the time the truck will be my daily driver.



I would like to install the Kore Chase suspension with the Weld Wheels and 35” tires. I’ve read quite a few threads about the Kore suspension, and every one says it’s great for off-roading, highway expansion joints and normal driving around. My questions are. Is anyone towing a 5th wheel with this suspension, and what are your thoughts? Will this suspension make the rear of the truck too soft for the weight of my trailer? What axle ratio are you using, I’m leaning towards the 4:10.



Any other input is appreciated.



Thanks for your time.

 

[bchesley]

I cant comment on the Kore, but I have 35's with the 3. 73 gears, and wish I had the 4. 10s. Next truck will have them for sure.



Brad

 

[WoodChuck]

I plan on doing the KORE suspension and installed Firestone Ride Rite air bags to supplement the leaf springs. Any suspension has to give under weight which results in your headlights blinding oncoming drivers. The air springs allow you to compensate for the increased load and keep the truck level under any load conditions.

 

[Po' Riggity]

If you are FOR SURE going to 35's go with the 4. 10 gears, and the KORE suspension is nice, but Im not totally sold on it yet... Ive ridden in a truck with it, that had some 35" Pro comp exterrains, and it rode as well as my stock truck does, which isn't bad considering it was lifted 2. 5" and most lifted trucks ride like crap, but I'll probably end up throwing some leveling spacers up front and calling it a day.

Scott

 

[JCleary]

I just had the chase system installed, and I like it a lot. The real magic resides in the combination of the springs and the shocks. It does ride much better, especially in the rear. Stock it is mushy up front and super stiff in the rear. Now it's more balanced.



I have 3. 73's and Toyo 35's. I really wish I had 4. 10's. I don't even tow much, but I like the effortless feel the truck had when driving with near stock tires. With my 6 speed, the truck is a bit labored now taking off in 2nd. Probably wouldn't be as noticeable with the automatic, but I think the auto would do some extra shifting due to the increase in tire size.

 

[Fireman]

If you put 35s on your 4wd it's going to be awfully tall for towing a FW.



FWIW

Fireman

 

[Doubleclutch]

I'm only pulling a 25' airstream with your set-up and a 6 speed... 3. 73 gears. 4. 10s would be better for lots of towing, but 10%? By the way... WELCOME TO THE TDR! You're going to love the truck. Fireman DOES have a point about height though!

Greg

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I have a 5 horse stock trailer ( 12,000 lbs loaded) that I pull around with my 03. It does a great job hauling it. I have a custom spring pack in the rear, that is a little softer than the Mini Pack, but it rides real nice. I will post a picture later. I also am running 37" tires and with an ez and a few other mods, the gearing is great.



Greg



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[tpuig]

With the T-Rex front and rear shocks, but no rear leaf pack, running the Weld/Toyo 18" combo I felt absolutely no difference towing a car trailer on two occasions. Solid and firm. But this is a fraction of what you'd be pulling.

If you do go for larger tires, I'd recommend the lower 4:10 gears.

TP

 

[MartyK]

Good point Fireman. Does anyone know the height at the top of the tailgate on a '05 3500 4x4 running 35"? Does the Kore suspension change the ride height at the rear or is it all in the larger tires?



Thanks for your help.

 

[CLAYTON]

I tow with 315's and it's just fine... I like having the 3. 73 gears too. . no problem towing with big tires and that gear ratio. If I were to tow a lot I would go with the 4. 10 gears... With an auto and a daily driver I would definitly go with the 3. 73 IMO

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

This truck sits 1 inch low in the front with the current setup. Remember, I have the custom leaf packs in the rear. Not the mini packs.



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[desertbull]

In the 2004 motor sports season, I towed over 40,000 miles with my Dodge and a KORE Race Suspension. I'm towing a 40 foot triple axle enclosed race hauler with the complete KORE Race Suspension including the replacement MINI-Paks. Many people said it wouldn't work... . GUESS WHAT?



They were wrong. It works great and its the only way to go. :--)



I can tow on the pavement for miles on end and then rage in the dirt chasing King Boardman... yes, I said chasing Boardman!



Here we are at the top of Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado... one bad hombre of a hill... thanks to ATS Diesel Performance and KORE Performance this hill was a no-brainer!

 

[Fred Swanson]

Ah Tim, but can you catch Boardman?

 

[MartyK]

Good looking truck Greg!!!

With 37's I guess yout running 4:10's?

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Good looking truck Greg!!!

With 37's I guess yout running 4:10's?

you got it!!! Poor mr swanson only has the 3. 73's

 

[Fred Swanson]

Hey, it works just fine with 3. 73's.

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[SLinse]

I tow my 35ft 5ver with my 315's and 3. 73. 4. 10 would probably be better for getting going, but I have no problems taken on the hills with my EZ. I tow about 10% of the time as well, so I would much rather have the 3. 73(and it his HEAVY).



I did the axle swap on my trailer which helps alot. I don't have any problems. Been in some tight spots on road job camps, and have to watch it, but have never had a problem.



I'm really thinking about the KORE setup as well. I think it is about time to get on the phone.