shocks/bags/springs for towing on a leveled Ranger

[rojizostang]

I just added a front leveling kit, and we're looking around at 18-20 ft travel trailers. We probably wont go over one with more than about 4500 lbs gross vehicle weight. I know many have said that leveling the ranger ('19 xlt sport 4x4) negatively effects towing capacity, so I'm thinking about installing heavier/load lifting rear shocks/springs or bags/ for when we tow, to keep from having the bumper running significantly lower in the back than the front when running down the road. Looking for recommendations, thanks.

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[Frenchy]

I just added a front leveling kit, and we're looking around at 18-20 ft travel trailers. We probably wont go over one with more than about 4500 lbs gross vehicle weight. I know many have said that leveling the ranger ('19 xlt sport 4x4) negatively effects towing capacity, so I'm thinking about installing heavier/load lifting rear shocks/springs or bags/ for when we tow, to keep from having the bumper running significantly lower in the back than the front when running down the road. Looking for recommendations, thanks.

I wouldn't go as far to say that a leveling kit or lift kit(good ones at least) would lower towing capacity. I myself have the Old Man EMU lift kit standard load and my towing capacity has stayed the same. Now to correct the height when loaded you have your options. One way to help is a weight distribution hitch. Another option is air bags. Air them up as needed when loaded and deflate them when unloaded. The other option if you dont want to lift the rear is the APG leaf springs. To my understanding the standard lifts the rear just a little and will level out with a trailer.

Hope this helps

 

[Big Blue]

I just added a front leveling kit, and we're looking around at 18-20 ft travel trailers. We probably wont go over one with more than about 4500 lbs gross vehicle weight. I know many have said that leveling the ranger ('19 xlt sport 4x4) negatively effects towing capacity, so I'm thinking about installing heavier/load lifting rear shocks/springs or bags/ for when we tow, to keep from having the bumper running significantly lower in the back than the front when running down the road. Looking for recommendations, thanks.

Couple thoughts here, when you leveled leveled the truck how did you do it?. Did you do it with spacers or new shocks or coil-overs. The latter is probably the better way. Couple that wirh matching rear shocks. Did to take all the rake out of the truck? If not a weight distribution hitch is all you probably need. I pull a 4000 lb trailer with stock suspension and a WDH and it really does not change the rake of the truck much as it drops the truck evenly front and back.

Agree with @Frency leveling should not effect towing capacity. The weight you looking at should be no problem for your Ranger. Just have the hitch set up properly with the trailer level.

 

[rojizostang]

Thanks for the replies.

I raised the front with spacers....a total of 2.5". It has the slightest amount of rake, but not much.

I've had my eye on the air lift company Ranger specific airbags that bolt directly in place of the axle bumpers. I've hesitated because there seems to be a debate among some that say for carrying a load...bags are better, but for towing, a weight distributing hitch is better. I was kind of hoping to kill two birds with one stone however. If a set of bags/load lifting shocks would accomplish what I want I would probably go that route as a WDH wouldn't be of any use of course when just hauling heavy stuff. Not that I'm against a WDH and will also do that if need.

I guess basically I should have asked if bags or weight adjusting shocks are appropriate for towing in place of a WDH. It's not like I don't already tow as we have a 19' fiberglass bow-rider that I tow all the time in the summer, but it isn't as heavy as a travel trailer would be.

 

[Frenchy]

Thanks for the replies.

I raised the front with spacers....a total of 2.5". It has the slightest amount of rake, but not much.

I've had my eye on the air lift company Ranger specific airbags that bolt directly in place of the axle bumpers. I've hesitated because there seems to be a debate among some that say for carrying a load...bags are better, but for towing, a weight distributing hitch is better. I was kind of hoping to kill two birds with one stone however. If a set of bags/load lifting shocks would accomplish what I want I would probably go that route as a WDH wouldn't be of any use of course when just hauling heavy stuff. Not that I'm against a WDH and will also do that if need.

I guess basically I should have asked if bags or weight adjusting shocks are appropriate for towing in place of a WDH.

I don't know of any load adjusting shocks available for the ranger(not inexpensive ones at least) so air bags may be up your ally on this. Also a suggestion to you is to replace the spacers with a nice set of shocks(Bilsteins or Eibachs) and get the APG leaf springs. I think you may get better results over the air bags and spacer combo.

 

[rojizostang]

Bilsteins might be ok, however I've had bad luck in the past with Eibachs. I had two of them fail on my 2013 F150 (these were lowering struts).

I won't be doing any serious off roading in this Ranger. I bought the 4wd mostly because the price was right and it would obviously be a bonus on a wet boat ramp. Bilsteins aren't really that expensive, but the spacers were dirt cheap and really good enough for what I'm doing. If air bags are sufficient for load leveling while towing, then that's probably what I will do.

 

[Frenchy]

Bilsteins might be ok, however I've had bad luck in the past with Eibachs. I had two of them fail on my 2013 F150 (these were lowering struts).

I won't be doing any serious off roading in this Ranger. I bought the 4wd mostly because the price was right and it would obviously be a bonus on a wet boat ramp. Bilsteins aren't really that expensive, but the spacers were dirt cheap and really good enough for what I'm doing. If air bags are sufficient for load leveling while towing, then that's probably what I will do.

Do what you feel is best for your needs is tue best i can say. The main reason I say to change the shocks os for ride comfort.

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

Air-Lift makes a kit

I was able to pair it with Daystar cradles for off-road use. I regularly take it off-road with 700 lbs in the bed and recently started towing a trailer. No issues. See other threads

Would recommend taking on a scale

 

[rojizostang]

Air-Lift makes a kit

I was able to pair it with Daystar cradles for off-road use. I regularly take it off-road with 700 lbs in the bed and recently started towing a trailer. No issues. See other threads

Would recommend taking on a scale

I saw an engineering video a couple of days ago where this guy had a truck on the scales and attached his trailer. With air bags, the axle weights didn't change at all regarding the ideal set up. With a WDH, they were able to adjust the axle weights to a more desired number for both the trailer, rear axle of the truck and also the front axle. I never would have believed that air bags wouldn't make any difference as far as weight distribution is concerned, but, they were of absolutely no value in returning at least some weight to the front of the truck for effective steering purposes. I would have thought that lifting the back of the truck a little with bags would remedy pretty much very thing....but it doesn't.

 

[treimche]

I have the Air Lift bags and compressor system installed on my lifted Ranger. Check out my build thread in my signature if you want.

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