Sagging rear suspension while towing

[Randy Schmidt]

For those of you who tow, any solutions for a saggy rear end?

 

[stamp11127]

What is the tongue weight and the gross weight of the boat & trailer?

 

[Randy Schmidt]

Boat and trailer weigh approx 5200 lbs.
Tongue weight is approx 450 lbs.

 

[osteodoc08]

Do you not have the load leveling shocks that rebound to normal ride height after a short period?

If not, consider a WD hitch.

My expy max doesn’t sag with a 6k# boat and 500-600# tongue weight

 

[Randy Schmidt]

My Expy Max does not have load leveling shocks... Not exactly sure what you are talking about. I have every option on my Platinum... but not that...

 

[Randy Schmidt]

Do you not have the load leveling shocks that rebound to normal ride height after a short period?

If not, consider a WD hitch.

My expy max doesn’t sag with a 6k# boat and 500-600# tongue weight

you have a pic with your boat and trailer attached?

 

[aggiegrad05]

My Expy Max does not have load leveling shocks... Not exactly sure what you are talking about. I have every option on my Platinum... but not that...

Don’t worry you didn’t miss a box to tic...they got rid of the load leveling suspension in the 2018s as it’s supposedly included as part of the CCD. There are several folks on here that will disagree with that tho.....

 

[Copper93]

Second on the weight distribution hitch. We tow a horse trailer with front dressing room. The trailer is 3800 empty. Adding all the gear and two horses we're pushing about 7000 pounds. We use a weight distribution hitch and have no sag. Takes a couple of tries and measuring to make sure it correct but wouldn't tow anything without one now.

 

[rumline]

Weight distribution hitches are required for gross trailer weights above 6100 lbs for the short wheelbase Expy and 6300 lbs for the Max, or tongue weights in excess of 10% of those figures. See the 2018 Towing Guide page 37. https://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/

A weight distribution hitch will help with many trailer-handling issues but it's not going to level you out 100% like nivomats or air bags will. Slight threadjack: does anybody know if helper airbags can be installed in rear shocks of a CCD system?

PS: I hate saggy rear ends.

 

[CaptOchs]

How level is the trailer while hooked up? If the front is a little high, you might just need more of a drop in the receiver to put more weight on the front tires. Tongue weight is about right (~10%) but you could lower it. There are a couple ways to you can do that if your trailer allows.

1. Move the axles forward. Some boat trailers have predrilled holes on the frame to allow you to move the axles forward to adjust tongue weight. You would need the boat off the trailer (of course.)
2. Move the bow stop back so the boat is further back on the trailer.

I had a heavy tongue weight on my 2500# boat. I moved up the bow stop back and it helped. Ultimately, I ended up moving the axle forward one set of holes to improve the ride and end squat on my Charger.

I think your only other option is some kind of weight distribution (if that's even possible) for your trailer. There's always rear suspension upgrades and of course stiffening up the tires. I improved my 2003 Expedition / 2018 Keystone SpringDale (7000#) rig by going from 32 lbs to 40 lbs in the rear tires.

 

[cekkk]

Towing 5k or more requires a WD hitch. It's about more than simply level. And that tongue weight sounds low. Smart move would be to visit a CAT scale. There are many sites that will explain how you want to weigh your rig. It takes a repeat or two. Make sure that you don't hold up a working trucker.

Oh. And it's difficult to find someone who knows how to correctly install a weight distribution hitch for your particular set up. It's best to do it yourself, just requires a bit of time and care.

 

[Randy Schmidt]

Towing 5k or more requires a WD hitch. It's about more than simply level. And that tongue weight sounds low. Smart move would be to visit a CAT scale. There are many sites that will explain how you want to weigh your rig. It takes a repeat or two. Make sure that you don't hold up a working trucker.

Oh. And it's difficult to find someone who knows how to correctly install a weight distribution hitch for your particular set up. It's best to do it yourself, just requires a bit of time and care.

Thank you very much for your advice. All of my previous tow vehicles had rear load leveling suspension, so this wasn't a concern.

 

[Randy Schmidt]

How level is the trailer while hooked up? If the front is a little high, you might just need more of a drop in the receiver to put more weight on the front tires. Tongue weight is about right (~10%) but you could lower it. There are a couple ways to you can do that if your trailer allows.

1. Move the axles forward. Some boat trailers have predrilled holes on the frame to allow you to move the axles forward to adjust tongue weight. You would need the boat off the trailer (of course.)
2. Move the bow stop back so the boat is further back on the trailer.

I had a heavy tongue weight on my 2500# boat. I moved up the bow stop back and it helped. Ultimately, I ended up moving the axle forward one set of holes to improve the ride and end squat on my Charger.

I think your only other option is some kind of weight distribution (if that's even possible) for your trailer. There's always rear suspension upgrades and of course stiffening up the tires. I improved my 2003 Expedition / 2018 Keystone SpringDale (7000#) rig by going from 32 lbs to 40 lbs in the rear tires.

Trailer is "perfectly level" when hooked up to the Expedition. I'll have to check on moving the axles. The bow stop is welded into place.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. All will be applied in trying to rectify my issue.

 

[Jon Pritchard]

Can you use a WD hitch on a boat trailer? I guess maybe if they are electric over hydraulic brakes, but if they are full hydraulic, then you shouldn't. At least that is what I have read on the Mastercraft Forum.

 

[duneslider]

I haven't seen many options for the suspension upgrades on the 2018-2019, other than the sumospring inserts. Some people seem to say they work good but I have no personal experience with them.

There are some weight distributing systems that will work with boat trailers and surge brakes. Reese makes a pole tongue adapter and a steady flex WD hitch that should work with boat trailers, still allows the brakes to work. Chain type WD hitches generally won't work. You will probably need to check with the trailer manufacturer to make sure they are okay with a WDH though. Its hard to tell from your picture but your trailer may not need the pole tongue adapter as it looks like a standard A frame from C-channel. I think it would be easy to add the WDH if the trailer manufacturer is good with it.