Does anyone have Air springs to keep truck from squating

[LD1]

Air bags are nice as long as you understand the limitations.

Air bags WILL help keep the steering and driveline geometry in better order, keep the lights pointed in the right direction, and make it handle/ride better.

But they wont increase your hauling capacity, weight ratings, take any weight off the axle, etc.

So its easy to over load things and not realize it.

I agree, I think you need to go to a scale and see just how much weight you are putting on the hitch. And then make sure the hitch and insert are rated accordingly. Seen ALOT of 1/2 tons with a hitch rated for 5k and 500# tongue weight max.

 

[MMagis]

Start with going to a scale and weighing everything to find out how much weight is actually on the rear axle and on the trailer.
You might just need to adjust where the tractor sits on the trailer.

I don't think he has that option, the tractor barely fits on the trailer.

I didn't see it mentioned, how much do you intend to haul the tractor around? If it will be just once or twice a year, a set of Timbrens or airbags, plus the weight distribution hitch, would probably be the way to go. If you need to haul it more often, it's time to consider a bigger truck. My guess is you're probably exceeding the trucks safe capacity. No matter what truck, I hope you have a brake controller and trailer brakes.

 

[Junkyard Jim]

I'm just backin up what others have said about weight distribution hitches, ride height and braking. I love my air bags wether I have 15 pounds in them for a small load or 90 pounds for a maxed out trailer with distro.

I bought a 12V air compressor and put a plug on it so I can plug it in at my trailer light connection and have power to air up. It would be nice to have an onboard but it doesn't take long to adjust each side to the proper ride height. My little finger and thumb spread as far apart as possible and stuck between the top of the tire and the bottom of the bottom of the bed is the right heighth for mine.

 

[aczlan]

I don't think he has that option, the tractor barely fits on the trailer.

I didn't see it mentioned, how much do you intend to haul the tractor around? If it will be just once or twice a year, a set of Timbrens or airbags, plus the weight distribution hitch, would probably be the way to go. If you need to haul it more often, it's time to consider a bigger truck. My guess is you're probably exceeding the trucks safe capacity. No matter what truck, I hope you have a brake controller and trailer brakes.

6" or 8" can make a big difference depending on where the axles are in relation to the load, but the first step is to measure the load on the trailer axles, the tongue and the truck's axles. That way he can see if he needs a weight distributing hitch, or if moving the tractor back 8" is enough to get the tongue weight within the limits of the hitch and the rear springs.
I agree 100% on needing a brake controller and (if possible) brakes on both trailer axles.

Aaron Z

 

[Garandman]

We have Airlift on our Odyssey minivan (which has a tow hitch). We have each side to a chuck inside the fuel filler door. We pump them up with a bike pump.

I measured the unladen height for front and rear wheel wells and put the measurements there, so once we are loaded up I can measure again and balance it out.

 

[willy851]

I probably won't travel too much with the backhoe, so I would be able to move the tractor back and be 900# lighter. The trailer ramp prevented me from moving back, but I can modify it and move the tractor back 10". The max tongue weight is 1220 pounds. The weight distribution hitch seems like a good place to start, since the trailer definitely isn't carrying the weight properly. The trailer has electric brakes on both axles.
The weight distribution worked much better when I backed the tractor on the trailer, the engine was over the axles, not sure if that's the solution, since the loader isn't against the front of the trailer.

 

[terryknight]

I don't think he has that option, the tractor barely fits on the trailer.

I didn't see it mentioned, how much do you intend to haul the tractor around? If it will be just once or twice a year, a set of Timbrens or airbags, plus the weight distribution hitch, would probably be the way to go. If you need to haul it more often, it's time to consider a bigger truck. My guess is you're probably exceeding the trucks safe capacity. No matter what truck, I hope you have a brake controller and trailer brakes.

just asking, but how do you know his tractor/loader/backhoe barely fits on his trailer?

 

[aczlan]

I probably won't travel too much with the backhoe, so I would be able to move the tractor back and be 900# lighter. The trailer ramp prevented me from moving back, but I can modify it and move the tractor back 10". The max tongue weight is 1220 pounds. The weight distribution hitch seems like a good place to start, since the trailer definitely isn't carrying the weight properly. The trailer has electric brakes on both axles.
The weight distribution worked much better when I backed the tractor on the trailer, the engine was over the axles, not sure if that's the solution, since the loader isn't against the front of the trailer.

Backing on sounds like a good plan, as long as you have enough tongue weight. I would suggest backing it on, then hit a scale to check weights.

Aaron Z

 

[s219]

just asking, but how do you know his tractor/loader/backhoe barely fits on his trailer?

I just purchased a new L4701 with loader and backhoe and my F150 didn't appreciate the load. The rear end dropped 6" and I barely fit the tractor on the trailer.

.....

 

[terryknight]

oops..... my bad i should read better