How To Install A Weight Distribution Hitch When Your Truck Already Has Air Springs

Question

Question:

I have a 2013 F250 FX4 6.7l. I am installing Firestone Ride Rite air helper springs, F2703 with Air Command, 2097. I am looking at picking up a travel trailer with a hitch weight of about 950lbs. Should I use a weight distribution hitch, and what would be the proper sequence for setting them up? I have found help articles on here where one says, You will want to level the truck/trailer with the WDH before airing up the bags. and the trick to it is to first setup the air bag air pressure and then set up the spring bar tension of the weight distribution.

asked by: Dan M

0

Expert Reply:

Since you don't have an auto-leveling air bag system you'll want to just put the 5psi minimum in the Ride-Rite's # F2703 and then set your weight distribution. If you were hauling something heavy in the bed, like an ATV, then you would want to level the bed first and then setup your WDH. Weight distribution is going to do a better job transferring the weight and keeping your trailer tracking straight than simply leveling your bed with air springs.

If you're experiencing quite a bit of sway then I recommend going with the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control # EQ37100ET. The 4-point sway control can be noisy but is one of the best options at a decent price point.

If you have occasional sway then I recommend the Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control # BXW1006. This system is by far one of the easiest to install and setup each time you need to tow and will give you a much quieter ride over friction sway control.

expert reply by: Kevin C

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Answer 1

Yes, you can use Air Lift 1000 Air Helper Springs with a Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution System like part #BXW0550. In regards to setup, you'd want to put air inside the bags first and then apply tension to the spring bars to take up the rest…

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Answer 2

You can use air bag suspension enhancement like the #AL88375 that fits your 2020 Ram 1500 with weight distribution systems but the trick to it is to first setup the air bag air pressure and then set up the spring bar tension of the weight…

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Answer 3

Suspension enhancement systems can be used with a weight distribution system without any problem, in fact, a weight distribution system is going to be more effective at leveling out your load than the helper springs in the sense that it will…

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Answer 4

Air bag suspension like the Firestone #F2609 and weight distribution can work great together but the trick is to inflate the air bags to the desired pressure first and then follow the setup procedure for the weight distribution to set the spring bar…

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Answer 5

What you will need to do is couple the trailer to your 2008 Ford Expedition and then use the air bags to level the vehicle as needed. Then you would set up and engage the spring bars on the weight distribution system. You then may or may not have to…

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Answer 6

Air bags are primarily designed to help suspend loads carried in the truck bed, and will not do much to distribute any of the trailer tongue weight to the front truck axle. Once your ATV is loaded into your truck bed, you will need to consider about…

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Answer 7

When using a weight distribution system with an air bag or air ride system you want to engage the air system first and then once it's settled go ahead and set the weight distribution system up.

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Answer 8

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…

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Answer 9

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 10

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 11

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 12

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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