I am not a car guy at all so bear with me, learning as I go.
I am in the process of upgrading the tow management capabilities of my pickup, better suspension, focus on lower gears for hills, cooling of transmission/differentials, etc. 2008 Avalanche, 5.3L 4x4 with the factory LTZ premium air autoride suspension package. In a week, after I bring the travel trailer home this weekend, I will be taking the vehicle to upgrade the axle ratio from 3.73 to 4.10, along with expanded cooling for transmission and expanded differential pans. Pickup currently has the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 brake controller and Hensley ProPride 3p anti-sway weight distribution hitch. I upgraded the pickup's hitch receiver to the Curt 14080 Class IV, rated for 1200lb gross tongue weight with weight distribution hitch.
More of my pickup's factory vehicle specifications found at :
www.autoblog.com
I will be towing a 26 foot travel trailer with a GVWR of 6800, UWR of 5200. I am hoping for a traveling loaded weight of 6200 at scales when loaded with RV stuff in trailer, plus 50% propane, and water tanks empty. I will always travel with the water tanks empty. Payload capacity of pickup is 1,397 lbs and I am assuming 15% of the trailer's GVWR will be hitch weight (~1020 lbs). So, I will have enough room for 1 adult passenger (driver not included) and 1 child passenger with maybe some cargo in the pickup IF/when my trailer's weight is actually at gross of 6800. I am hoping to never allow the trailer's weight to be above 6500 and I will weight at CAT scales to know for sure once I have the trailer this weekend.
While it's at the shop, I'm hoping to also upgrade the rear suspension, but I do not know for sure what to do on the rear suspension so to best manage the weight, to prevent potential sagging.
I'm wondering what my options are for suspension. 1) stick with factory LTZ air suspension?; 2) upgrade to heavy duty air suspension of some sort?; 3) upgrade to coils and heavy duty shocks and airbags?.
A local shop near me told me they have seen the best luck with the Timbren active off-road bumpstops for rear suspension rated at 6,000 lbs. They said it works in tandem with the avalanche's auto air ride suspension.
What do ya'll think be the best rear suspension package for me?
Thank you for your time and looking forward to read the responses.
I am in the process of upgrading the tow management capabilities of my pickup, better suspension, focus on lower gears for hills, cooling of transmission/differentials, etc. 2008 Avalanche, 5.3L 4x4 with the factory LTZ premium air autoride suspension package. In a week, after I bring the travel trailer home this weekend, I will be taking the vehicle to upgrade the axle ratio from 3.73 to 4.10, along with expanded cooling for transmission and expanded differential pans. Pickup currently has the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 brake controller and Hensley ProPride 3p anti-sway weight distribution hitch. I upgraded the pickup's hitch receiver to the Curt 14080 Class IV, rated for 1200lb gross tongue weight with weight distribution hitch.
More of my pickup's factory vehicle specifications found at :
2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 LTZ 4x4 Specs and Prices - Autoblog
2008 Avalanche 1500 LTZ 4x4 specs (horsepower, torque, engine size, wheelbase), MPG and pricing.
www.autoblog.com
I will be towing a 26 foot travel trailer with a GVWR of 6800, UWR of 5200. I am hoping for a traveling loaded weight of 6200 at scales when loaded with RV stuff in trailer, plus 50% propane, and water tanks empty. I will always travel with the water tanks empty. Payload capacity of pickup is 1,397 lbs and I am assuming 15% of the trailer's GVWR will be hitch weight (~1020 lbs). So, I will have enough room for 1 adult passenger (driver not included) and 1 child passenger with maybe some cargo in the pickup IF/when my trailer's weight is actually at gross of 6800. I am hoping to never allow the trailer's weight to be above 6500 and I will weight at CAT scales to know for sure once I have the trailer this weekend.
While it's at the shop, I'm hoping to also upgrade the rear suspension, but I do not know for sure what to do on the rear suspension so to best manage the weight, to prevent potential sagging.
I'm wondering what my options are for suspension. 1) stick with factory LTZ air suspension?; 2) upgrade to heavy duty air suspension of some sort?; 3) upgrade to coils and heavy duty shocks and airbags?.
A local shop near me told me they have seen the best luck with the Timbren active off-road bumpstops for rear suspension rated at 6,000 lbs. They said it works in tandem with the avalanche's auto air ride suspension.
What do ya'll think be the best rear suspension package for me?
Thank you for your time and looking forward to read the responses.