Towing with a lowered truck

Geoff Standish · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 843 City: Calgary

I have a 2001 GMC Sierra and am tossing up the idea of a Bell Tech 3/4 lowering kit. I'm just wondering if it will be alright for towing? Anyone out there towing with lowered vehicles?

For the wheels and tires I would be moving to a 40 series with 22" rims.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Hockeyplayer · Posted: Nov 06, 2004 10:38 am Post subject:

Its done all the time.

The only thing I would worry about is making sure your suspension can handle the weight of the boat once its lowered. If it cant then your tires will rub against the wheel wells when enough weight is put on the back of the truck.

not sure why you would want to ruin that beautiful truck though. Very Happy

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

Personally, if you tow any kinda weight at all behind your truck (say 3000lbs+) I wouldn't recommend the kinda lowering kit you mentioned. You'll run into a number of challenges with that much drop.

First, you 'may' get wheel rub and/or axle bump (axle hitting the bump stops) from towing.
Second, 40 series tires provide virtually 'no' sidewall give (like your 70 or 75 series do), so the ride is going to be a little rough to say the least.

Now you could add a pair of air bags to the back to try and help support the trailer weight, but that's just more $$$ to try and fix the problems you'll create by lower the truck.

My suggestion, if you want to improve the look of your ride add a set of custom wheels shod in say 60 series rubber and ditch the suspension drop. I guarantee, you'll be happier in the long run.

-Mike-

vawakemonster · Posted: Nov 06, 2004 10:59 am Post subject:

how about lower the truck and then by a piece of $h1t truck outa the newspapaer i.e $1000 70s or 80s pickup just a truck to pull with

Geoff Standish · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 843 City: Calgary

Thanks for the advice...

How about a 2/3 drop then? Give a little bit more clearance for the tires? The tongue weight on a boat isn't that much is it? Not enough to considerably push the rear down? Even now my truck doesn't sink much when I hook the boat to it. I do want to drop it, I just think when you add the new wheels without a drop it just doesn't look right...

Perhaps a set of 20's to give a little more sidewall flex?

I'm not into towing with a P.O.S., we go on alot of long trips. I need something dependable. But that would have been a cool idea.

Broccoli B · Posted: Nov 06, 2004 2:57 pm Post subject:

i would reccommend lowering it with airbags. Also, you may need a raised hitch instead of a dropped hitch.

We lowered my buddies S-10 and it needed a 6 or 8 inch drop hitch flipped upside down to get back to the correct towing height.

hundo · Criminal Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 60 City: Salem

Even with the best lowering kits the ride will be not so great towing.

Eric Golsan · Posted: Nov 06, 2004 6:21 pm Post subject:

Bag the rear. Raise the rear while towing. There is some firmness in ride from lowering, but by no means does it change the ability to tow. Same suspension componets. In fact bags are better for loads.

I have run both 20's and 22's with no problems. Pulling a fairly heavy boat. Tire clearance is a concern. But depends how low you drop it. A 2/3 should be no problem running 22's.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Geoff Standish, airbags, 'nuff said.

Good enough for semi-trucks good enough for you? Wink

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

macdaddy · Newbie Joined: 06 Nov 2004 Posts: 1 City: yo momma

YO Geoff don't belive the hype. I jjust Did a 2/3 drop on my burb. running 305's with 22's. towed for the first time today... NO!! problems no air bags still rides great. the ride is a little harsher when not towing but it corners alot flatter Wink

Zook · Posted: Nov 06, 2004 9:49 pm Post subject:

I am pulling a 1999 Mastercraft 205 V-drive with a 1998 Yukon 4/4 drop( spindles, shackels, and springs) with 20x9 20's and 275/45 and have no problem in tow. I actually think that it responds better with a load. Just get a new trailer tongue or flip your old one around.

Geoff Standish · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 843 City: Calgary

It's rather interesting how there is such a varience between all the comments. With the stock setup I'd say the ride could be firmed up a bit without becoming harsh. It's pretty sloppy right now. I do appreciate all the comments...keep them coming. I would be curious if anyone out there has a Silverado, Sierra running the same setup? Or something close? I suppose macdaddy, burb would have the same suspension setup as my truck?

I'm no suspension expert...Could alot of the harshness be taken out with a decent quality shock? I plan on replacing the shocks on all 4 corners.

I guess the other thing I should mention is the truck is a 4x4. I know what your all thinking! But I need the 4x4 here in Canada for the winter. Will it help or hinder ride quality?

This is the same color as my truck...This site was the one that got me thinking about doing all this!

http://www.streetsourcemag.com/ViewOwnerProfile.aspx?Profileid=26799

Basically, my goals were to fill out the wheel wells (Thus the drop). Improve the cornering and handling performance. And of course, look sweet A$$. I'm also doing a brake kit upgrade as well. If I decide to go through with it.

Keep the comments coming, I appreciate all the feedback.

flukdfilms · Posted: Nov 07, 2004 12:41 pm Post subject:

i don't know much on the topic, but another suggestion would be to drop the front and let the truck ride aggressive. however, it just wont look the same as a fully lowered sierra.

Eric Golsan · Posted: Nov 07, 2004 12:55 pm Post subject:

Here is my Yukon Xl with 22's on 305-45. Stock height.

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

Guest · Posted: Nov 07, 2004 9:28 pm Post subject:

I'm running as low profiles as I thought was safe for towing on my 20's, and haven't had any problems as far as towing characteristics.

One complaint about the low-pro's is a couple weeks ago, I tried to cut a corner going into an alley and hit my rear rim on the curb and got a little gouge in it. Bummer...

Edit* Hmm, odd...anyone else having problems with posting pics? I'm getting this "Sorry, but the maximum filesize for all Attachments is reached. Please contact the Board Administrator if you have questions."

karkid · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 327 City: Tempe

if it's 4wd i wouldn't go too low, but 2 to 4" isn't gonna hurt a thing, and bagging the rear will always make for a nicer ride

my uncle put bags on the rear of his suburban for towing a boat, 4wd suburban

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

what's the story with airbags? I've never heard of them (always been a sports car guy not a truck guy) but now I have a '95 Tahoe to tow the boat with. The ride's a little rough and the back sinks pretty low with the boat in tow. Anybody have a link to some info on them (how much they cost, what they do, how hard they are to install)

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Wakebrad, check this out:

http://www.fourwheeler.com/howto/80258/

Geoff Standish · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 843 City: Calgary

BigDeal, I was looking to do the Eradispeed +1 kit once I get my new wheels. I like the idea of this Brake kit, using the stock calipers but increasing rotor diameter. Keeps the cost down all the while giving an upgrade in braking performance. Glad to hear of a guy with them that has had an upgrade in performance. I wasn't sure if I should believe all the manufacturer hoopla!

Eric Golsan, when you put your 22's on did you notice a difference in ride quality? How does it tow? I'm just trying to determine how much of the harshness is caused by the 22's and how much would be from the suspension lowering.

From what I'm hearing the harshness would come from the decrease in suspension travel like BigDeal, said. So basically for the amount I drop it, that's how much I lose in wheel travel?

That's a cool link chavez, I will look into how much more bag for the rear will be.

karkid, with what I'm hearing I'm leaning more toward a 2/3 drop as oppossed to the 3/4.

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

actually it feels really bouncy all the time. I'm sure it's just the transition from a BMW to a truck but I just wish it had a smoother ride in general. And less roll on turns would be nice too... What do you guys think would be the best/easiest/cheapest solution to just get a smoother suspension?

surfsup · Outlaw Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 118 City: Orlando

I've got 20's on my '03 Silverado Z71 at standard height. The folks I talked to indicated that some 20 inch tires and most 22's weren't rated for pulling anything over 4000 pounds. My boat and trailer are about 5000 pounds so I ended up putting on it a Michelin LTX M/S 275/55 20. The tire has a light truck rating for off road and towing capabilities. The "experts" indicated it should build up less heat during towing that my 20 inch Goodyear Eagle GT IIs on my Yukon.

That said, if you're not towing a great distance each time, it probably doesn't matter much.....

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

Eric Golsan · Posted: Nov 08, 2004 9:35 pm Post subject:

Geoff Standish,
Tires-
There is some notice in firmness and feeling the road. More of a positve response to the road. There is no difference in towing. After running both 20's and 22's, I think the 22's ride and drive better. ( same tire manufacturer, Toyo )

When you lower any vehicle it does get firmer. And depending on the lowering kit design. For instance, if you just drop the torsion bars( new torsion keys ) you limit your travel by how much you drop it. There is also spindle drops. They lower without limiting the travel. Then you can go to a full upper and lower A arm kit. Same with the rear. From spring lowering to full on multilink suspension kits.

There are many different kits. And price is a big factor. There are some simple 2/3 kits availible on Ebay under $200. Rear spring and front torsion bar keys. Maybe try a cheaper kit see if it fits your needs and driving likeness.

With wheel and tire combo again price is a BIG factor. 20" wheels and tire should be under $2000. 22's will run $3000 and up. Most chrome wheels are of the same quality. Tires vary more in price and quality. I've run Toyos and have been very happy. The 20's ran 30k. Now running 22's and had them siped, seems to ride better and run cooler.