Towing suspension

[steveoe]

I have a 2008 Chevy Tahoe ltz with the z55 rear suspension. I currently don’t have the air ride on or compressor for the rear. What would be the best springs and shocks for towing. I was going to get overload bags that fit in the coil springs. Just wanting to know what else would be good to get. I seen moof coil springs didn’t know if they are heavier duty? Thanks

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You definitely should get air lift bags for the coil springs, if you plan to tow. The Z55 coil springs are softer than non-Z55 rear suspensions for a smoother/softer ride, as the Z55 air shocks compensate for any increased weight in the back by adding air from the compressor. You could get non-Z55 coil springs which are stiffer, but if you tow, you still would need to consider adding air lift bags.

Lots of folks here like Bilstein shocks for these trucks.

Other knowledgeable folks on this Forum will chime in.

 

[Bill 1960]

Best would be to repair what you have with OEM in my opinion.

A good weight distribution and sway control hitch is the key to pleasant towing. Nothing else is as effective.

 

[steveoe]

This is my only picture of it so far. It’s got 162,000 miles. I was thinking about putting slam specialty air bags on just the rear but that is gonna be pretty expensive and it is 4wd. Is suncore industry worth looking into if I go back to the stock air ride? And does the stock air ride last long in the salt belt? I’m from Indiana thanks for the help

 

[steveoe]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You definitely should get air lift bags for the coil springs, if you plan to tow. The Z55 coil springs are softer than non-Z55 rear suspensions for a smoother/softer ride, as the Z55 air shocks compensate for any increased weight in the back by adding air from the compressor. You could get non-Z55 coil springs which are stiffer, but if you tow, you still would need to consider adding air lift bags.

Lots of folks here like Bilstein shocks for these trucks.

Other knowledgeable folks on this Forum will chime in.

Hey I just looked at a picture of urs. What exhaust do u have I seen u have duals.

 

[Geotrash]

I have a 2008 Chevy Tahoe ltz with the z55 rear suspension. I currently don’t have the air ride on or compressor for the rear. What would be the best springs and shocks for towing. I was going to get overload bags that fit in the coil springs. Just wanting to know what else would be good to get. I seen moof coil springs didn’t know if they are heavier duty? Thanks

I tow a 7000 lb camper with mine and agree with Bill that repairing the factory system is the way to go. It's actually a super easy system to work on. You can buy new OEM rear air shocks from Rock Auto for $250 each, and a new compressor for $200. The Dorman compressor is excellent, and when coupled with a properly set up weight distributing hitch, will completely eliminate any sag.

 

[avalonandl]

I agree, put Arnotts in the back and the dorman compressor. Rock Auto.....

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Hey I just looked at a picture of urs. What exhaust do u have I seen u have duals.

This is a Gibson Extreme cat-back dual exhaust. Way too loud for most folks, but fine for me.

 

[Bill 1960]

This is a Gibson Extreme cat-back dual exhaust. Way too loud for most folks, but fine for me.

I would love to have that on mine. Occasionally.

But certainly not for trailer towing. I did that once; put on a perform exhaust and set out on a cross-country trip towing a travel trailer.

Put the factory back on as soon as I got home.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I would love to have that on mine. Occasionally.

But certainly not for trailer towing. I did that once; put on a perform exhaust and set out on a cross-country trip towing a travel trailer.

Put the factory back on as soon as I got home.

Yeah.... We occasionally take a 5 hour trip towing my tiny 1000 lb trailer, and we go over some mountain ranges. My wife is definitely NOT happy on those trips. Normally, I would just crank up the stereo, and the drone magically goes away, but my wife does NOT like loud music, either.

 

[steveoe]

is there any place where I can get the plugs for the shocks when I bought mine they where cut already and have the resistors on them already. I seen suncore industry are they any good? Do the shocks last? I will be pulling a 4000lbs camper with mine. Thanks geotrash for positing that. I would love to get an exhaust system on mine. Just not a loud one thanks everybody for the info

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I had Suncore shocks on my truck when I purchased it, and they seemed new at the time (though, they could have just been cleaned up, when they power washed the truck prior to sale). A year and a half later two of the shocks were leaking, and that is what prompted me to restore the Z55 suspension on the truck.