Hi all, I plan on posting this across as many forums as I can but I thought I'd start here. (maybe our customer service friends can advise as well? wink wink)

So I have a 2007 Chevy Tahoe LTZ with autoride suspension. I believe some would call this a NNBS style for what it is worth. It has rear shocks with airbags on the shock and a compressor that inflates them when a load is put in the back. I should clarify, they are always inflated as dictated by the level indicators, even with the truck off you can feel air in them. I believe this is by design.

Anyways, my question is how to properly set up with a WDH (weight distributing hitch) when towing. The manual suggests letting the bags inflate prior to adjustment of the WDH (I assume they mean the spring bars), but that is about as far as it goes.

Since the bags are already inflated, even with the key in the off position, is that what they mean?

Basically I see two options:

Option 1

1. Key OFF. Truck not running.
2. Attach trailer to hitch, adjust and attach spring bars accordingly.
3. Key on. Truck will see a change in level sensors and air up suspension to its predefined height.

Option 2

1. Key ON. Truck running.
2. Attach trailer to hitch, truck will immediately see a change in level sensors and air up suspension to its predefined height prior to any chance to adjust and attach spring bars.
3. Adjust and attach spring bars accordingly.

So which way would be the correct way to do it. The internet is full of differences on this subject. Some say it makes a difference, some say it doesn't (I'm kinda in the camp), some say try it and see.

Quite frankly I've tried it a bunch of different ways and since conditions are always changing, its hard to know what if any difference is really happening. Some also make claim that the current gen of trucks say something different, even though they may also have the autoride feature. I also wonder, if you do it a specific way and then say you stop for gas and turn it off, do you have to unhook and rehook the trailer again, because you shut it off?

Does anyone have an answer on this? Usually there are enough of one answer on a subject that makes sense that you can call it definitive or at least say "most do this". On this subject though, I can't really say that.

Any help is greatly appreciated, I just want to do it right.

 

According to this, airbags should not be taken into account when setting up wdh. They are in place to assist the weight distribution system, not vice versa.

How Do Airbags Affect Installing and Setting Up a Weight Distribution System | etrailer.com

 

Thanks and I agree with your statement, however, there is a gray area here in that the article describes it should be setup without assistance from the airbags, sitting on "factory suspension".

With these trucks with the autoride and the airbags that are built into the shock, that is the factor suspension. I don't think you could just deflate those bags and drive around like that, because they are part of the system. The rear end would likely sag way too much without any assistance from the bags.

If you had normal shocks, and airbags in the springs...like the kind you would adjust to stiffen or soften the ride, then I think it would be way easier to deal with.

 

I think you're overanalyzing this. Are you planning to tow with the weight bars? Then hitch up and attach them before you turn the ignition back on. Let the truck then level itself out.

Safety tip - I didn't have autoride in my 01 Burb, but I did have the self-leveling shocks. Don't let that lull you into an attitude of "I can pull anything." I think the lack of sag on my rear suspension led me to overload my rear axle, resulting in several breakdowns in the middle of vacations.

 

Yes, I am towing with this vehicle with a WDH. Our trailer and gear are well within specs of the vehicle, and I am constantly making sure I'm not putting too much or too little weight here or there.

Its more like I am overly **** about it. LOL

I've also replaced the rear shocks with arnott rebuilds and the fronts as well, though I ended up disabling the auto dampening on the front so I could use regular struts up there. Didn't want to but it was more cost effective.