Adding Leaf Springs?

[tjwoods1]

I have a 19’ Flying Cloud - 2018. I tow it with a 2018 Nissan Frontier 4x4 SV crew cab. I am happy with this configuration, just got back towing into Oregon’s High Desert over the Cascades carrying two Kayaks and two mountain bikes inside the trailer - for 10 days camping. Everything worked well - and I chose the Nissan primarily for reliability and cost. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of its competitors like the Tacoma or Colorado, but it is less expensive and gets the job done.

With that said - I do notice that when hitching up the trailer, the truck’s rear really sags until I use the Equal-I-Zer WD/Sway setup to put things right and level. While camping I noticed someone had a Tacoma with extra leaf springs and suspension that they added. He said adding a few extra leaf springs (and suspension) helped keep his truck rear from sagging. I know that leaf springs / suspensions/ Airbags are no substitute for a WD / Sway system and I have no intention of discarding my Equal-I-Zer , but I was wondering if adding a few leaf springs to my Truck will help alleviate the sag when hitching up. If so, is there a downside to doing this - perhaps making a rougher ride or something?

Just wondering.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Indeed adding more springs will make for a rougher ride.

In addition, other work may need to be done (like to the frame) to keep things from messing up. I would suggest talking to a shop that specializes in this kind of thing. There are way to many variables involved to just wing it.

Bob

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by tjwoods1

snip....

With that said - I do notice that when hitching up the trailer, the truck’s rear really sags until I use the Equal-I-Zer WD/Sway setup to put things right and level.

Just wondering.

The WD is doing exactly what it is designed to do...go camping.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[uraljohn]

I second Robert Cross reply.

It might be a good idea to go to a CAT Scale and do a 3 or 4 pass weigh in just to prove to yourself that nothing is overloaded.

Many years ago either Equalizer or Airstream ran a commercial showing an Airstream trailer attached to a 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado. That is a front wheel drive car. The rear wheels were removed to illustrate the strength and the ability to support the car and trailer with the Equalizer hitch. They actually toured the country taking this combo to RV dealers of the day and did demonstrations. It drove around just fine with no rear wheels on the car.

Go get weighed and go camping. Happy travels.