Are airbags AND a WDH when towing overkill?

[G8RB8_12SR5]

I'm looking at an RV to use between deployments with a tongue weight of 400ish pounds (trailer is 4000ish lbs about 23ft length overall). I know that airbags can level it out and know that a WDH with friction sway control can also help with leveling it out. Question I have is utilizing both overkill or worthwhile investment? I don't plan on loading the back of the truck with enough weight when not towing that airbags could be useful in that regard but from reading around here it seems like it definitely improves the ride and overall experience when towing. The airbags aren't super expensive so it's not something I'm fretting over cost wise just want to tow things comfortably and controlled.

 

[blizz86]

I'm looking at an RV to use between deployments with a tongue weight of 400ish pounds (trailer is 4000ish lbs about 23ft length overall). I know that airbags can level it out and know that a WDH with friction sway control can also help with leveling it out. Question I have is utilizing both overkill or worthwhile investment? I don't plan on loading the back of the truck with enough weight when not towing that airbags could be useful in that regard but from reading around here it seems like it definitely improves the ride and overall experience when towing. The airbags aren't super expensive so it's not something I'm fretting over cost wise just want to tow things comfortably and controlled.

Both of these are not overkil, i would imagine they both serve their purposes very nicely.

That 400 lbs of tongue weight will make your rear end more saggy grandma butt, and will in turn make your headlights blinds everyone and thing.
And with 23 ft of trailer, on our short wheelbases i think a WDH is a huge plus.

So yes, go with both. And tell us how it goes + pics

 

[Titanpat57]

I totally agree with Brian....

Airbags are the single best mod you can do to the truck, and the WDH just helps to seal the deal....that hitch really helps to "unify" the TV and trailer.

Thanks for your service!

 

[scottjhl]

Would love to know where to find a WDH for our trucks...

 

[Yogi56]

I'm looking at an RV to use between deployments with a tongue weight of 400ish pounds (trailer is 4000ish lbs about 23ft length overall). I know that airbags can level it out and know that a WDH with friction sway control can also help with leveling it out. Question I have is utilizing both overkill or worthwhile investment? I don't plan on loading the back of the truck with enough weight when not towing that airbags could be useful in that regard but from reading around here it seems like it definitely improves the ride and overall experience when towing. The airbags aren't super expensive so it's not something I'm fretting over cost wise just want to tow things comfortably and controlled.

Be careful with the WDH, a lack of tongue weight will cause sway. The airbags don't redistribute the tongue weight, they just give you a better look. The WDH redistributes the tongue weight to the frame of the vehicle.

To setup the WDH properly, deflate the airbags then install the WDH, then top off the bags to firm up the ride. ALWAYS use the friction sway on a short wheelbase vehicle like the T4R when going on the highway. If you do get sway for some reason, only use the trailer brake controller by tapping it to stop the trailer from swaying. If you use only the tow vehicle brakes the sway will become worse. Another reason to allow more space when towing, is so your not forced to use to tow vehicles brakes to stop if swaying since trailer brakes only wouldn't work in an emergency stop.

I know it sounds like overkill but it only takes one time to have a trailer start swinging behind you on the freeway to understand why it's important. Calif is 55mph when towing and is probably a bit conservative but when you start going going over 65mph when towing it lessens your chances to overcome any issues.

 

[G8RB8_12SR5]

Thanks for the info guys. Once I get it all done I will take pictures. Good to know about the lack of tongue weight causing sway. The plan is to go with stock size Cooper ATP/AT3s or similar tread pattern in Load range "E", Teconsa P3 brake controller, airlift 1000 or firestone airbags, and the WDH. After reading a lot through the forums on towing, I think this is the best and probably safest setup for towing significant weight. (Can never skimp on safety, right?)
[MENTION=91763]scottjhl[/MENTION] this is the WDH I will probably go with....

Strait-Line Weight Distribution w Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 10,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW Reese Weight Distribution RP66072

 

[1engineer]

I just posted this yesterday in another thread but I will repeat myself:
I am probably more safety conscious than most, simply because I think about things most don't think about. With that said I recently pulled a 4400 lb trailer over 1,000 miles of mountains and flats. The 4Runner did just fine without a WDH or airbags. I have a TE but that should make no difference. Oh, the back of the 4Runner was loaded down too. The squat was minimal, as I took great care in loading. It was a tandem axle and I had no sway to speak of, even at 65 mph highway speeds. Other than getting 12 mpg it was a non event, except when the snow started to stick to the roads. I simply slowed down and allowed myself WAY more room to stop. If I were going to tow weekly I would bag it. WDH? Probably not unless you have issues.

 

[4x4twenty6]

I just installed the firestone ride rite air bags on my wifes 2013 sr5 4runner 4x4. I will be towing with it for the first time in a week(4/5/13). I have a 6'x12' enclosed uhaul trailer on reserve. I'll let you know how they perform. Its a good 7-8 hour trip I will be making on a mix between rural highways and interstate.

As far as how they feel with the vehicle unloaded, I absolutely love them! I have 9lbs in the bags and the vehicle is so much more pleasant to drive. More importantly the wife is happy. No more spongy feeling rear end. The cornering is also awesome with less body roll. I also installed a set of Toytec top spacers to bring the nose up. Very happy with the over all look and performance of the 4runner with the upgrades. I would have liked to do a full lift front and back but the wife wouldn't be able to get her pregnant little ass in the vehicle...So that will have to wait til' later.

Shoot me a pm if you have any questions.

 

[G8RB8_12SR5]

I just installed the firestone ride rite air bags on my wifes 2013 sr5 4runner 4x4. I will be towing with it for the first time in a week(4/5/13). I have a 6'x12' enclosed uhaul trailer on reserve. I'll let you know how they perform. Its a good 7-8 hour trip I will be making on a mix between rural highways and interstate.

As far as how they feel with the vehicle unloaded, I absolutely love them! I have 9lbs in the bags and the vehicle is so much more pleasant to drive. More importantly the wife is happy. No more spongy feeling rear end. The cornering is also awesome with less body roll. I also installed a set of Toytec top spacers to bring the nose up. Very happy with the over all look and performance of the 4runner with the upgrades. I would have liked to do a full lift front and back but the wife wouldn't be able to get her pregnant little ass in the vehicle...So that will have to wait til' later.

Shoot me a pm if you have any questions.

Will do.

I'll be towing the RV from the Seattle area down to Alameda, CA about 800 miles. Then using it to go on trips around the area like Lake Tahoe, Doran Beach Park, and Redwood National forest (and maybe one year make it my base camp for the FJ Summit, whenever I can finally get over there :biggrin2 Should be a lot of fun and since I'll be towing regularly definitely want to have the right equipment since it's not a one and done deal in my case.

 

[4x4twenty6]

Well I said I would post an update on towing with a set of air bags. I could not imagine having to tow a trailer without them. I ran 11lbs. of air in the firestone ride rite airbags and that was more than enough to stabilize the vehicle and trailer and keep everything level. The trailer was a 6'x12' enclosed Uhaul trailer loaded with some fairly light furniture. I believe the empty trailer weighed around 1300lbs. The trailer looked huge behind the 4runner and it felt like a had a damn sail behind me when we had a strong cross wind.
The engine in the 4runner ran strong but I new the trailer was back there especially with the transmission in overdrive. I quickly realized that it made for a much more pleasant drive if I stayed out of overdrive.
All in all I was completely comfortable towing with the 4runner. It is not my primary tow vehicle and it is my wife's daily driver. I have a full size truck for towing big items.

 

[simonj]

23' and 4000 lbs? What's it made from? Stainless steel?

PS. My 20' Jayco is 2700 empty.