Hi, question regarding whether or not WD system or air bags are required. I have a 38 fountain lightning and if you look at the pics attached, its sits a little heavy on the rear axle however not even by 1 %.

Do I need airbags or WD system or do you think this is fine? Trailer is equipped with electric over hydronic brakes and it trailers beautifully but I hate the way it sits.

Anderson has a beautiful new WD system with chains in place of the old technology "torsion bars" which caused a bouncing effect but the new chain system looks incredible and zero bounce from what I've been told.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated

Thx in advance
Barry

Looking at your pics you need the hitch. Your truck is sagging to low in the rear. That weight should be transferred to the front wheels.

I figured that, just need to decide if air bags would work better. With bags, I understand that the ride improves when the trailer is detached as well.

Thank you for your input
Barry

1) Your drawbar on the truck is too low. You probably need a rise drawbar of 2" or so.
2) You have too much tongue weight. From the pictures, it looks as though you have a couple inches that you can slide the boat backwards. Scoot the boat back so the transom meets the end of the bunks; or maybe even lengthen the rear bunks a couple inches.
3) You will not waste your money with an airbag system, period. That's a good investment, but not a bandaid for either of the above.
4) After you address all three of the above, if it still squats, then investing in a quality WD system may work for you.

Wow that's some good advice? I'll look into all of your points to get this fixed!

Thanks for your input!
Barry

I agree the airbags are not the fix for this. The draw bars transfer the weight to the front of the vehicle. You could move the boat back if you have adjustment, but you should measure your tongue weight before you do anything. If you think it tows good now, wait till you add the draw bars.

I agree with sidewayz but personally like more tonque weight then less.

I would for sure adjust the hitch to its proper height

Install air bags

Enjoy!

also just to add the weight distribution if you leave the bars on at the ramp when wet you will unload the suspension and spin the tires so you will need to use the fwd..if not using the wd hitch make sure you use a solid bar receiver..i don't know how many people don't take that into consideration and i see allot of people towing huge boats with a hollow type receiver..

btw,,i like to see 10% of the actual total weight as tongue weight..i use one of
my scales for scaling the race cars..

Have had several Super Dutys, Pulled my 42 Beak with no problem, All I ever did was install larger bump stops made by Timbren. Timbrens only run about $200.00 and install in less than 1 hour.

That all depends on Tongue Weight.
I'm not an expert on CoG on Fountains, but I'd rather see that first step closer to that first axle on the trailer.

I don't like the Timbrens. I've been in trucks with them, and investigated them via online videos. All they do is transfer jitters to the frame; they don't dampen anything. IF all you are doing is transferring weight to the (solid) frame, you are going to stress out the outboard rear axle bearings and axle seals.