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Airbags vs Weight Distribution Hitch

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by FirstGenTundra, May 5, 2017.

  1. May 5, 2017 at 11:59 AM
    #1
    FirstGenTundra

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    FirstGenTundra [OP] R2R

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    Found an excellent video on airbags vs weight distribution hitch. In short, a weight distribution hitch works far better than airbags. This video was immensely helpful when I was trying to figure out what I needed to tow a 9300lb trailer. With a WHD i only squat 2 inches, without it I squat over 3.5 inches.

    https://youtu.be/XBZu39pQ8Gg

    @Sean266, @Bob, @csuviper Stickie material maybe for Towing and Hauling?
     
    FirstGenTundra, May 5, 2017
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  2. May 5, 2017 at 12:04 PM
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    Bob

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    Bob Member Staff Member

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    Stickied!
     
    Bob, May 5, 2017
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  3. May 5, 2017 at 12:07 PM
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    FirstGenTundra

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    FirstGenTundra [OP] R2R

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    Thanks @Bob!
     
    FirstGenTundra, May 5, 2017
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  4. May 5, 2017 at 4:39 PM
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    SOB

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    SOB Big Member

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    Damn good video. Very informative. Could have used a tiny bit of excitement or passion though :p

    Thanks for sharing!
     
    SOB, May 5, 2017
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    FirstGenTundra[OP] likes this.
  5. May 5, 2017 at 4:42 PM
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    Tundraplatinum

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    Tundraplatinum New Member

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    great video. equalizer hitch system is the best wd hitch you can get
     
    Tundraplatinum, May 5, 2017
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    too tall and Y0TA PR0 like this.
  6. May 5, 2017 at 10:00 PM
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    the_midwesterner

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    the_midwesterner New Member

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    This is a great video! Really good information.
     
    the_midwesterner, May 5, 2017
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  7. May 6, 2017 at 12:54 PM
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    chphilo

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    chphilo Tundra addict

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    Good info.

    Don't most people who have bags use weight distribution hitches in addition to the bags when towing?
     
    chphilo, May 6, 2017
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  8. May 6, 2017 at 5:53 PM
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    FirstGenTundra

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    FirstGenTundra [OP] R2R

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    I assume nothing. Lol it would be nice to use both for major loads.
     
    FirstGenTundra, May 6, 2017
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  9. May 6, 2017 at 7:13 PM
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    veg hed

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    veg hed Thug

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    Great video...Thanks!
     
    veg hed, May 6, 2017
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  10. May 6, 2017 at 7:41 PM
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    pats_fan

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    pats_fan New Member

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    This is exactly what I plan on doing. I currently have an Equal-i-zer hitch, and plan on having my Firestone airbags installed in 2 weeks.

    3fafef1a91b38b2485b58a0dca502031_23a5bfcdc7cff4253395a152d74b98c7b50f52c9.jpgcbcc87735814846996b6473a4bbc1e82_4c694e2e7461d119394a5dcd3fa84bb3c8c3d12b.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2017
    pats_fan, May 6, 2017
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  11. May 6, 2017 at 10:07 PM
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    Y0TA PR0

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    Y0TA PR0 Oil & Gas

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    Great info thanks
     
    Y0TA PR0, May 6, 2017
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  12. May 7, 2017 at 8:54 AM
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    chphilo

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    chphilo Tundra addict

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    Nice camper. Your truck doesn't seem to squat bad enough to need air bags. Maybe it's just the angle of the picture, but your set-up looks good. Which Equal-i-zer hitch do you have?
     
    chphilo, May 7, 2017
    #12
  13. May 7, 2017 at 10:12 AM
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    jlee

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    jlee New Member Vendor

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    Oh one or two.
    The Equal-i-zer hitch and the firestone ride right bags are a nice combo. I have the air bags for the boat and hauling. On those heavy loads I also pump up the bags with the WD hitch on just to level everything out.
     
    jlee, May 7, 2017
    #13
  14. Aug 12, 2017 at 9:04 PM
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    ColoradoTJ

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    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Only bad thing about using both WDH and AirBags in my eyes:

    - The violent rebound effect when the suspension cycles. Unless you have a set of aftermarket shock you can do a custom valve job on the rebound cycle to slow it down.

    - The systems seem to work against one another. The only time I can see using both is with multiple loads, and some just with the trucks payload.

    I personally like using one or the other. Personal preference. When I go full gooseneck trailers, tag aux tank, and whatever else I can add to the damn pin weight, airbags might be considered again if I am to much into the overloads.
     
    ColoradoTJ, Aug 12, 2017
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  15. Oct 7, 2017 at 4:01 PM
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    too tall

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    too tall New Member

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    What you said. I just got back from towing my new trailer 300 miles using the equalizer and maaaaan it is awesome.
     
    too tall, Oct 7, 2017
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  16. Oct 7, 2017 at 5:20 PM
    #16
    too tall

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    too tall New Member

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    My bad. WD hitches are religion and we just don't talk about. I'll drop for 20.
     
    too tall, Oct 7, 2017
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  17. Oct 7, 2017 at 5:23 PM
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    Quartermeter

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    Quartermeter New Member

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    FOX 2.0 REARS, OME FRONTS FIRESTONE AIR BAGS RCI SKID PLATE
    Yes get both. It will save your leaf springs...
     
    Quartermeter, Oct 7, 2017
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  18. Oct 14, 2017 at 2:15 PM
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    Flobrandx

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    Flobrandx New Member

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    I use both for my almost 37' toy hauler and am very happy with it. The truck pulls and handles the 9000+ lbs no problem.
     
    Flobrandx, Oct 14, 2017
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  19. Nov 4, 2017 at 5:17 PM
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    Ksatter

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    Ksatter New Member

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    Another vote for the Equalizer wd/anti sway hitch. I pull a lighter load in my TT than others are. Haven't felt a need for the air bags yet. Good video to support how to set the Equalizer up correctly to start with. Thanks
     
    Ksatter, Nov 4, 2017
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  20. Jun 24, 2018 at 7:07 PM
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    galaxyflyer1

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    galaxyflyer1 New Member

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    One thing to keep in mind for you light weight single axel trailer owners. The weight (basically at the hitch) is what we are wanting to redistribute. With a "weight distribution system" this weight gets distributed to the very front of your vehicle and the very rear (which is your trailer axle). If you have a single axel trailer like myself where the AXEL (look for the tag) is only rated at 3500 pounds max, you certainly do not want to add more weight to that. Which can easily happen when you have a truck full of motorcycles, generators etc. and chose to use a WDS. In my case, I use airbags to level out my truck. Therefore Not adding anymore weight to a low rated single axel trailer.
     
    galaxyflyer1, Jun 24, 2018
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  21. Jun 25, 2018 at 10:32 AM
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    bobeast

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    bobeast really old member

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    The two are not mutually exclusive. For example, a WDH does you no good when hauling a load of bricks. Right tool for the job and all that...
     
    bobeast, Jun 25, 2018
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  22. Oct 10, 2021 at 1:14 PM
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    EatSleepTacos

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    EatSleepTacos New Member

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    This is a fantastic video, thanks for sharing and thanks to the mods for stickying it. It helped sway me into buying a WDH so I can tow as safely as possible.
     
    EatSleepTacos, Oct 10, 2021
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  23. May 3, 2022 at 5:52 PM
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    2014 Black tundra

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    2014 Black tundra New Member

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    I watched that video a couple of times before. Good information. I have a 29’ travel trailer. I have just a little squat. I need to fine tune the weight distribution hitch, but I’m close. I’ll tinker with it tomorrow before my camping trip. 97A4BEF5-7E46-4FFD-8154-64DBBADBB572.jpg
     
    2014 Black tundra, May 3, 2022
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