helper springs

**red02** · 06-07-2009, 08:00 PM

i tow a car trailer ever weekend 400miles to race with my 1500 2002 silverado i was wanting to know if helper springs would be right for me i tow right at 5000lbs and it dose sag the rear end some but i want your guys input thanks

**jwstewar** · 06-08-2009, 07:03 AM

I would look into a weight distribution hitch. It will level the load back out and put some weight back to the front of the truck to allow better control.

**Redneckmuddking** · 08-06-2009, 10:11 PM

heavyer duty springs work a little better than helpers

**kcb37** · 08-06-2009, 10:31 PM

Firestone ride rite helper springs.

**johnsonmtz** · 08-11-2009, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by jwstewar

I would look into a weight distribution hitch. It will level the load back out and put some weight back to the front of the truck to allow better control.

That's my vote as well. One of these http://www.etrailer.com/pc-WD2~49569.htm

should do nicely for your needs. The nice thing is you can keep the stock ride of the truck when you're not towing the trailer.

Something also to consider is the actual tongue weight. Your receiver is designed for a max 500# of dead tongue weight. If you're squatting the rear that much, you might be exceeding that rating. The WD hitch will eliminate this problem and make the truck much safer when you're towing. AS JWSTEWAR said, the WD hitch will shift weight forward and put weight back on the steering axle where it needs to be.

If you have never set up a WD hitch, see this info: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/17730894.cfm

KJ

**bhwakeboarder** · 08-12-2009, 02:17 PM

I have pro comp add-a-leafs and they work great on my 99 tahoe. They were like $70 or something shipped. Ride quality didn't really change other than I cranked my torsion bars a little to level out the truck. Add-a-leafs will raise you up an inch or so in the rear. It made my 4000 boat tow sag go away.

**red02** · 10-13-2009, 09:17 AM

how do this work?

Originally Posted by johnsonmtz

That's my vote as well. One of these http://www.etrailer.com/pc-WD2~49569.htm

should do nicely for your needs. The nice thing is you can keep the stock ride of the truck when you're not towing the trailer.

Something also to consider is the actual tongue weight. Your receiver is designed for a max 500# of dead tongue weight. If you're squatting the rear that much, you might be exceeding that rating. The WD hitch will eliminate this problem and make the truck much safer when you're towing. AS JWSTEWAR said, the WD hitch will shift weight forward and put weight back on the steering axle where it needs to be.

If you have never set up a WD hitch, see this info: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/17730894.cfm

KJ

**jwstewar** · 10-13-2009, 09:56 AM

Not sure if you are asking what do they do or if they work well.

First off, they work great. They do exactly what their name implies. They distribute the tongue weight of the trailer across the entire tow vehicle (meaning it adds weight to front axle as well as rear). This will allow to steer the vehicle. We have all seen the truck going down the road and you can see daylight under their front tires. This will prevent this. These don't allow you to tow more than your vehicle is rated to tow, but it does allow you to tow up to your tow rating safely. If you read the numbers on your hitch, it will probably also allow you to tow almost twice the weight as w/o a weight distribution system.

The other thing they do which often gets over looked. They locked the trailer and the tow vehicle together so that when you are going down the road, the don't start porpoising because the trailer isn't bouncing the back of the truck up and down.

I've towed campers for a lot of years, including our current one which is way too much for my truck, and there is now way I would tow a camper w/o a weight distribution system. I have one now that I use on my 16+2 flat deck utility trailer. Makes it pull nicer - even when empty.

**rocktheworld** · 10-13-2009, 11:28 AM

Helper Springs! Got the firestone, guaranty they will get the sag out of whatever ur towing or hauling. There awesome and work well, Always loaded my truck up with tons of junk and still truckin! Glad my truck had them when i get it!

**red02** · 10-13-2009, 12:05 PM

i gusse i have never seen that over loaded of a truck i have seen the back sag alittle but never where it would bound the front end off the road.I have no iusse with my street inless its down hill then it feel like the street gets abit soft