How to improve towing?

[PLJ]

Hi, I'm new to this forum.

I tow a 2002 Cheyenne with a 2000 Chevy Venture. We get bounced around a bit and when fully loaded the van seems to be a little low. It will be at least 3 to 4 years before I can get the super duty truck so am looking at improvement options to my current tow vehicle.

Would an air ride hitch or air shocks help? What kind of price are we looking at? We are looking this year to make a trip from Minnesota to Washington DC. I just love those gas prices.

Just looking to make the ride smoother and safer for my family. A wife and 3 kids.

Appreciate any help and ideas.

[garym053]

Hi PLJ and welcome!
My BIL tows with an Astro and they put air shocks on it. Seems to help a lot according to him. I used to tow with a Jeep Cherokee and put helper springs on it. They really helped a lot.
By bouncing, do you mean sway, or just the van seeming like it's a little heavy in the back? Do you have scales nearby where you could see if you are loading more than 10-15% of the trailer weight on the tongue? I wouldn't go less as you may increase sway, but I also wouldn't go much more either!
Good luck!

[Kelly]

Welcome PLJ!  I just love it when Minnesotans show up here!!  

I'm researching the same problem with my Astro.  Still haven't decided what to do ~ I've gotten lots of good advice here, though!

I don't know if you're familiar with Kremer Spring & Body down in Inver Grove, but I would definitely give them a call and ask them what they think.  

[PLJ]

Thanks for the replies. With the way the snow is falling here today seems like camping are still an age away

I have a sway bar when I tow. So I don't have any side to side movement. Just lots of up and down in certain road conditions. I have plenty of weight on the hitch as I have a type 27 battery and 2 gas tanks. Plus with the front storage compartment full of kids gear, but I should get it weighed just to see. Would too much weight also be a cause?

[4campinfoxes]

Welcome to PUT!  Always glad to see more "midwesterners" here.  Minnesota is one of the places we like to camp.  

We pull our 2000 Bayside with a Ford E-150 van.  Plenty of towing capacity but we did install airshocks on the van.  I believe it has helped with the "bouncing" while we travel.


Sharon

[Kelly]

Thanks for the replies. With the way the snow is falling here today seems like camping are still an age away

Snow?!  What's that?!  I'm liking the way this storm has moved.  I'm just north of the cities and we haven't seen anything!  But hear you are getting blasted 'down south' ... hope it all melts real fast!!

Too much weight forward of your axle could definitely make a difference.  Have it weighed.  Better safe than sorry.  Also check to see that your trailer is level when you tow so that it isn't tipping toward your van ... if it isn't level that would add more weight to the van and less to the trailer.  My mechanic really recommends using a weight distribution hitch (wdh), as do many campers here.   That may be the best option in your situation.  Check your TV owner's manual ... they probably recommend one too.

Check out Tim5055's website  ~ it's full of great information!

Let us know what you decide to do.

[PLJ]

Yes the trailer is level

Looks like I'll get the air shocks. I was quoted at $475 for parts and installation.

I've spent many a time looking at Tim's website. It was from his website review that I just booked my Washington trip in Pohick Bay regional park in August.

thanks for the friendly welcomes and the helpful replies.

And for safety sake I'll get my trailer weighed. Can you use the weigh stations that trucks use?

[Kelly]

And for safety sake I'll get my trailer weighed. Can you use the weigh stations that trucks use?

You should be able to ~ at least from what I've heard here!  I use the local feed store's scales when I need to weigh mine.

oh! and I'll be eating my words about that snow.  We're getting it now ... inch or so already  :frosty:

[rccs]

You might do better with a weight distributing hitch than air shocks. Also it would be cheaper. I bought a single bar WDH from hitchmart.com for $269.95 shipping included for my new to me tow vehicle. It is very easy to install yourself especially on a Fleetwood trailer.

[copcarguy]

How about trying a set of Monroe LoadLevelers in the rear??  The first thing I do when I get a new vehicle is toss the wimpy stock shocks and put a set of these in:
 
 http://www.shockwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/shocks/mon_loadlevel.html
 

 
They firm up the ride and get rid of that "bouncing" and "low ride" you talked about.  A set usually goes for under $100...  HTH!

[OC Campers]

I had the same problem withj my Astro as a couple of other Astro owners mention here. I was told air bags and air shocks are not the right way to go. Part of my problem was the Astro had kind of soft shocks. I replaced them with top of the line gas shocks and that helped a lot. I then added a single bar WDH to level out the load and a friction sway device for sway issues. The end result was my rig towed 100 percent better.

As far as adding a weight distribution hitch, you should check your owners manual.My astro was rated to two 5000 lbs but the owners manual said to use a WDH on anything heavier than 2000 pounds.I found all this out AFTER I bought my extra-big pop up.
 
Good luck
 
Randy

[PLJ]

Thanks Randy.

I'm going to improve the shocks and go with a WDH. I'm looking to buy the single bar system from hitchesonline.com for $225. This includes the shank bar (whatever that means). I'll do a little more research as WDH are new to me just to make I'm getting the right one....seems to be lots of variety out there and lots of prices.

Are these fairly painless to install?

[OC Campers]

Man don't go with my idea, if it doesn't work I don't know what I'll do!

I started out with the double mar Reese Mini 350. It was not very easy to install and requred spacers and modifications. Later I added the Reese Single bar. It took about an hour to install. The only change I had to make was to move the battery box foreward to accomodate the lever. I also had to have a hitch guy weld  my sway device on to the trailer. There is a place on the hitch to mount the sway device ball in the event you want to do that.Keep in mind the single bar hitch does nothing for sway, that's a seperate deal. I would definately consult your owners manual on the Chevy and / or the dealer before you spend any money.
 
If you get going and are not comfortable with it, a hitch guy usually only charges a hundered bucks or so to install them, sometimes it's worth the peace of mind.
 
Good luck on the deal.