Truck Leveling Kit?

[Bama Hammer]

Just bought a used silverado 1500 4x4 crew cab and the previous owner had it leveled.. Does anyone have any experience towing with a truck that had a leveling kit installed in the front end? Basically the truck sits level without a load in the back and I am concerned that adding about 500 lbs of tongue weight will cause too much load on the rear end...

[sourdough]

I have no experience towing with a leveling kit but I do have lots of experience towing with a non leveled truck - several kinds. They all squat to some degree with a heavy weight placed on the bumper. A leveling kit is going to make your front end high which poses a number of problems. I would have it removed.

[travelin texans]

If you want to keep the leveling kit add air bags to the rear & inflate til tv & rv are level, no more squatting & probably better ride when loaded, some adjustments to your hitch heighth will most likely need to be made.

[goducks]

As long as you bring the front of the truck back to what the MFG recommends then you should be fine. If you do use bags and a friction based WDH then the bags will counter the friction part of the WDH.
Best thing to do would be to air up the bags to get the rear up a couple inches or less. Then hitch up the TT and set the front up using the WDH.

[KHBama]

Had a Tundra that had a leveling kit, only towed with it a couple of times. Didn’t like the way it pulled, had about 700lbs of tongue weight and made it look like it had a major “sag” with the front leveled. Had constant problems with the truck shaking at 60-70mph and then my whole brake system went out coming down Mt. Cheaha(boy was that fun). Dealer I’ve dealt with for years made it right and traded me out of it for a Ram 2500.

[JRTJH]

Leveling kits, lift kits and lowering kits all change the center of balance, drive line angle and steering/braking characteristics of a vehicle. Often, there's not a noticeable change when running empty, but loading a vehicle to near the max capacity and/or towing a significantly heavy trailer with a kit installed will cause handling problems at the fringes of the design capacity and capability.

I'd be inclined to remove the kit, return the vehicle to its OEM configuration and use a properly adjusted WD hitch to maintain the "level status".....

While the front end lift may not make a lot of difference in most driving situations, it only takes one "OH &*%#" moment to ruin an otherwise perfect day.

[roadglide]

I was told 2 1/2 max suspension lift on a chevy because it stresses the wheel hub . I had 2 inch lift on my duramax because I put higher load index tires I have air bags. Chevys are made to ride low up front with a load it levels nice. Load up if it sets low add air bags. I did not need to adjust my head lights on my chevy.

[ike66]

If you want to keep the leveling kit add air bags to the rear & inflate til tv & rv are level, no more squatting & probably better ride when loaded, some adjustments to your hitch heighth will most likely need to be made.



This is exactly what I’ve done. The front lift is only a 2” spacer that raises the body to level it out with the rear of the truck. Drive line and suspension does not change. Now to counter the sag when towing the 5th wheel I added air bags and air up till level again. Has worked well for me.

[Vet4jdc]

You will be fine with it leveled. I did 2 1/2” leveling in front and saw no difference in towing. I ended up adding air bags to get back to level when towing and the handling improved.

[Jonas]

I have a 2" leveling kit on the front to counter the winch and grill guard.
I have airbags in the rear to keep it level when towing. This set-up works very well for me!

http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=905&pictureid=5039

[sbarlag]

Perhaps I'm missing something. Won't a weight distribution hitch allow the truck to stay mostly level? Blue Ox makes a nice product and has an integrated Sway Control,,,no friction bar required.

[Jonas]

I don't need (or want) a WD hitch in my particular case. Not sure about others here.

[JRTJH]

I don't need (or want) a WD hitch in my particular case. Not sure about others here.

I don't know if you've got "real world" weights on your trailer yet. If not, you might want to swing by a CAT scale next time you're heading out of town on a camping trip. Most F150 receivers are rated at 500/5000 pounds without a W/D hitch and 1100/10000 pounds with a W/D hitch.

Stats for your trailer, empty as shipped from Keystone give the tongue weight at 485 pounds. Add 40 lbs of propane and a battery and you're over the max receiver weight for a "non W/D hitch".... That's without any cargo in the trailer's front storage compartment, no camping equipment and no water/supplies in the trailer.

[sourdough]

I don't need (or want) a WD hitch in my particular case. Not sure about others here.


I would strongly urge you to weigh your trailer/truck combo. Without a WDH I'm pretty sure you will be over the receiver limits. What class is the receiver? If it's a III you probably want to rethink your decision:)

[ctbruce]

There is also a minimum weight where a WDH is required. 5000lbs comes to mind, but I'm quoting that from memory.

I'm just curious, not trying to pile on or doubt your decision. But why would you not want a WDH to tow with? I don't think I've heard that expressed on the forum before.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[sbarlag]

I agree with ctbruce. A WDH will assist with front tire grab and front tire wear. It's a huge safety issue. I know many dealers will have you sign off saying you opted out of it, as a way to cover their ***. If you don't want to pay the higher dealer price there are many internet options.

[sbarlag]

Check out this link,,,https://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx

[TLB]

Perhaps I'm missing something. Won't a weight distribution hitch allow the truck to stay mostly level?


Yes.

I have a Suspension MAXX kit on my 2017 2500HD.

I had my WDH set by the dealer. Measurements were take of my truck before the trailer was attached and after. The tech then marked which link I needed to be attaching to the trailer. My truck rides level and smooth.

[sbarlag]

Ok, that explains alot. Thanks........

[sconner]

I had a 2000 Silverado 1500 4x4 crew cab. Although I didn't have a leveling kit on it, I torqued the torsion bars to level it. Had no handling issues towing my Passport 2920. Having said that, the safest bet is to have it factory height.

[Jonas]

I'm just curious, not trying to pile on or doubt your decision. But why would you not want a WDH to tow with? I don't think I've heard that expressed on the forum before.

My setup tows, handles and stops with no issues or complaints whatsoever.
However... I do a lot of "off-roading" and am actually considering converting to a pintle hitch in order to give me more trail maneuverability.