Ride-Rites for the truck?

When DW and I end up with a sack of questions we end up going to our dealer where we bought our trailer to talk to the folk in person. We were really there for some spares and see what new things have been added to their showroom. So as we are strolling up to the parts department we take note of this monster trailer. They had this humongous triple axle Escalade that we *just* had to take a tour of. I swear this monster was about 38 feet or so and I commented that I probably couldn't pull it with F-250 4X4. Well, the sales guy came right back and said that I could if I added the "Ride-Rites" to our truck. He said that they would increase the carrying capacity of truck bed and when I looked them up, they say they can accommodate 5,000 pounds a pair.

I'm seriously looking into them anyway, not that we're going to buy that Escalade but just to make sure we're not exceeding the limits of the truck. I don't know about anyone else but when 4 of us go starhopping, we come pretty well packed with luggage and scopes and if I can increase the safety margin of the truck, I'll consider it.

So I ask, does anyone have them installed?

David

I have bags on mine. I used Air-Lift I believe is what they are called. Keeps the truck level even under load, which for safety reasons, is needed.

While supplemental help for a trucks suspension is a good thing, it will not increase your tow capacity, legally.

If ever stopped for an inspection, the officer will go by posted weights and limits on your trucks stickers, not what you have under the truck.

That said, I put Timbrens under mine to help keep it level while towing.


Steve

huntr70 wrote:While supplemental help for a trucks suspension is a good thing, it will not increase your tow capacity, legally.

If ever stopped for an inspection, the officer will go by posted weights and limits on your trucks stickers, not what you have under the truck.

That said, I put Timbrens under mine to help keep it level while towing.

Steve

Unless they are carrying a scale, how are they going to know unless the truck and trailer are visibly overloaded? Would they escort you to the nearest scale and demand you to be weighed?

At the risk of being flamed, I often will have 5 people, or about a 1000 pounds in the cab and all the stuff is in the trailer. For my own interest, I need to get a tongue weight.

How often have RV'ers been stopped for a weight issue?

David

I haven't seen any campers at the weigh station, but the bags mainly just help keep it level which makes it a safer ride. You just don't want to overload the rating of the truck even though it's level your adding more weight on wheels than what was made for them including the axles. When I worked at the Dodge dealer we had a truck come in that had broken the hub off of the axle while using the bags he just thought since it was sitting level it was fine and if it wasn't he would just add a little air till it was. no warrenty for incompetence, they are nice just be carefull.

dchaviland wrote:

huntr70 wrote:While supplemental help for a trucks suspension is a good thing, it will not increase your tow capacity, legally.

If ever stopped for an inspection, the officer will go by posted weights and limits on your trucks stickers, not what you have under the truck.

That said, I put Timbrens under mine to help keep it level while towing.

Steve

Unless they are carrying a scale, how are they going to know unless the truck and trailer are visibly overloaded? Would they escort you to the nearest scale and demand you to be weighed?

At the risk of being flamed, I often will have 5 people, or about a 1000 pounds in the cab and all the stuff is in the trailer. For my own interest, I need to get a tongue weight.

How often have RV'ers been stopped for a weight issue?

David

Probably not many RV's, but around here on the interstates, the DOT do carry portable scales and stop traffic quite often to do random weight checks.

I'm not one to talk, since I am most likely overweight for my truck since Dodge has the lowest cargo capacity of the big 3......just saying that a lot of people think they are upping their weight capacities, but are really just adding bandages to a problem.


Steve

dchaviland wrote:

huntr70 wrote:While supplemental help for a trucks suspension is a good thing, it will not increase your tow capacity, legally.

Unless they are carrying a scale, how are they going to know unless the truck and trailer are visibly overloaded? Would they escort you to the nearest scale and demand you to be weighed?

At the risk of being flamed, I often will have 5 people, or about a 1000 pounds in the cab and all the stuff is in the trailer. For my own interest, I need to get a tongue weight.

How often have RV'ers been stopped for a weight issue?

David

Yes and yes. The state DOT officers carry portable scales and they will take you to a weigh station. I have not seen them bugging any RV's yet, but I understand it is happening in California. I heard California is even requiring an upgraded class of driver's license (not CDL) for heavy RV's.

I personally do not have a problem with this. I have seen too many overweight, unsafe RV's driven by unqualified drivers. I was just looking at one of those toy haulers that can gross close to 20k. The salesman tried to convince me that my F350 would not be overloaded with the unit he wanted to sell me. It wouldn't have been by much, only about 7000lb.

I won't argue with you. I've seen a number of rigs on the road that have had me scratching my head. I'm also surprised that salesman wanted to sell you a toy hauler that would have exceed the capacity of your F350. I almost wondered that when the salesfolk at my place were trying to tease me with a three axle Escalade.

Back to the point, I've run some number and if my guestimates are true, I'm under my gross combined weight but the only place I have of doubt is that I will need to get a tongue weight with my rig loaded as if I'm going somewhere. Worst case scenario is that I might be a tad over on the cargo load of the F250 (passengers, crap, and 5th wheel tongue combined).

Many thanks,

David

i work with a motor carrier officer, i will email him today about this. i know he does carry portable scales with him, but personally i have only seen him stop semi or dump type trucks. i know he said its a big fine per pound your over, i also know my dad whom drives a garbage truck just got an over weight ticket.

The best thing to do is get the camper loaded down such as it is when going camping. Put all the people in it that usually travel with you, fill the fuel tank and go to a local scale. That way all of the questions are answered.

Now, all I have to do is practice what I preach!

-Mark

I pull a 27RLSE with a F150 supercrew 6.5foot bed which increase's the towing capacity and wheel base. I use the ride-rites for level control. Keep's my head lites form blinding the on coming traffic. 35psi in the bags and the truck looks like it has no weight at all. And handles like it also. I have a F350 also (no compareson in ride) Ride rite's are excellent. Happy camping.

I use the ride-rites also. Mostly to level out the truck like the others have mentioned and also improve the handling.

cattledog wrote:I pull a 27RLSE with a F150 supercrew 6.5foot bed which increase's the towing capacity and wheel base. I use the ride-rites for level control. Keep's my head lites form blinding the on coming traffic. 35psi in the bags and the truck looks like it has no weight at all. And handles like it also. I have a F350 also (no compareson in ride) Ride rite's are excellent. Happy camping.

Welcome to the forum, I was just up in your area a few weeks ago to get some parts from Sharps Antique tractors. Very pretty country!!

moo2613 wrote:

cattledog wrote:I pull a 27RLSE with a F150 supercrew 6.5foot bed which increase's the towing capacity and wheel base. I use the ride-rites for level control. Keep's my head lites form blinding the on coming traffic. 35psi in the bags and the truck looks like it has no weight at all. And handles like it also. I have a F350 also (no compareson in ride) Ride rite's are excellent. Happy camping.

Welcome to the forum, I was just up in your area a few weeks ago to get some parts from Sharps Antique tractors. Very pretty country!!

You went right past me too. I'm in Seymour. It's about 30 miles from Springfield on hwy 60.

Hello: Moo2613 Guess you were after some Green Part's another good location is at Conway Lot's of Green there also. Hello to you also Big Dave. I go to Byler's off and on for Barn stuff. I think I've seen you on the road. We just got back from trip to South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado this Tuesday. Had a great time. Wanted to add got lot's of looks from 3/4 and 1 ton owners of trucks when they saw the f150 supercrew with ride-rites on pulling the Cat. Setting tall and level. They really do make a difference. Happy camping