Explorer Suspension

SimonWright · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:27 pm

Observe the picture below...

1998 Ford Explorer v8 5.8l, 150K miles. When the trailer is carrying the car the tilt is slightly more pronounced and even with no trailer the rear seems lower than the front. It tows just fine as long as I get the car on the sweet spot on the trailer. Is the sagging solved by:

a) Add-a-leafs
b) Shackles
c) New OEM suspension
d) Some combination of the above
e) None of the above, you're an idiot to use an Explorer
f) Simple! Do this...

Your individual and collective expertise is appreciated. I'd like to fix this before I have to tow up to Black River Stages in three weeks.

BTW, I have a very good reason for using this Explorer as a tow vehicle.

Simon

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Have you considered something like this?

http://www.councilhitch.com/loadLv_swayCtrl.html

Lots of people I know who tow horse trailers with SUV's need to use them - makes towing much safer.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:38 pm

I was going to chose "F" because it's an Exploder, but then that wouldn't be very productive.

I'd give Kendt's suggestion a try.

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

More info - I was having a brain fart on what the best name for it was - google "weight distributing hitch" -

http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/c-156-weight-dist-hitch.aspx?gclid=CILOgdeWuo4CFQVmgQodLX7t8A

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:51 pm

How about adding airbags to the back? You can get a kit that you can manually pump up and deflate as needed. Add-a-leaf would be my next choice, I guess, but I really like airbags better. If you want to get tricky you can even add self leveling controls to them. Had it on my Excursion and liked it much better than fighting with those damned weight distribution hitches. I know folks like them, but they just don't do it for me.

--Donnie

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:02 pm

Simon, I think this is what we put on the club bus - can be had locally:

http://www.agrisupplyco.com/cgi-bin/cgi ... sP&p=33952

They make hooking and unhooking a bit more complex, but keep things on the level AND gives you ball height adjustment to boot, without affecting non-trailering performance at all.

You might also consider a set of air springs - keeps the ride smooth when you're not towing but let's you firm up the rear when you do tow. So long as you don't worry about an onboard compressor, these systems are relatively inexpensive.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:22 pm

I used AirLift http://www.airliftcompany.com/al1000.html on my 88 Mustang when it was the tow vehicle for my Formula Car. I think I did separate air lines. Did a great job of leveling the car when towing.

SimonWright · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:30 pm

Thanks for the feedback guys. I still suspect there's something wrong with the Explorer itself. I'll be able to tell better when I unhitch the trailer tomorrow. I'll take another picture and post it then.

Simon

BretLuter · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:32 pm

The weight distribution hitch is the way to go. It is amazing the difference it makes on something like this. Well worth the $$$.

If you have time, keep an eye out on Craigslist- they pop up there every once in a while, but the Agri-supply version looks good for a fair price.

Bret.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

I doubt there is anything wrong with the Explorer. That unladen trailer with a full tongue box is probably putting 400 lb on the hitch. With the short wheelbase and soft springs, that's a lot of weight. If you and Kieran stood on the rear bumper and it would make the same effect.

Now we all know it looks "bad" but why is it bad? Answer = it takes weight off of the front tires. The front tires are what makes the truck turn and brake, right? With a short wheelbase, towing a big trailer with a lot of tongue weight probably seriously reduces your emergency maneuverability.

Air springs that were mentioned above does nearly nothing to improve the weight reduction off of the front axle. The only answer like others have mentioned is weight distribution. A WD hitch will actually move weight from the rear axle to the front axle.

I have a less-severe but similar problem with the Durango, and I have been planning to get a WD hitch just for peace of mind (more front grip).

SimonWright · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:11 am

OK - looks like a weight distribution hitch is the way to go. I'll keep an eye on CL but I need to get this done in the next couple of weeks.

Any suggestions for a source?
Can someone help me install it?
Is it something I can do myself?
Am I removing my current hitch or does it work with it?

Simon

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

SimonWright wrote:

Any suggestions for a source?

See Dustin's post
http://www.agrisupplyco.com/cgi-bin/cgi ... sP&p=33952

SimonWright wrote:

Can someone help me install it?

I'd be glad to help. I did the one on the bus.

SimonWright wrote:

Is it something I can do myself?

Yes, it's pretty easy. Just need to assemble the new ballmount, bolt the WD bar pivots onto the trailer, and tinker with the height and bar tension a little.

SimonWright wrote:

Am I removing my current hitch or does it work with it?

It just replaces the current ballmount. Hitch on the Exploder remains the same.

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

So I know this is obvious and all but... why not take that toolbox off the front of that trailer. Use the back of your truck. move the toolbox to the side of the trailer or at least off the tongue. At least try it and see how it affect your tongue weight.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2007 1:57 pm

I agree with Mike in principle, but for that kind of trailer (including the toolbox on the tongue), there's no reason why you should need to exceed 400 pounds of tongue weight. And 400 pounds of tongue weight shouldn't be lightening the front of the Explorer enough to be an issue, IMHO.

It would be cool if the club would buy a Sherline tongue weight scale and keep it in the bus so people can use that at events to get their trailer weight right. I have one and they work very well. Seems like we talked about this at one point.

And if 400 pounds or less still seems to sag your truck too much, I'd still personally go with extra spring in the back via air springs. Far less aggravating and far less dangerous. You're putting some serious load into those weight distribution bars when you attach them. I really think those are only required in situations where you have no choice but to over-do your tongue weight.

And even if you decide to go with that solution, I *still* say you should be checking your tongue weight with an actual scale. I may be at a TH event in the next couple months and will try to remember to bring mine for folks to borrow who want to see (if the club doesn't get one).

--Donnie

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Donnie Barnes wrote:

I agree with Mike in principle, but for that kind of trailer (including the toolbox on the tongue), there's no reason why you should need to exceed 400 pounds of tongue weight. And 400 pounds of tongue weight shouldn't be lightening the front of the Explorer enough to be an issue, IMHO.

It would be cool if the club would buy a Sherline tongue weight scale and keep it in the bus so people can use that at events to get their trailer weight right. I have one and they work very well. Seems like we talked about this at one point.

And if 400 pounds or less still seems to sag your truck too much, I'd still personally go with extra spring in the back via air springs. Far less aggravating and far less dangerous. You're putting some serious load into those weight distribution bars when you attach them. I really think those are only required in situations where you have no choice but to over-do your tongue weight.

And even if you decide to go with that solution, I *still* say you should be checking your tongue weight with an actual scale. I may be at a TH event in the next couple months and will try to remember to bring mine for folks to borrow who want to see (if the club doesn't get one).

--Donnie

There is a tongue weight scale in the club trailer - it's in the box with the display. A bunch of us chipped in for the purchase, I don't mind if anyone uses it.

Re tongue weight -- 2000 lb trailer + 3000 lb car = 5000 lb * 10-15% tongue weight rule-of-thumb = 500-750lb tongue weight. So I say 500lb is a good target for towing stability.

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