I have an 88 Suburban V20 that I use for towing a 4700lb travel trailer - on rough pavement (most of the SF Bay Area - especially 580) it's like I'm on a rock strewn(sp?) back road. The truck jitters, crashes, bumps, and even feels like it surges. Moments later when the pavement changes (like on 92 heading to the San Mateo bridge) the whole ride smooths out and everything is cool.

It has the stock springs, but I added Rancho 9000s in the rear (set to 1 I think), Air-ride bags in the rear (set to 80-90psi when towing) and Rancho 5000s in the front.

I doubt the air bags are helping the ride any, but they do raise the rear up when towing. I'm also interested in keeping its current stock ride height and how flat it corners (very) - can you have a soft/smooth towing ride AND a stock look?

I have ranchos on my heep and rides the same way. Come to think of it my blazer has ranchos and rides the same also. I dont think I like ranchos anymore.

If the truck is sitting on the overloads it will ride crappy. Keep the bags at 5psi or whatever the minimum is with no load. If your not towing you can back the pressure down a little on the tires. 80psi dont absorb much. You could even take a leaf or 2 out of the pack and just compensate with the airbags when towing. Make sure your sway bar can move freely, and most importantly make sure you springs are not bottoming out on the frame in the front.

Charlo

Try a firmer setting on your shocks, when I tow I set mine all the way firm. Some GMs came with longer rear springs, if your does not have them, that will help. How are the front shocks?


:beer:man

I had terrible luck with Ranchos on my towrig (too stiff & soft all at the same time), but some guys swear by setting their rear 9000's on "4" when towing.


TEX

The fronts are probably too stiff for what I want - at least thats what I'm thinking since there are 4 of them. But I can really feel the rear so for the moment I'll focus on that.

I'll change the shock settings the next time I tow and reduce the pressure in the air-bags a little too.

The fronts are probably too stiff for what I want - at least thats what I'm thinking since there are 4 of them. But I can really feel the rear so for the moment I'll focus on that.

I'll change the shock settings the next time I tow and reduce the pressure in the air-bags a little too.



4 Rancho 5000s................... OUCH...... Try some cheap Autozone shocks. I thought they were 20 times better than the 5000s I took off.