Need Air Shocks?

Tim in New York · Nov 3, 2021

I have a half ton long bed truck with a 10K towing capacity, and a 10K trailer. So far I have only moved my little Kubota with no issues. But wondering if/when I tow one of my farm tractors that weight in the 6K neighborhood, will it squat the back springs too much, even if I load the tractor correctly?

I noticed a Super Duty go by yesterday towing a trailer with what looked like a JD2520, and the back was really low on the truck, which got me to thinking.

Will I need to beef up the back end of the truck?

Thanks,
Tim

MSD · Nov 3, 2021

Load the trailer properly and it should be ok. I like to put the rear wheels of the tractor centered over the 2 axles.

dpendzic · Nov 3, 2021

On one of my pickups i had helper springs added and on another had Firestone air bags added
I was carrying a camper that was 3200 lbs---the pickups didn't squat with a load on or with my bumper pull trailer with an 8000 lb tractor on it

504 · Nov 3, 2021

I am a firm believer in equalizer weight transfer hitches.(Commonly known as a Reese hitch) I had a small Toyota pu that would not hold my trailer tongue high enough for the jack to clear the ground. Using a Reese Hitch I pulled a 21 foot camper to the lake and back a lot. I still use the hitch towing with my 3/4 ton.

WESnIL · Nov 4, 2021

X 2 on the equalizer hitch. It is too bad that you are so far away as I have a complete one for sale. There are several brands and styles available but they all accomplish the same purpose. Unless I am loaded light or just local on a short run I use mine most of the time.

ArleninOr · Nov 4, 2021

Ti, put a set of airbags on it with an onboard air compressor. Will let you bring truck level with any load. When empty just let the air pressure down to about 40-50 lbs. Easy peasy.

Brendon-KS · Nov 7, 2021

If you read the fine print for the towing capacity of your truck I'm guessing you'll find some disclaimer saying that a weight distributing hitch is required with anything over maybe 5000 lbs. That prerequisite is pretty normal for half-tons pickups. Simply adding air shocks does nothing to take load off the rear axle and shift it to the front like what the weight distributing hitch does. Eliminating the squat with auxiliary springs can hide the potential overloading of other components in the system.

MJMJ · Nov 7, 2021

Just because I havent seen it mentioned, trailer brakes are a must. BTW, the tow rating isnt actually the amount you can tow. Its creative numbers for advertising. Your actual safe tow weight will be significantly less.

caterpillar guy · Nov 8, 2021

Need to match the truck to the job. If you don't you could end up with the tail wagging the dog. If you want to play truck driver hauling big loads then get the truck to do it right. Yup it will dig in to the pocketbook but you will not have worries about this and that. You will find more uses for a heavier truck than you will find scary moments. As it is now the wild rides are just about to begin.

chuck machinist · Nov 11, 2021

What MSD said! When it comes to tires on the truck,you would do well to go with e-Load tires and follow air pressure recommendations from the manufacturer. CM

showcrop · Nov 11, 2021

(quoted from post at 13:44:17 11/07/21) Just because I havent seen it mentioned, trailer brakes are a must. BTW, the tow rating isnt actually the amount you can tow. Its creative numbers for advertising. Your actual safe tow weight will be significantly less.

MJMJ, it is not generally considered responsible to post wrong information. Its been a decade since the Society of Automotive Engineers (along with any respective consumer and government agencies) hammered out a common, agreed upon method of testing vehicles to establish tow ratings. Notice "government agencies"

MJMJ · Nov 11, 2021

This post was edited by MJMJ on 11/11/2021 at 04:43 am.

caterpillar guy · Nov 13, 2021

Why do people want to load 1/2 ton pickups like they are a truck when all they really have is a car axle under them. If the axle shaft breaks it is down on the ground . With the floating axle of the 3/4 ton and bigger trucks the axle housing is carrying the weight while the axle just pulls the load. Just makes no sense to me. And if you want to haul big tractors or lots of them on a trailer you still need to match the truck to the load as well as the trailer. Air brakes are so much superior to hydraulic brakes for bigger loads too. Air brakes have so much more surface area for stopping.

ss55 · Nov 13, 2021

Will I need to beef up the back end of the truck?

Actually you will need a bigger truck. Air bags or helper springs don't do anything to improve the brakes, which are the weak spot on half tons. Is simply driving the tractor an option?

ASEguy · Dec 21, 2021

Do you know the GVAR?

Need Air Shocks?

Tim in New York

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MSD

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dpendzic

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504

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WESnIL

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ArleninOr

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Brendon-KS

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MJMJ

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caterpillar guy

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chuck machinist

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showcrop

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MJMJ

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caterpillar guy

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ss55

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ASEguy

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