Leveling Kit and pulling a trailer

Jtink · Jan 27, 2019

I have a 2016 Burban, no self leveling.
I recently upgraded wheels and tires to 22".
I do get a slight rub when I turn all the way to the right, not to concerned with that.
However looking at the stance of my ride I think it would look better bringing the front up to level with the back.
My concern is trailering, I pull a boat trailer as much as I can during summer months.
I see pickup trucks that have leveling kit and once a boat or tt is attached they drop and look like they cant handle the weight.

Can I just add shocks to the front and fill with air to satisfied height?
Could I do the same with the rear? For trailering? Or is that a pain to do?

Kelsda · Jan 27, 2019

Look up (air lift) they have some nice kits,I don’t if they make something for your model but check it out

05alive · Jan 28, 2019

You can't add air to shocks. Unless you have some crazy air coilover system, the shocks don't set ride height, really. A level kit for your truck is a spacer.

I don't think you should have an issue but if you're worried, you could put helper bags in the rear.
Just go for it, if you have an issue the airlift kit is like 60 bucks and is fairly simple to install.

Mike N · Jun 18, 2019

Jtink said:
I have a 2016 Burban, no self leveling.
I recently upgraded wheels and tires to 22".
I do get a slight rub when I turn all the way to the right, not to concerned with that.
However looking at the stance of my ride I think it would look better bringing the front up to level with the back.
My concern is trailering, I pull a boat trailer as much as I can during summer months.
I see pickup trucks that have leveling kit and once a boat or tt is attached they drop and look like they cant handle the weight.

Can I just add shocks to the front and fill with air to satisfied height?
Could I do the same with the rear? For trailering? Or is that a pain to do?

What did you end up doing? After buying my '15 Yukon XL and taking it to OR for a road trip to include renting a camper trailer, I decided a load leveling hitch is by far the best solution for pulling a trailer. Airbags may lift your ride but then you have ride issues and possible sway and steering issues. The taller end does not provide heavier towing. Only the load leveling hitch does it all and only is needed when you are towing.

Tylus · Aug 5, 2019

I installed 1000# airbags in the rear of my 'Burb. With a 6k trailer behind me, I only dropped 0.5" with 30 psi in the airbags. They are rated for 50 psi @ 1000#

very good investment to prevent squat

Larryjb · Aug 5, 2019

If your trailer is weighing down the rear end, some weight has been removed from the front which could compromise steering and handling. Unless you have some major tongue weight, this may not be significant, but I would want to find out in an emergency situation.

Only the load levelling (or weight distributing) hitch will transfer weight back to the front wheels.

olyelr · Aug 6, 2019

If you like a leveled vehicle (as I and many others do) and level it for when you are unloaded, the vehicle will certainly be low in the back when hauling a heavy trailer (or even when full of passengers and gear).

Really the only way to avoid this is by either adding air bags in the rear, or rear air shocks like gm offers from the factory. Either are great setups IMO.

Leveling Kit and pulling a trailer

Jtink

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Kelsda

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05alive

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Mike N

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Tylus

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Larryjb

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olyelr

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