Suspension troubles

[ademers]

Hello,

My latest problem concerns not my 2002 Starcraft, but the 99 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 that we use to tow it.  The rear end drops down 4 to 6 inches when I hook the camper to the hitch, to the point where the wheel wells are just slightly above the rear tires.  Anyone have any affordable ideas on how I can strengthen up my suspension?

Thanks

[wavery]

Hello,

My latest problem concerns not my 2002 Starcraft, but the 99 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 that we use to tow it.  The rear end drops down 4 to 6 inches when I hook the camper to the hitch, to the point where the wheel wells are just slightly above the rear tires.  Anyone have any affordable ideas on how I can strengthen up my suspension?

Thanks

I'm not real familiar with the Jeep Cherokee rear suspension but I believe that you have coil springs on that vehicle.

You have a couple options. The cheapest is air shocks;
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductBrowse/showCustom-0/makeName-Jeep/makeId-40/modelName-Cherokee/modelId-1163/year-1998/showAll-1/N-+200728794+1998/refId-20004501/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2006168/c-10101/p-2006168/tf-Browse/s-10101

Have a professional look at your suspension to see if it will handle air shocks. With air shocks, part of your load will be carried by your shock attachments. They really aren't designed to carry heavy loads on some vehicles. They are merely designed to absorb shock loading.

Or you can look into air lift kits:
http://www.airliftcompany.com/load_support_index.html

[austinado16]

With that much sag, you may want to consider a weight distribution hitch which will force the load of the camper tongue to the front of your Jeep and level you out.  It will also make it tow a whole lot easier.  Sounds like your Jeep may be at close to it's limit in trying to haul your PUP.

If you don't have coil springs in the rear my you could at an extra spring leaf to each side, or a set of helper springs.

[flyfisherman]

However, some Starcraft's cannot handle a WDH, just depends on the model.

[AustinBoston]

The rear end drops down 4 to 6 inches when I hook the camper to the hitch, to the point where the wheel wells are just slightly above the rear tires.

With that much drop, it would make me suspect the Jeep's suspension may be damaged, or the tongue of your Starcraft is grossly overloaded (and at risk of damage).

Someone mentioned a WDH; while I am a fan of weight distributing hitches, that is more drop than an appropriately sized WDH can deal with.

Austin

[tlhdoc]

I used Timbren Rubber springs on my Windstar van.  They are easy to attach and did a good job on my sagging van.