Tent trailer and van sagging

[homer]

I have the exact same tent trailer that we see on the forum . I'm planning to buy a Sienna in June. I'm worry to see the van sagging a lot since there is no self leveling shock on this van from factory.

My G.Caravan 2006 with the towing package have those nivomat shock and they are doing a very very good job. The van is always level , no matter how I load it. Should I keep money aside for coil spring balloon or I'll be ok for about 10 trips a years

[rstanek]

Our 2000 had a bit of sag when hauling a p'up that was 1,471 (dry). Not enough to make a huge difference, but I noticed it.

The new to us 2006 Sienna is getting an air lift kit. roughly $70 from Amazon.

I've seen some Sienna owners hauling p'ups that I know to be over 2,100lbs dry (with no weight distributing hitch), and that would scare the bejeezus out of me personally.

[scubajoe]

I put the airbags in my van, and have been very happy with them. Anything beyond that, and either 1) your trailer is too heavy for your van, or 2) you need to decrease your tongue weight.

Personal opinion, of course.

[dave in wi]

That's my van and camper - I installed Airlift air bags in the rear springs. You can put up to 35 psi in the bags, with a full load in the van & camper I sometimes approach that. I like the fact that the air bags keep the van level when towing - I've seen some Siennas REALLY sagging when loaded. I pump up the air bags with a heavy load without the camper as well. They are pretty easy to install too.

[scubajoe]

I drove from Kansas to North Carolina once, with a 5 Liter engine block in the rear, 6 passengers (one was a baby - but all the "stuff" adds up to another person), and all of our luggage, and a full carrier on top, and nothing in tow. The airbags were great! So, long story short, we use them not only for towing.

[teachndad]

I am planning to add the air bags after I purchase a used first gen Sienna. When using the air bags while towing does the ride get harsh especially in the back?

Does anyone have recommended psi's for travel. I am only asking, because I don't want to go through all the trouble of doing a shake down cruise with the trailer and the family inside and then do adjustments along the way on a major trip.

When I pull my pop up( @1400 lbs) and 3 adults and three small kids in it, will they be getting the bouncy bouncies like being in 3/4 ton pickup, in the back seat?

[dave in wi]

I'd start out at 35 psi and see how the ride and height is. You can always bleed some air out at a gas stop. You are only supposed to add air while unloaded so you'd be better off doing it this way.

Having said that with a Gen 2 Sienna I've found that with a load and camper, 25-30 is usually enough.

The ride can be rougher, but you get that somewhat with a camper anyway, because it feeds bumps back into the van through the hitch.

[scubajoe]

I have a 16 foot, 2k lb. travel trailer, and I don't think I've EVER put more than 25 psi in the airbags. I thought the MAX was 35, but I'd have to check. Normal driving, you want at LEAST 5 in them so they stay inflated. I've inflated for a trip, and left them that way whether or not I've had the trailer on the back. They do not have a major affect on ride. You'll notice it in the back, but it's not so bad that I you need to deflate them every time you unhook the trailer.

[homer]

Thanks guys ! I'Ll look at the air bag

[LennyO]

Just had a Class III hitch installed on a 2006 Sienna LE at U-Haul - wired with seven pin and brake controller. Also purchased a Valley cargo carrier and am planning to get a popup camper. Read the forums here and ordered the air lift kit from Amazon. Is it easy to install? Any useful tips? I think they would help the OP as well.

[scubajoe]

Just follow the directions. It takes some work to get them into the spring. One idea that *might* help would be to take some weight off the springs by slightly lifting the body with a jack (careful - don't hurt anything), just to stretch the springs out some - NOT trying to lift the tire off the ground! That might give a little more room to get the airbag in.

JUST BE CAREFUL if you do anything like that. I do not think that I did. I just worked them through the springs. It too a while, but it's not hard. Then I think I pushed the bags toward the top so I could access the nipple on the bottom to connect the air line and clip.

[LennyO]

Thanks! I was going to use my hydraulic floor jack to jack it up (need to rotate tires and replace front brake pads anyway). It looks easier if I remove the wheel first - not sure - we'll see.

[teachndad]

There is a video on etrailer.com on how to do this without disconnecting the springs. They use a wooden spoon to squeeze it in between the springs. I will post the link in a few.

Rod

[teachndad]

Lenny,

Nuts,

I can't find the video, now. Basically, you raise up the rear end on jacks, then feed each air bag into a gap between the coil in the spring. Once the springs are distended from raising up the chassis, then it leaves enough room to feed in the airbag. The video showed them using the pole end of a wooden spoon to push the air bag up into the interior of the coil spring. I read somewhere last night, someone had coated the airbag with silicone to make it slide in easier. Water based lubricant like KY might work and then you could easily wash it off, so it doesn't attract dirt. Just an idea.

I will still see if I can find the video.

Cheers

Rod

[teachndad]

Hi,

I found this link with step by step videos for installation of the airbags. I have not looked at all the videos. Scroll down to see all the different videos with brief descriptions. Of note, the initial video at the top of the page shows a coil spring with big gaps between the coils. The sienna doesn't have such big gaps between the coils, but take a look at the videos to see if it's what you can use.

http://www.fsip.com/riderite/applica...tall_01.shtml#

cheers and good luck. I will be behind you in the this process.

Rod