FINALLY got a TRUE, removable towing solution..(see pics)

[trophycummins]

Here’s a picture that will give everyone an idea as to how my truck would sit WITHOUT the additional airshocks (bottom pic), then how it sits WITH them (top pic). This is also without the weight distribution bars or the deavers. That’s just stock.

Remember, trailer weighs 6,000 lbs loaded and has a tongue weight of 760 lbs. I carry about 350 lbs of gear in the bed of the truck.




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Not to mention your blue ox isnt hooked up like in the top pic

 

[GM3SF]

Not to mention your blue ox isnt hooked up like in the top pic

Correct. Take another look. I mentioned that in the post:
“This is also without the weight distribution bars or the deavers. That’s just stock. ”


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[photoneffect]

As I mentioned above, I’m close to this tongue weight with my trailer and sure, it isn’t close to bottoming out, but even with my +3’s, it still sags some. I’m sure you know this, but if you’re not towing very far or often, not a big deal. Over time though??..... the shock doesn’t like to be cycling through when being compressed like that.


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Are you nose down a little with the +3? Why did you choose that particular version? Also kinda curious in what way the Deavers make the ride quality better.

 

[sobiloff]

I worked with the folks at RPG yesterday to get their Stage 3 rear suspension kit installed on my ‘17 SCREW. We went with Deaver’s +2 HD because of my towing requirements. HD means there’s a little extra snail on the forward end of the spring and it raises the rear of the truck up an inch. +2 by itself is equal to the factory height. Once the springs settle the truck will be a little “stink bug” (rear high), but I can live with that.

I’ve driven for about an hour since they were installed. My initial impressions are that the plush, floaty feeling is gone from the rear, but surprisingly (and happily) the ride isn’t jarring—it rides better than my old F-250, for example. It seems to still soak up the small stuff, but I felt it quickly get firmer when hitting some big dips at speed on the highway. The truck doesn’t lean as much through the turns, and it doesn’t squat or dive as much, either.

I have my dog with me so I can’t drive it hard yet (he doesn’t like being bounced around), but so far I’m cautiously optimistic that we’ve come up with a good setup. The contrast between the front and rear is noticeable, though, so I may want to do something to the front (different springs, most likely) to stiffen it up a bit as well so the front is balanced with the rear. Right now the front will bounce a couple times after a bigger hit, while the rear has already stopped oscillating.

Later today I hope to get my trailer and see how the truck does with it.

 

[swanstreaming]

The proof is in the towing. On top is after Izzy’s mod, below is stock. Both shots have the same weight distribution bars.




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[loupuleff]

I have a Coleman e3 pop up I haven't towed yet I only have 300 miles on the raptor I'm thinking I'll just give it a trial set up today to see how it sits hooked up. I would appreciate any towing recommendations from you guys this thread is pretty informative though I'm hoping I can run stock but definitely want to upgrade my brakes they aren't the greatest imo.
Thanks !

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[sobiloff]

I have a Coleman e3 pop up I haven't towed yet I only have 300 miles on the raptor I'm thinking I'll just give it a trial set up today to see how it sits hooked up.

Certainly do that. Do you have a way to measure the tongue weight? I’m guessing the e3 is pretty light on the tongue, so you might be alright without having to do anything to the rear suspension.

I would appreciate any towing recommendations from you guys this thread is pretty informative though I'm hoping I can run stock but definitely want to upgrade my brakes they aren't the greatest imo.

Actually, the brakes are pretty good in that they’re powerful enough to easily lock up the wheels on the highway. The problem is the brake feel sucks, making it feel like there isn’t much braking power there. You can go to a more aggressive pad to improve the initial bite, thus make it feel like the brakes are “sharper,” pretty cheaply. No need to go for a big brake kit unless you just want to. (I understand that urge!)

 

[loupuleff]

Certainly do that. Do you have a way to measure the tongue weight? I’m guessing the e3 is pretty light on the tongue, so you might be alright without having to do anything to the rear suspension.



Actually, the brakes are pretty good in that they’re powerful enough to easily lock up the wheels on the highway. The problem is the brake feel sucks, making it feel like there isn’t much braking power there. You can go to a more aggressive pad to improve the initial bite, thus make it feel like the brakes are “sharper,” pretty cheaply. No need to go for a big brake kit unless you just want to. (I understand that urge!)

450 lbs tongue weight max with a 4 wheeler on the front. I agree about the feel of the brakes plus their probably not really set yet with 300 miles on them.

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[sobiloff]

450 lbs tongue weight max with a 4 wheeler on the front. I agree about the feel of the brakes plus their probably not really set yet with 300 miles on them.

Ah, I didn’t figure on the 4-wheeler. That’s a significant amount of tongue weight. Go ahead and hook it up, but I’m going to guess there’s more sag than you want.

Deavers are the correct way to address it, plus they’ll improve the ride at the rear.

 

[GM3SF]

I have a Coleman e3 pop up I haven't towed yet I only have 300 miles on the raptor I'm thinking I'll just give it a trial set up today to see how it sits hooked up. I would appreciate any towing recommendations from you guys this thread is pretty informative though I'm hoping I can run stock but definitely want to upgrade my brakes they aren't the greatest imo.
Thanks !

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I’m assuming that, like us, you’ll have some gear you take along to set up camp. If that’s the case then you have that 450lbs (4-wheeler + pop-up tongue weight) plus what’s in the bed. That adds up quickly if you have stuff like tools, a gas can, generator, grille, chair, table, etc). Make a list of that stuff and estimate the weight of each item. You’ll be surprised how quick it adds up. My gues is that you’ll find you have an extra 200-300 lbs of gear.
Good news is that the airshock setup is probably overkill for your setup. BUT, I’d definitely get the deaver +3’s. That will really help.
As for the brakes, I just checked the specs of your trailer and it shows you have electric drum brakes. You should be just fine. I have the stock brakes and although they’re not the best, with the brake controller set with the right amount of gain, the trailer will handle the braking of the trailer and the truck will brake as it always does (more or less).
So again, Deaver +3’s and you’ll be happy. They also make the ride of the truck a lot smoother than stock so you really can’t go wrong.


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