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Old 10-08-2011, 01:49 PM   #1
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Hooked up and pulled new FW, seemed like front end of Truck was a little light while pulling. Weighed truck and trailer everything was in specs, drive axle was at 5000lbs, Rear axle gross is 6000 heavy but within spec. My question would adding air bags help bring the front end down so it doesnt feel so light in front.

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Old 10-08-2011, 02:36 PM   #2
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Air bags will raise the rear. How much is the rear dropping when hooked up? You should have maybe 2" of drop.
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Old 10-08-2011, 04:33 PM   #3
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Start with, truck make and model, then trailer, same thing.



Three weights, front axle, drive axle and trailer axles. Drive axle and rear axle doesn't compute, same thing...



Sounds like you're pulling a 5er with a half ton that the dealer said would do just fine...Uh-huh
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Old 10-08-2011, 09:40 PM   #4
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The front end didn't get any lighter, just the rear axle got a lot heavier. With the hitch placed 1 or 2 inches in front of the truck's rear axle, something less than 100 lbs was added to the truck's front axle. The rest of the pin weight is on the truck's rear axle. If the rear suspension is sagging significantly, especially if you are riding on the jounce stoppers, then steering will feel different. Even if everything is OK, steering may still feel different, til you get used to it.
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Old 10-09-2011, 12:19 AM   #5
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2001 dodge automatic, short bed quadcab 5.9 diesel. Weights with trailer loaded and full fuel. FW 305skp. steer axle 3640, drive axle 5080, trailer 7720, gross 16440. Didnt get a chance to drop FW and weight it seperate. Unhooked at campground now, when I hook backup Iam going to check on how much rear end drops. Truck pulls FW fine, like I said just seems like truck front end likes to float more than normal. Previous FW was 1000 lbs lighter and I didnt notice the truck doing this. Thats why I was wondering if air bags may help. thinking of moving spare tire to rear, other then that cant distribute much more weight to the back

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Old 10-09-2011, 01:51 AM   #6
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Until you get this corrected to your satisfaction, be very careful driving on wet/slick roads. If the front end feels light on dry pavement, it will be worse on slick roads.



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Old 10-09-2011, 02:29 AM   #7
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You might also want to look at Timbrens. I have them on my truck and they work very well.
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Old 10-09-2011, 03:36 AM   #8
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That year also had an option called the camper special, and it gave you an over load spring to help pervent this from happening if you do not have this option than go with what hunter has it only come into play when loaded. The AIr bags have to be adjusted when unloaded or you will get a rougher ride

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Old 10-09-2011, 04:26 AM   #9
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I do have the Camper Pkg. extra spring. Talked to some other people here at the campground and they said pretty much what Dayle had said. that I just wasnt use to it. It ist like swaying all over the road, just feels different than last FW. Was just concerned. In Chattanooga now and headed out in morning to Ohio. So will see how it goes through some of the mountains. Got title to truck with me, just in case I got to trade it in. Then would have to decide what kinda truck. Since all the new ones now use DEF, not sure how that affects mileage.

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Old 10-09-2011, 04:43 AM   #10
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Yep you added about ( approximate) 250 lbs pin weight over you last unit

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Old 10-09-2011, 05:56 AM   #11
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Is your RAM a 2500 or 3500?

DEF actually improves the milage over the previous models that just used DPF and EGR.
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Old 10-09-2011, 06:17 AM   #12
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While you are unhooked toodle over to a scale and weigh just the truck. Then you can see what is different. Especially if the front end got lighter. Look at your hitch and make sure it's over the rear axle and not behind it.



Otherwise have fun, 3680 lbs on the front axle is not exactly light...You wouldn't want to run over your foot,,,GRIN
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Old 10-09-2011, 06:24 AM   #13
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not sure what def is,but dodge is not putting urea injection on the exhaust till 2014
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Old 10-09-2011, 07:02 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joescuba
not sure what def is,but dodge is not putting urea injection on the exhaust till 2014




DEF is the reactant necessary for the functionality of the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction)system. It is a carefully blended aqueous urea solution of 32.5% high purity urea and 67.5% deionized water. The 32.5% urea concentration is the ideal solution as it provides the lowest freeze point. Also, SCR systems will be calibrated to the 32.5%, so that optimum NOx will be reduced during operation.

Urea is a compound of nitrogen that turns to ammonia when heated.



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Old 10-09-2011, 07:40 AM   #15
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thanks for info
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Old 10-09-2011, 08:24 AM   #16
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If you have a Cummins you have plenty truck and motor. Try playing with your tire pressure and make sure you have the camper loaded proportionally with water and gear. I have a light trailer but my truck pulls it very well even in tandem. My truck sits level when hooked up (the suspension is stock).
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Old 10-09-2011, 11:42 AM   #17
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I have a 2500. I have the weight slip from my previous fifth wheel. Steer axle 3660, Drive Axle 4540, trailer axle 7560, gross weight 15760. comparing these to my previous post new Fw shows a difference on Steer axle -20lbs, drive axle +520 lbs, trailer axle +160, gross weight +680. I do know that pin weight on old FW was 1800 lbs. Not sure on new FW, havent gotten a chance to weight it yet.

Would adding water to the fresh water tank, bring the pin weigh down, as the tank is in the rear.


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Old 10-09-2011, 12:37 PM   #18
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It might.
My tank is in the front. If I leave it full and load up supplies under the bed it will change the handling a little bit.
Measure the distance between your tire/fender and see if it changes when full.


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Old 10-09-2011, 12:51 PM   #19
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Iam going to try a few different things, leaving Chattanooga in morning and heading to Ohio, will be able to try a few things there.

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Old 10-09-2011, 01:14 PM   #20
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shoe2728f ifyou would,where did you finally decide to get the cruiser,and where are you camping in chattnooga as i should be there tomorrow nite and would you reccommend that campground ,,thanks

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