Adding Suspension Enhancement to a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 With Weight Distribution

Question

Question:

I have a soft sprung 2000 Silverado 1500. Am towing 5900# trailer with 980# TW with a dual cam WD setup with 1000# bars. Would adding this product improve towing performance? Would I need to add a similar product to front axle? Would I have to re-calibrate my WD setup afterwards?

asked by: Mike H

0

Expert Reply:

There are a few things that you can do to improve your ride quality when towing your 5,900 lb trailer with your 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The first thing that I noticed is that the 980 lb tongue weight of your trailer is close to the maximum capacity of your spring bars. If you step up to a weight distribution system rated for 1,200 lbs tongue weight or, if possible, upgrade your spring bars, then you may notice that the weight distribution system is more effective.

You should also keep in mind that the weight of any cargo in the bed of your truck behind the rear axle must also be calculated for the tongue weight of the weight distribution system. If the tongue weight of your trailer is 980 lbs and you have 200 lbs of cargo behind the rear axle of your truck, then you are exceeding the weight capacity of your spring bars. This will make the weight distribution system ineffective.

One possible solution is loading the trailer differently so it has a lighter tongue weight or ensure that your truck and trailer are loaded so that the total tongue weight is less than 1,000 lbs and the spring bars are adjusted properly.

You could also add a suspension enhancement system like the Timbren Springs, # TGMRCK15S, that you referenced. These springs would assist your trucks stock suspension when towing your trailer. The spring bars on your weight distribution system will need to be adjusted after the Timbren springs are installed. You would not need to add a set of springs to your front axle.

Keep in mind that adding the Timbren springs to your rear suspension will help reduce sag, but they do not distribute weight. The tongue weight of the trailer plus the load in your truck bed will still be resting on the rear suspension. I would first ensure that you are using a properly rated weight distribution system before adding suspension enhancement.

I have attached a few FAQ articles on weight distribution and Timbren suspension enhancement for you to check out. They should give you a good idea on the functions of both systems.

expert reply by: John H

0

Answer 1

I have two options for you to help with squatting while towing with your 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. These two options are the Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System part #TGMRCK15S and the SumoSprings Solo Custom Helper Springs part…

view full answer...

Answer 2

I have a solution for you but adding the Timbren Suspension Enhancement System item #TGMRCK15MR to your 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 is not a good idea. This system is typically only used on work body trucks or vehicles that are used exclusively for…

view full answer...

Answer 3

So just to answer the first part of the question, since you don't have a lift on your 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 you do not need a spacer to use the Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System #TGMRCK15S. As for comparing the Timbrens to the…

view full answer...

Answer 4

The correct Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System for a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 z71 Trail Boss is part #TGMRCK15S which offers a simple bolt-on install. There will be no spacers or additional parts needed for installation even with the…

view full answer...

Answer 5

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

view full answer...

Answer 6

There's not many differences between the Air Lift WirelessONE item #AL25980EZ and item #AL25980. The main difference is that the item #AL25980EZ has a slightly higher CFM at 1.03 compared to 0.92 and it runs slightly more efficient at 9% over 15%…

view full answer...

Answer 7

Hey Dustin, thanks for reaching out! I will recommend SumoSprings over Timbrens all day everyday because they are much more forgiving when the vehicle is unloaded. We've actually joked around here about how the Timbren kits will either give you…

view full answer...

Answer 8

The best place to confirm the towing capacity of your 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 with 5.3-liter V8 engine is the printed owner's manual. This will reflect the capacity of your specific pickup with the particular mix of equipment…

view full answer...

Answer 9

SumoSprings would definitely be the solution I would recommend for your squatting concern. The SumoSprings Solo Custom Helper Springs - Rear Axle item #SS45MR have a 2,800 lbs capacity which would eliminate that carolina lift look you get when your…

view full answer...

Answer 10

Hey Jay, yes the CE Smith Multi Sport Kayak Trailer part #CE48870 would work great to transport a 2024 Old Town Bigwater EPDL 132. The bunks can be moved all the way together if needed and the angle is adjustable as well so you'd be able to fit…

view full answer...

Answer 11

Steel and aluminum trailer wheels of the same size and bolt pattern will have the same rating. One is not better than the other in that regard. Aluminum is superior for corrosion resistance but tend to be more expensive. The D is not a size…

view full answer...

Answer 12

The reason that 10 Gauge #10-1-1 or 12 Gauge #12-1-1 wire is recommended for 10" brake assemblies, like part #AKEBRK-35-SA, is because they pull more power than the lights on your trailer. I believe the green wire you are referring to carries…

view full answer...