What Will Stop a 2008 Dodge Dakota from Sagging when Towing a Travel Trailer

Updated 01/21/2014 | Published 01/20/2014

Question:

looking to enhance the towing capabilities of my 2008 dodge Dakota 4x4 crew cab 4.7l V8. I am looking to tow a 33ft bumper pull travel trailer with a weight of 5900lbs, my vehicle is rated for 7050lbs but I want to reduce sag as much as possible. what would you recommend?

asked by: Jesse P

Expert Reply:

If you are getting sag because of a bumper pull trailer then the best solution is weight distribution, not suspension enhancement. Suspension enhancement is great for heavy loads in the truck bed but weight distribution was made specifically to solve the problem you are having.

To choose a system you will need to go by the total tongue weight which is calculated by taking the tongue weight of the trailer when loaded and ready to tow and adding to that the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. Typically, tongue weight is 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. For a trailer weighing 5,900 pounds that would be a 590 to 885 pound range.

I recommend a system rated for up to 1,000 pounds, # PS49583. This system also includes sway control to help prevent trailer sway. The spring bars push up on the tow vehicle and trailer to more evenly distribute the tongue weight to all axles of the tow vehicle and trailer.

expert reply by: Michael H