Timbrens

[Yellowcorvette]

My bumper drops 2 3/4 in when hooked to 5th wheel. Thinking of installing Timbrens. If bumper only drops 1 -1 1/2 in, the 5th wheel I assume would ride higher in the front. Will this shift any weight from the pin to the trailer axle?

[franktafl]

Have you considered airbags?

[dsol]

If the trailer rides higher then I think it is a safe bet more weight will transfer to the axles. However, I would suggest you drive across some Cat scales and double check everything.

Bumper tow trailers can be very sensitive to tongue weight.

[Ben S.]

Hi - I have a 2009 Dodge Ram and the rear end sags quite badly when hooked up to my trailer. Installing a Blue Ox weight distribution hitch did not seem to help with the sag. I was thinking of installing air bags but they are quite expensive and you need to fiddle with compressors, etc. They can also be damaged and lose air in which case you need a replacement. I then thought of getting air shocks but again you need to fiddle with compressors etc. I discovered the Timbren bump stops and had them installed. Overall, I am very happy with this solution. The trailer stays relatively straight and you don’t have to fiddle with air compression. Also when you drive without a trailer, you don’t notice any difference. No maintenance solution and they were much less than air bags.

[acdii]

Since you are towing a 5th wheel you have several choices. Roadmaster AS, Timbrens or Sumo, or airbags.

Timbrens/Sumo are only active when there is weight in the bed and wont affect ride quality when empty, which is a plus in most cases

Roadmaster Active Suspension is all time active and can improve ride and handling, especially with worn springs. I have these on my F350 and made a huge difference towing and empty.

Then there are airbags. Probably the most expensive solution, and the only one you have to muck around with when hitching and empty where all the others are set and forget.