2007 Expy-el LTD towing camper questions

[pennyanguy]

Hi all, 2nd month with the EXPY and still love that "new to me" car smell... Camper is coming out of storage in a week or so, so I figured its time to wire up the Brake controller...my 07 limited came with the HD tow package, so I ordered the Tekonsha plug-n-play harness for my prodigy...should be an easy install...should have it in a week or so.

Big Q in my mind is do I tow with or without the load leveling compressor on? My EXPY has the load leveling rear suspension...(I don't really like it...the compressor noise bothers me on start up so I recently shut it off...don't see much of a difference without it)... but when I am towing the camper should I have it on?

camper is not huge 23' hybred 4000# unloaded 4900# GVW.. I have the standard load leveling hitch and anti sway setup (no great shakes but it works)... we don't plan on long trips but I would like to extend out 2-3 hours from home.

Whats the consensus... load leveler on or off?

 

[Bedrck47]

I would try it both ways and find out which you feel is better Main thing is the you have both the TV and TT level and that can be accomplished by using a Weight distribution hitch

Just my opinion

You may also get better answers from any of the RV forums

 

[gixer2000]

Is it the oem compressor because my 07 has load leveling also and the compressor is quiet. The only time I hear it is if I'm by the front passenger side outside the vehicle

I also have a tekonsha and love it with my car trailer

 

[pennyanguy]

gixer,

My compressor is quiet...It is just the fact that I can hear it...barely...and feel the slight vibration... makes me think something is wrong for a sec... probably just me...I drive without the radio as well...like to "hear" whats going on

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

On my 05 the air compressor for the air suspension was up front on the passenger side. I would hear a low frequency hum when it was running and I'd feel it a little through the steering wheel.

 

[drokmofo]

I tow an 18' power boat and a small pop up travel trailer. I always go with the load leveling on. It helps control sway and keeps the rear end stiff. I barely feel the boat behind it and dont feel the little pop up except on bumps. In my humble opinion I would leave the air ride on all the time.

 

[Ryan Capson]

Leave it on, though it may be cycling on and off more often if not using an equalizer hitch for heavier trailers.
Also, when connecting the plug and play brake controller and you are having a problem with it not working correctly, it may be because the ground wire to the harness under the dash is not grounded or not grounded very well. Just splice the ground wire before the harness and bolt to frame/firewall/somewhere. It took me a while to figure out what that problem was, even with a volt meter because the ground wire would "beep" between harness and frame, but was high ohms. After correcting that, I looked at forums and read it was common in 07's.
Now I pull a 32' camper with dual axle electric brakes with no problem. The equalizer hitch drops the rear about 1 inch and the front about a 1/2 inch. 150,000 miles and still purrs. It does remarably well pulling that, even through the rough and steep offroad of the Idaho mountains! I love my Expy!