Help with towing weight/capability
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Yes, it performs the same function as the equalizing hitch. Lift the rear places more wt up front. Got this from the days I used to drive a Porsche Cayenne with air suspension. Porsche was very insistent that the air suspension not have any anti sway or equalizing devices attached when towing. It works really well.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
Not really. An equalizing hitch can lift the rear tires off the ground, distributing all the weight to the front wheels and the trailer wheels.
All the bags do is raise the rear of the vehicle. The weight distribution changes very little.
It looks better than nothing, though.
All the bags do is raise the rear of the vehicle. The weight distribution changes very little.
It looks better than nothing, though.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Not really. An equalizing hitch can lift the rear tires off the ground, distributing all the weight to the front wheels and the trailer wheels.
All the bags do is raise the rear of the vehicle. The weight distribution changes very little.
It looks better than nothing, though.
All the bags do is raise the rear of the vehicle. The weight distribution changes very little.
It looks better than nothing, though.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
While it's true an equalizing hitch can be misadjusted to lift the rear tires off the ground, the goal of properly adjusting the hitch is to negate the effect of adding wt to the rear axle and keeping the proper amount of wt on the front axle. Air lifting the rear to negate the added rear wt keeps the vehicle in balance. It just places the wt fulcrum further forward (at the rear axle), which prevents the rear wheels from being lifted completely off the ground, while maintaining the proper wt balance.
I just don't have a handle on how effective air bags are in stabilizing a squatted tow vehicle.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 0
From: WI
Air bags will not change the weight distribution signficantly enough to make a difference in front axle loading. It will raise the rear but there is not an appreciable fulcurm to redistribute the weight as the mass CG locations are fixed and the load points are fixed.
A weight distribution hitch uses cantaliver beams in bending to transfer force at the hitch ball to pivot and remove weight from the rear of the vehicle and redistribute it to the front axle. Basically a torque from the hitch point from the pickup points on the trailer frame transferred thru the jeep frame. This helps stopping and steering.
A weight distribution hitch uses cantaliver beams in bending to transfer force at the hitch ball to pivot and remove weight from the rear of the vehicle and redistribute it to the front axle. Basically a torque from the hitch point from the pickup points on the trailer frame transferred thru the jeep frame. This helps stopping and steering.
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: alvin, tx
Just my opinion..... The rating is low due to stopping ability. We all know that in 4 low, our jeeps would pull a house... But once the weight is moving, could you control the speed down hill through the Rocky's? Just like my daily work truck (A 2012 Dodge 3500 Flatbed Cummins) can handle a hell of a lot more weight than the I can safely stop.. The weight rating is a "safe" number to compensate for idiots who do not follow directions and try to overload their vehicles abilities. My suggestion is that you use reason.. Stay as close to that number as you can when you get what you want. And for the record, I pull a 4700 lb RV on a regular basis with trailer brakes behind my 2012 JKU and have had zero issues, but I also don't live in the Rocky's or drive in stop and go traffic in L.A either.
Thanks
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
Air bags will not change the weight distribution signficantly enough to make a difference in front axle loading. It will raise the rear but there is not an appreciable fulcurm to redistribute the weight as the mass CG locations are fixed and the load points are fixed.
A weight distribution hitch uses cantaliver beams in bending to transfer force at the hitch ball to pivot and remove weight from the rear of the vehicle and redistribute it to the front axle. Basically a torque from the hitch point from the pickup points on the trailer frame transferred thru the jeep frame. This helps stopping and steering.
A weight distribution hitch uses cantaliver beams in bending to transfer force at the hitch ball to pivot and remove weight from the rear of the vehicle and redistribute it to the front axle. Basically a torque from the hitch point from the pickup points on the trailer frame transferred thru the jeep frame. This helps stopping and steering.