Recommendation for Eliminating Sag in the Rear Suspension of a Dodge Dakota when Towing  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The Timbren Suspension System, item # TDDR05, is designed to help with stabilizing and leveling your 2007 Dodge Dakota while providing a more comfortable ride when towing or carrying a heavy load. When towing a trailer that causes the rear of the vehicle to sag you will not be eliminating the problem with the Timbren system, because all of the weight of the trailer tongue will still be on the ball and the hitch. The rear of the vehicle will remain more level but the tongue weight will still cause a rough and many times bouncy ride.

The best, and safest, recommendation for a vehicle that is sagging under the tongue weight of a trailer is weight distribution. A properly setup weight distribution system will transfer much of the tongue weight of the trailer to the vehicle axles and trailer axle/axles.

For your Dakota and trailer with 420 pounds of tongue weight, the Reese Trunnion Style Weight Distribution Kit with Shank, 600 lbs. TW / 10,000 lbs. GTW, item # RP66540, would be a good match for your setup. With this kit you will also need a properly sized hitch ball with a 1-1/4 inch diameter shank like the Tow Ready 2-5/16 inch Ball # 19286, or the Curt 2 inch Ball # A-90.

If you have experienced any trouble with trailer sway I would recommend a weight distribution system with sway control. These systems help to keep the trailer straight behind the vehicle when on the highway when high winds and large trucks are encountered. The Reese Strait-Line Hitch 600 lbs TW / 12,000 lbs GTW, item # RP66072, is the most advanced design with dual cam sway control. With this setup you will need to purchase a weight distribution shank, item # RP54970, and a hitch ball like one mentioned earlier.

We have a FAQ article on weight distribution and a video showing the installation and setup of a weight distribution system for you to review.

expert reply by: Robert G

0