Shocks for towing

[JohnB]

I'm not pleased with the stock shocks, fronts too weak and rears don't control trailer movements very well. I know there have been posts on other forums, but I would like the guys that tow to give me their views. I'm leaning towards Rancho 9000 due to the adjustability--whats youz guys think?

------------------
01' 2500,SB, Club Cab, 5spd,3. 54 LS, Bright White, Camel Leather. Pillar mount boost & pyro, fuel presure guage. 2001 Sunnybrook 27' 5ver

 

[TowPro]

I got my truck just for towing. Around 50K I switched to Bilstens and love them. (I have a 2wd) This spring I will put shocks on the trailer (if I don't get layed off monday). My 2000 Terry has the shock mounts, but no shocks. I here they make a difference also.

Originally posted by JohnB:
I'm not pleased with the stock shocks, fronts too weak and rears don't control trailer movements very well. I know there have been posts on other forums, but I would like the guys that tow to give me their views. I'm leaning towards Rancho 9000 due to the adjustability--whats youz guys think?

 

[Guest00]

THe adj feature of the R-9000 is great. I keep the fronts set on 3 all the time and alternate the rears from 1 bob tailing, firm ride. Use 5 while towing as this eliminates a lot of sway and you dont get any bounce and jounce, real smooth ride. Bobtailing at 5 in the rears will cause you to pee blood, like riding and old hard tail cycle.

They give you the best of both worlds. good M/T ride and better control and good ride towing. You have the custom ride control that a single valve shock does not. With single valves you can ride easy either M/T or loaded but not both.
My other can tell the diff when I back out of the drive if I forget to reset them. " You forgot to adj the shocks again didn't you. #ad
"

------------------
2K, 2500, Quad, SB, 4x4, 3:54LSD, A/T w/ DTT VB, TC, TC SAVER and AUX COOLER , REESE 15k 5th slider, EASLEY BULL BAR, MAAP NERFS, BFG-TA's, 9000's,TORQUS MAXIMUS 505 lbft ECM, stealth DD2's, Bully Dog Boost & elbow, ISSPRO pyro, boost & transmission, Turbo Lifesaver, JARDINE 4", PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH TP& DC, AFE filter, GEAR VENDORS OD, TAYLOR WING onboard.
pullees:
#1 y2k ARTIC FOX 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
NRA-LIFE, VFW-LIFE, SoCSA-LIFE, SASS

 

[JohnB]

Thanks-jnutter--That was what I was thinking. I've used Edelbrocks and liked them but I'm not convinced that the rears would work correctly with the input from the 5th wheel hitch. I used Bilsteens on my motorhome and they were great, but I think the ride from the rear will be harsh empty. My trailer has 4 wheel shocks an rides pretty smooth. Anybody else have opinions??

------------------
01' 2500,SB, Club Cab, 5spd,3. 54 LS, Bright White, Camel Leather. Pillar mount boost & pyro, fuel presure guage. 2001 Sunnybrook 27' 5ver

 

[Bill Stockard]

I use Rancho 9000s. I set the rears on "1" when empty, on "4" when towing the Hitchhiker which has shocks on all 4 wheels, and on "5" when hauling my Lance slide-in camper. I keep the fronts on "3", except when hauling the Lance, then I put them on "4". I'm pleased with the results.
Bill

------------------
Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, Rancho 9000, Air Lift 5000 Air Bags, TOYS: '97 Hitchhiker II 31' 5th Wheel, 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW, '94 Lance 990 11' 3" Slide-In Camper, Torque-Lift Camper Tiedowns

 

[Powder Extreme]

I agree with Bill and have just about the same setup, big camper and big 5'er, RS9000's. I like the cushy Cadillac ride when all 4 are set on 1. I was suprised at how big of a difference they make even empty. MUCH SMOOTHER! #ad


------------------
2001 Quad Cab Dually, 6 speed ETH, SLT Plus, Isspro Pyro & 50lb Boost, Dual Fuel Pressure Guage, EZ Box, 275 injectors, Banks Power Pack, custom airbox, amsoil dual bypass, 4" DD exhaust, Horton fan, Ceramic clutch, Air Lift airbags.

'94 SLT 4x4 V-10, straight pipes and a K&N (can't find anything else

 

[RAMalama]

JohnB
Great question. You and all who've replied, have pretty much solved it for me. 9000s here I come!

TowPro
Hope you're enjoying your Y2K Terry. Just bought my Terry in Sept last year and over all am very pleased...

R/ Ian.

------------------
'95 2WD 3500 std cab, 4:10, 5spd. 68K miles all towing 35ft 14K-lbs triple slide 5er. Completely stock but learning...

 

[ARARAR]

If your going to be doing a lot of towing just go ahead and get you self a set of air bags, far better than replacing your shocks. I have the Firestones and love em.

 

[JohnB]

arar--I don't have any problem supporting the load ie: truck sits above level and not on the overloads. Do you think that the airbags still are needed? I was thinking just better damping rates of the shocks to control the spring movement better.

------------------
01' 2500,SB, Club Cab, 5spd,3. 54 LS, Bright White, Camel Leather. Pillar mount boost & pyro, fuel presure guage. 2001 Sunnybrook 27' 5ver

 

[FDziurda]

I run 9000s with the fronts set on "3" and the rears set to "2", when unloaded. When I pull my 26' TT, I increase the tire pressure from 48 lbs to 60 lbs and set the rears to "4".
Frank

------------------
Frank Dziurda - K7SFN
Carson City, Nevada
'99. 5 2500 4X4 6-Speed Quad Cab LWB 3. 54 LSD

 

[ARARAR]

All depends on how it handles with a load especially when you hit them roller-coaster dips a high speeds. We're not talking weight distribution here, cause with a 5er all the weight is on the rear axle and them dips can effect steering. Does your truck squat at all with your 5er? Do you know exactally how much weight it brings to bear on your hitch? If I remember correctly, each air bag is rated @ 5k lbs for a combined weight of 10k @ 1psi per 40-50 lbs of weight. You have to maintain a min. of 5psi at all times to avoid pinching them. I believe that for stability and saftey they are unmatched "especially" when towing. There are several good brands available, I just happened to buy the Firestones because of their availability. When I was doing my home work I could find very little difference between any of them. I usually forget to deflate them after towing and the only time I feel them to be to stiff is when I go over one of those speed bumps at the malls.

 

[Crazy Horse]

The Ranchos all the way is my vote. I just got done with putting 20,000 miles on my dually with a 4300 lb camper in the bed the whole time. The front shocks were set at 3,the rears were set at 4. The front axle weight was 4800lbs,the rear was 6820lbs,trailer weight was 1700lbs. The shocks worked great under all drivable conditions.

------------------
2K Dodge 3500,4x4,SLT,Quad Cab,PR4 Red,Auto Trans,3. 54's,Anti-Spin Axle,Trailer TowPack,3 Piece Auto Ventshade Hood Protector,"BEEFED" up Factory Camper Pack(No Airbags),Factory Fogs,Rear Slider,Rancho 9000's,Rhino Spray In Liner,Smitty Built Nerf Bars,Alpine 60x4 Watt CD Player,BD Plug n Power,K&N w/Modifed Stock Box,Amsoil 15w40,EGT Guage,And Enjoying The Ride.

2K Dodge 2500 SLT RC LB PB3 Blue
99 Dodge 1500 SLT/Sport RC SB Solor Yellow {Her Truck}

 

[ARARAR]

That's fine for a "dually" but we're talking a 2500 with a short bed. Big difference in the ride.

[This message has been edited by arar (edited 05-09-2001). ]

 

[Big-D]

I use the Ride-Rite air bags and wouldn't change to an adjustable shock again. The ease of putting air into them is far better than adjusting shocks. Takes less time and I don't have to crawl under the truck either.
Just my two cents. Dave

 

[frijole]

Can anybody comment on the ride quality with air bags, with the truck not loaded? I have a '01 dually that's stiff even with only 50 psi air in the duals unloaded, and would like to get it to ride smoother.

------------------
2K1 auto 4x4 QC dooley--stock as a rock--except for shiney stuff.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

I have a 2500,4x4, std cab,long bed. I have both the rancho's and air bags. Empty set the air bags at about 14lbs and the ranchos at 1. Air rear tires to 50 lbs. This gives a firm but not too rough ride IMHO. Ride confort is like most every other thing on this web. What is good for one may not be liked by another.

------------------
96 2500 4x4 Driftwood auto DTT TC & VB Smart Controller Pac Brake Stan's 4" exhaust turbo to tail Warn 4x boards pyro,boost,trans temp on a piller, mag hytec trans pan, Reese 15k 5th wheel hitch Pulling 200 Alfa Ideal 31RL

 

[JohnB]

Been out of town all week. Checked in and found lots of new posts--thanks. arar-my rear axle weight is 4700# loaded. Truck handles fine and is sitting slightly above level, no squat--just trying to get a little better ride control over the whoops.

 

[SMorneau]

When empty my 2500 4x4 has 5 psig in the bags and you would never know they are there. They have been on for 3 years and seem to be holding up well. I rate them as a very good product.