When weight distribution may not be necessary: A weight-distribution hitch may not be necessary if your tow vehicle and receiver are rated for the loaded trailer and tongue weight without it, and the manufacturers do not require it. Rear air suspension can reduce squat, but a level truck alone does not confirm those requirements are met.
What happens if you hook up your trailer to your pickup truck or tow vehicle, and the rear of the pickup truck squats?
Trailer tongue weight can unload the tow vehicle’s front axle and affect steering and braking. Check actual loaded weights and the vehicle, receiver hitch and trailer manufacturers’ requirements before choosing a solution. Squat alone does not establish whether the vehicle is overloaded or whether a weight-distribution hitch is required.
How To Fix It If My Truck Squats with Trailer
First verify loaded trailer weight, tongue weight, payload, GVWR, GCWR, axle and tire ratings, and the receiver’s applicable weight-carrying or weight-distributing limits. Towing capacity is limited by the lowest-rated component. Correct overloads or incompatible equipment before towing. Set ball height to level the trailer using the applicable hitch instructions; raising the ball is not a remedy for excessive tongue weight or a substitute for required weight distribution.
Options To Fix
- Air Springs for Load Support: Compatible rear air spring kits can help level the load and adjust ride comfort within the vehicle’s existing ratings. Air springs do not increase towing capacity, payload, GVWR, GCWR or GAWR. They do not replace a weight-distribution hitch required by the vehicle or hitch manufacturer. When using both systems, follow both manufacturers’ setup instructions.
- Helper Springs: Properly selected helper springs can reduce sag and support the existing suspension within the vehicle’s original ratings. They do not increase rated towing or payload capacity and do not replace required weight distribution. Ride firmness and adjustability vary by kit.
- Install Load Leveling Shocks: Aftermarket air and hydraulic shocks are available. Fairly easy to install. Some options have air bladders and coils integrated. Adjustment can be tricky and time consuming. They do help with ride and load control, but are not the best at leveling the load as much as absorbing it. Shocks control how fast weight is transferred. They are often very expensive and not commonly used for load-leveling.
- Weight Distribution When Required: A properly sized and adjusted weight-distribution hitch redistributes part of the tongue load to the tow vehicle’s front axle and trailer axles. Use it when the manufacturer requires it and only where the vehicle, receiver and trailer permit it. Follow the specified setup and front-axle restoration procedure. A level truck or a small amount of squat is not permission to remove required WD. A compatible Shocker Air Equalizer adds air cushioning to an approved WD setup; it does not increase vehicle ratings.
My Truck Squats with Trailer Video
Video clarification: The written guidance above controls where older video wording differs. Air springs and helper springs do not increase vehicle ratings or eliminate manufacturer-required weight distribution.