New Suspension to help w/Trailering
 

I bought a 2008 Dodge Durango. Towing capacity is just under 9k with my set up (under the total weight of my boat/trailer). It tows great, seems to stop OK, but I get major bounce back when I go over a bump (back end bounces up and down some, more then it should). The load distribution and tongue weight is dead on. Basically the suspension on it sucks!!! Anyone have a similiar experience with their tow vehicle? I'm looking for suggestions...do you think I can correct that with just replacing the shocks or do I need to switch out the springs to something a little more beefier? And what will that do to my ride quality when not towing?

you can put air bags on the rear of the truck...or go with a weight distribution hitch to put the load on all 4 tires instead of just the rear of the truck...

Thought about the load dist hitch, but to be honest, the suspension is really terrible to begin with, and I hear that they only get worse as you put on more miles, so I don't mind putting in new stuff, just want to make sure I am doing the right things. I think new shocks would improve the ride in general, but I don't know that it would help when trailering. If anyone has some suggestions, pls let me know.

Thanks,
Chris

Your best bet is probly changing to air shocks. I don't know that anyone makes air bags for trucks as small as yours but you could check.

Air bags. Then when you don't need them you still have a good ride.

Have 38 scarab with 1200 tongue wt, towing with 3500 duramax, simple cure was airbags on back. best $300 and 3hrs of my time to install I could of spent.

When I was working in Iraq we had a dozen Durango's that some brilliant person in logistics decided that we should put up-armor kits on, the kit weighed about 2300 pounds. They all rode exactly as you describe yours too. After the giant fiasco involved in getting approval to modify a government owned vehicle we installed air bags and compressors on all of them and the ride was significantly improved. They were still not what I wanted to be in when running from incoming fire though, when you hit a pothole doing 50 plus they reacted in some wild ways.

You need a bigger truck. That Durango is made for people hauling; with a pop-up camper, or a pair of PWCs; no matter what the Dodge marketing department deems the tow rating ought to be.

Fact is, we never tow with the truck "empty". We've always got 3 days worth of luggage, and 2-5 people in the truck, tools, coolers, etc. etc. All of this weight diminishes from your overall GCWR. If your boat/trailer is already over the rating of your truck, you are already towing illegally, and just asking for more trouble.

Remember, fuel in the boat is 6 lbs. gallon; and water is 8 lbs. per gallon; then tools, anchors, lines, spare parts, etc. etc. too.

If I ever go to a bigger boat, will def be getting a bigger truck. Wasn't ready for a pick up because most of the time (like you siad) I am people hauling, and it just made more sense for me at this point. I make 1-2 significant trips (200 or so miles) a year, but other then that I am driving 2 miles to and from the ramp. I figure if I am going to upgrade the suspension (which is something I want to do anyway) I might as well take into consideration any options that would help me while towing as well (also tow the sleds during the winter).

If I loaded my truck with a bunch of people and gear and hauled my boat with a full tank of gas I would be close to being over the limit, but I am usually pretty careful about that.

Only $300? What kind of airbags did you buy?

I can only imagine! That's really been my only complaint with this truck...the suspension sucks, but I guess it is easily enough replaced.

Oh, and glad you got out of there ok!!! :ernaehrung004:

Tow ratings have been grossly exaggerated by all of the manufacturers over the span of the last several yeats. They're building the exact same trucks using the exact same componentry and ratings have increased by 20 to 30%. That's because marketing departments have taken over setting the ratings instead of the engineers doing it.

Firestone and Load-Rite airbags will cost you less than $300 with a manual fill kit.

Interesting...for some reason I had thought that the manufacturers were, if anything, underestimating the tow ratings in order to be on the safe side. I also tend to think that is also has a hell of a lot to do with the type of trailer you have and they way it is balanced. My last boat was on a POS trailer and was all off balance.....you'd hit 55 mph and it would start to sway. Now I have a bigger/heavier boat but it tows a lot easier then my other one (because it is much better balanced and on a better trailer). Easy tow at 55 mph +.

I'll look into those airbags you suggested Chris. Thanks.

lots of factors at play here, many mentioned above are excellent thoughts. mostly, if you are within the weight limits and mfg tow limits, there are a few things that are key. one- your tongue weight. two- how the boat is balanced on the trailer and the trailers suspension setup. three- if you are maxing the vehicles ratings, the manufacturer has certain criteria under which it acheived those ratings, wheel base-4x4 or 4x2 engine , trans, rear differential etc.. make sure you know the gross COMBINED weight rating of your truck and what it is towing. not the max tow rating. these are VERY different. you are right , the back should not bounce severely . most of the comments on these threads are guess work as they need more information to accurately asess your situation. i tow for a living and would be happy to help you on the matter. call if you wish 847-809-7110. safety first! dont gamble your life on rushing to the lake unsafely.

I been using my 2004 Durango for towing since I bought it new. first towing a 23 foot Wellcraft (5800 lbs, boat, fuel, and trailer), and now a 25 Outlaw (6200 lbs, boat, fuel, and trailer). Throw in a couple people, and a weeks worth of gear and I'm probably around 7000 - just under the max tow rating. I've never had and issues, I get people telling me all the time that my Durango is too small/not meant to tow like that, but I'm totally happy with it. did a 1900 mile tow a few months back picking up the Baja with no complaints (except for the fuel the Hemi drinks when towing!)
I wonder if Dodge has changed the suspension on newer models to save a few bucks in production costs.

Summit Racing where I got my air bags. Makes a huge difference. Do the air bags.

Air Bag's

Go to your local hitch dealer and ask what he installs. I put the Firestone Ride-Rite bags on my 2006 Dodge diesel. Firestone might have bags for your truck.