Stronger springs or better shocks

[1942cowdodge]

As you can see in the picture my Dodge looks like a low rider. I know I need better springs or better shocks. Does anyone know of air shocks that I might buy that will adapt to my Dodge? Or would a new set of shocks get my old car up oft it ***. I might try to redistribute some tong weight from the trailer and place some weight back behind the axel. But for now trailer is parked and not going anywhere. It does trailer nice behind my little truck but the Dodge it needs some help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited July 5, 2010 by 1942cowdodge

[Captain Neon]

I have Monroe MA727 air shocks on my P15. They come as a pair. A good local auto parts stroe should be able to get you a set or cross-reference with the brand they carry. I got mine from O'Reilly's.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MON3/MA727.oap?year=1956&make=Dodge&model=Coronet&vi=1331547&keyword=ma727

[40plmczy]

Cowdodge, not to hijack your post but what kind of hitch are you using to tow your trailer with? Is it bumper mounted or frame mount? I have a 64 Sero Scotty I'm planning on towing with my 40 dodge tudor sedan when I get the car finished. Nice car and camper by the way. thanks, shawn

[greg g]

if your springs are original to the car, I think I woul dhave them re arched and maybe have an extra leaf put in, or something similar to pickups, where it doesn't come into play till the weight pushes them into contact.

I have seen lots of air shocks pop under a load. Remember shocks are there to damp suspension movement ot to support weight.

[rockable]

If you're happy with your regular ride height, you might consider adding airbags instead of air shocks. The bags can be adjusted to the load you need and then deflated to a minimal pressure when you're not towing.

[greg g]

Tongue weight shouldn't be more then 10 to 15 % of the weight of the trailer. That set up shouldn't be more than 250 lbs. Or less than the weight of two adults in the back seat. Does you car sag that much with passengers and stuff in the trunk??? Do you have any broken leaves???

Measure you tongue weight with a bathroom scale. If it exceeds the weight of the scale, place one end of a 6 foot 4x4 on a block of wood on one end and the scale ad th other end on the scale, then put the tongue in the center of the beam. to find the weight double the scale rreading.

[1942cowdodge]

Thanks I will weigh the hitch today! Everyone I hear from likes the looks of the old Dodge with the trailer its just setting it up right.

Well just weighed in the trailer weight and it looks a bit heavy if I'm reading this right. Right now it weighs in at around 320 lbs or close to that? I guess I will try to put some weight in the back of the trailer and see if that makes much of a difference. Captain Neon stated to me that it should not be more than 10 to 15 percent more than the weight of the trailer it self and so if the tongue is weighing in at 320 lbs that would make my 14 Aljo weigh in at over 3,000 lbs. I really do not think it weights this much and this along with maybe weak springs is causing this dip on the rear end. Thanks Jon

PS. Think I will invest in some helium balloons and attach them to the hitch!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited July 7, 2010 by 1942cowdodge

[martybose]

You definitely want to move some weight to the back of the trailer; without a weight-equalizing hitch (which you can't use on a bumper-mount anyway) the excess tongue weight will move the car around a lot in crosswinds.

Marty

[Niel Hoback]

Be very careful with weight in the tail of the trailer. Too much and you will get some very scary fishtail action when yoiu try to stop quickly. As stated before, tongue weight should be at least 10% of the towed weight. It makes the trailer pull straight. Same effect as putting weight in the nose of a model airplane to make it fly straight.

Also the trailer should be level or slightly nose down when you pull it. Having the coupler too high will also contribute to wagging your tail.

These things were learned at great expense and peril. As they say, experience keeps a dear school, but a fool will learn in no other.

[Captain Neon]

Thanks I will weigh the hitch today! Everyone I hear from likes the looks of the old Dodge with the trailer its just setting it up right.

Well just weighed in the trailer weight and it looks a bit heavy if I'm reading this right. Right now it weighs in at around 320 lbs or close to that? I guess I will try to put some weight in the back of the trailer and see if that makes much of a difference. Captain Neon stated to me that it should not be more than 10 to 15 percent more than the weight of the trailer it self and so if the tongue is weighing in at 320 lbs that would make my 14 Aljo weigh in at over 3,000 lbs. I really do not think it weights this much and this along with maybe weak springs is causing this dip on the rear end. Thanks Jon

PS. Think I will invest in some helium balloons and attach them to the hitch!!!!!!!!!!!

That would be Greg Gonyea, not me. Credit should go where credit is due. I only know which air shocks I used on my P15. I know next to nothing about towing as the whole concept makes me nervous.

[greg g]

You can stow the propane tank/s eleswhere while towing, but not in the car.

[louie the fly]

I think your Dodge looks pretty darn good just the way it is. But, I have Polyair springs in my OT coil sprung Toyota 4WD and they work great when we load up the rear. I'm sure there is something simiilar in the US of A. Also, in my OT Cross8 wagon is has self levelling rear suspension. When I hook my boat on it adjusts itself. Really cool.

I still like your Dodge like that though.

Louie

[Don Coatney]

So, how is this project coming along. Thread has seemed to die off without a solution:confused:

Shel;

The soloution can be found on one of the many other threads dealing with this same subject.

[1942cowdodge]

Well I'm almost ready to try see how the trailer fits up to the Dodge. Believe you me I'm being being very cautions about this idea. The helper springs worked out great and I would suggest to anyone here if there springs are a little bit tired then give these a try. Also if your shocks are old and the 1/2" nut that retains them feels like its galled to the threads I would drill out nut and relieve the pressure on the treads. If I would have know that I would haft to make up a new bracket for one of the shocks I would have drilled that retaining nut. But anyway the whole unit is back together again and ready for a test drive. As you guys know my car has over 270,000 miles on it and so everything seems to be a little tired underneath. I really think that's why that retaining stud broke because of metal fatigue. Now to replace the front shocks and then that it!!! Got the window out and new glass being made for it as I type away.