air shocks or air bag?

[Jeepm@n]

Need to do some towing with my 96 XJ. My 94 used to have air bags but it's gone. Anyways I'm towing a double axle pop-up and know the rear is going to sag. I was thinking of saving myself some money and getting air shocks instead of bags. My only concern was the strength of the shock mounts on an XJ don't seem too strong to me. I also would be saving about $120 and about 3 hours of install time. What would you do? No changing the tow vehicle as it is not an option.

 

[Rev Den]

Air shocks.

If you bust the mounts, then the trailer is too heavy anyway.

Rev

 

[IllianaXJ]

Your XJ will hate that load. I know it is rated for it, but still. I have the same camper and I prefer to use my truck over the wife's Durango to pull it. I have been known to tow with overkill though.

 

[POLAR_JEEP_04]

Air bags. Air shocks WILL come through the floor with a load. Unless you build a shock mount that doesn't bolt to the floor but I'm still saying bags.

 

[lesslimited]

Best thing is a weight distributing hitch. Perhaps a bit of overkill for a pop up, but if you have any significant tongue weight it will be more stabile than any air bags or shocks.

We towed our Aerolite all over the country with a light duty weight distributing htich with no issues, other than wishing for a bit more power on some of the mountain passes...

 

[POLAR_JEEP_04]

That's a big x2 on the hitch

 

[Jeepm@n]

I'm definitely getting air shocks but how do I tell which weight distributing hitch do I need? I have no bathroom scale that would handle the tongue weigh but I can barely lift it and I do not consider myself weak. Where do I find the weight of my trailer? My trailer also has surge brakes. Can I still use a weight distributing hitch? I may buy both if I can sell my lift kit in time. I do not plan on selling my camper any time soon so investing in the safe towing gear would be worth it in my eyes.

 

[Jeepm@n]

lesslimited that is a beautiful shot with the Jeep and camper.

 

[lesslimited]

I'm definitely getting air shocks but how do I tell which weight distributing hitch do I need? I have no bathroom scale that would handle the tongue weigh but I can barely lift it and I do not consider myself weak. Where do I find the weight of my trailer? My trailer also has surge brakes. Can I still use a weight distributing hitch? I may buy both if I can sell my lift kit in time. I do not plan on selling my camper any time soon so investing in the safe towing gear would be worth it in my eyes.

To find the tongue weight...
http://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx
I believe 550 lb bars are about the smallest available, but I could be wrong.
Weight distribution should not in any way affect surge brakes.

lesslimited that is a beautiful shot with the Jeep and camper.

Thanks, wish I had a better scan of that old photo. That was somwhere near the north end of Lake Powell.

 

[Jeepm@n]

Stopped at the Jayco dealer. They would not sell me a weight distributing hitch for such a light trailer especially being it is a fold down camper with dual axles. They said get the air shocks or air bags first. Then I if have issues yet, to come back and get a sway control kit. Found out a fully loaded trailer according to them weighs approx 3400lbs. My tongue weight is from 200-300 depending on whether I had the water tank and propane tanks full.

 

[Jeepm@n]

Ok full trip with my new boat loaded with gear and was able to test the air shocks.They are awesome compared to the crap I used to put on my 79 Camaro to jack up the arss end decades ago. They actually were softer then I expected yet I was able level it right out and the Jeep pulled it like a dream. Seem to be using an external air bag design with a hydro shock as opposed to the old air charged piston of the earlier series.

Rev thanks again for the recommendation of the air shocks.