Thread:

Air bags? Stiffer shocks? Something else?

Hey guys- I tow my 27' cobra on a triple axle trailer with a 2007 GMC sierra Denali. Boat/trailer/full tank works out to ~7k lb which the truck tows just fine (6.2L vortec 420 lb/ft torque), my only concern is the tongue weight seems like a little too much for the truck even with the triple axle trailer. The truck and trailer sit level when hitched but the rear springs feel real loose. Like for example if i hit a dip on the feewaw, the trailer will bottom out and scapr the tongue jack when it is all the way up. My brother-in-law suggested air bags in the rear, but i don't want to lose the ride quality of the Denali. Any suggestions? (My myspace has pics of the the truck and trailer)

I don't know if they will fit the Denali's, I would try and get a set of Air Lifts, they're awsome and really dont effect the ride when deflated (you need to keep like 5 pounds in them when not needed), I had a Z71 extended cab 1/2 ton (1500) and used to pull a Spectra 20 with a Lance cabover camper with a set of 5000# Air lifts set at 80# (get the compressor kit) and never had issues, truck rode the same without loads.

GT

How much does a kit like that cost?

Been a while, but I think I paid under $500 for the whole banana.

GT

Check this out. Good for 1000# leveling, might be enough????

http://www.airliftcompany.com/online_catalog.html

GT

they have nothing for sierra denali...argh...

Originally Posted by millhouse961

they have nothing for sierra denali...argh...

I thought the one I linked was for a Denali, What year and model?

GT

2007 GMC Sierra Denali (1500) 2wd

Don't Denali's come standard with AutoRide? That has air already in the back (self-leveling). My wife's Yukon has AutoRide and it works just great. Also, with AR, the tow/haul mode puts more dampening in the rear shocks.

Don't you hear a compressor come on when you hook the boat up?

Heres another option

http://www.timbren.com/

Maybe a weight distributing hitch would help as well? If all the weights on the rear of the frame, behind the rear axle, it levers on it harder I'd think.

Originally Posted by Beer:30

Don't Denali's come standard with AutoRide? That has air already in the back (self-leveling). My wife's Yukon has AutoRide and it works just great. Also, with AR, the tow/haul mode puts more dampening in the rear shocks.

Don't you hear a compressor come on when you hook the boat up?

The Yukon Denali might have that, but the sierra does not. Tow haul mode just changes the shift points and increases alternator output

Originally Posted by millhouse961

The Yukon Denali might have that, but the sierra does not. Tow haul mode just changes the shift points and increases alternator output

Ok, that makes sense. Especially after I noticed you had said "Sierra". I was thinking SUV.

I put an auto-leveling airbag kit in this dually. My last one had the up/down button and gauge. If you go with bags, do the auto-level compressor kit. You won't regret it.

Rear goes down, compressor comes on and brings it back to whatever you have set as "ride-height". Same when the load is taken off. Bags purge and go back down to ride-height. This works especially well for boating. When the boat comes off of the trailer, the truck levels back out. Boat back on - truck comes back up. Fully automatic and fool proof. I went this route so that anyone can drive the combo and not have to know how much air to run and whatnot.

Airbags a definite yes to carry tounge weight. I have an 03Navigator that has coils with air ride. My boat/trailer weighs at 8300 with around 750 lbs tongue weight .Runs level and firm.I only use the WD hitch on long trips for highway speeds even though it rides fine without.