Rear end sag

[starfighter]

I'm towing with a 2012 Rav4, 6 cyl. with towing package.

Towing a Lil Snoozy and trailer weight and tongue weight are within allowable.

Rear end drops almost 3-1/2" with trailer on. Tows great @ high speed, never any sway, BUT.......... Many times I cannot get tongue wheel down and almost always drag at slopped driveways.
I was thinking either spring enhancers of some kind or Firestone air bags.
Anyone have a suggestion, or experience ?
Thanx

[David Tilston]

I like air bags.

[Bob Miller]

3-1/2" of drop sounds like a lot, especially if the bed is otherwise empty, here's four ideas:

1. Did you get actual weights of the trailer and tongue? Sometimes there are nasty surprises awaiting there.
2. This is a fairly easy to take care of the jack hitting:
The Ultimate Jack - Trailer Jack at its finest!
3. Or, what I have to do with my Hunter, is simply remove the tongue jack each time I hook up.
4, Check with the mfg. and verify that all of the parts that were supposed to be included with the towing package are actually there. An "as-built" sheet should have come with the vehicle, if not, ask for one based on the VIN.

[floyd]

Does your Lil Snoozy have a swing jack?
If so, you could likely solve the problem by switching to a vertical tongue jack.
That is assuming that you are satisfied with the rest of your set-up and the jack clearance is the only issue.

Caution! be sure to get a tongue jack which is shorter below the flange.
It will have a foot which can be switched to an optional wheel.
The foot gives more clearance. You could use the foot for trips and the wheel when needed (like at home to move the trailer around)
Scamp now uses a jack as I described on the 13 with plenty of clearance.
You could get it from them if you can't find it locally, or you could just call them and ask for the brand and part number.

I think a vertical jack is superior for RV applications anyway, I switched mine over some years ago when the short ones became available.

[stevebaz]

If the trailer coupler is below level when hitched up because off the droop then you can get a different stinger or a high base ball to level it out. That should help. I like the idea of Firestone air bags as it solves allot of other issues. In the old days we would have just used air shocks.

[Eddie Longest]

Allan
Deryk who own a Parkliner was towing it with a RAV4. I think he was using a WDH but I'm not sure if he was using air bags. He later switched to a Frontier for a tow vehicle.
Eddie
Eddie

[MC1]

3 1/2" is too much in MHO.

Air bags will work but can firm up the ride.

If the lil snoozy's allow it a WDH would be a much better idea. You would be amazed at how much better it feels and will tow with the WDH.

[Wallo]

I tow a 13' Scamp with a 2012 rav4 v6/tow package. Mine sags also. Weight distribution in the rav helps, but I've been told to use the air bags.

[honda03842]

I wonder what the tongue weight of your trailer is. My Scamp lowered the tongue of our CRV about an inch. To lower the CRV that much would require a 600 pound tongue.

Do you know what your tongue weighs?

[starfighter]

I don't have the tongue weight but.....I lift it by hand to get the wheel to swing down so.......prolly not much.....

[deryk]

Yup i had a rav4 traded it in last year for a Nissan frontier. The sag is a problem. I tried the firestone air bags....it did help a bit but ended up getting a weight distribution hitch. When i was down at Parkliner last November i met a couple their that used to tow a boat with their rav4 tried the wdh for a while and i guess they didn't balance it right and did some front end damage. I am much happier towing with my Frontier.

[David B.]

Since the Lil Snoozy uses hydraulic surge braking system, I don't think that a weight distribution hitch could be used.
Dave & Paula

[starfighter]

yes, sag on the Rav4 is a common problem.
Some have gone to SumoSprings but.......???
Etrailer is looking for a solution for me but it's no big deal...just a bit of a concern getting in and out of slopped driveways.
The tongue jack I can usually get by lifting the tongue an inch or so and just once I had to use a jack to get the wheel down to disconnect.
I have read that air assist can be a pain to install so I was considering the rubber blocks that folks use to install in coil springs to add boost.
Just hoping for some experienced comments....

[MCDenny]

I had the exact same tug/trailer combo as you with extra weight (two golf cart batteries) on the tongue. Sag was pretty bad but the air bags helped. If memory serves, they reduced the sag by about an inch. Not much effect on ride. Not too expensive <$100. I just used a bicycle pump to inflate them. The volume is low so only took a few strokes.

We towed the Snoozy about 10,000 miles with the RAV. It worked fine.


Denny Wolfe
Wanderingourway.wordpress.com

[MC1]

Originally Posted by David B.

Since the Lil Snoozy uses hydraulic surge braking system, I don't think that a weight distribution hitch could be used.
Dave & Paula

Oh no, do all Lil Snoozy's come with surge brakes?

[Bob Miller]

I think that I once read on this site that frames for Lil Snoozy's were built by a boat trailer manufacturer.

Boat Trailer = Surge Brakes??? 90% of the time, I Think because it's not nice to back electric brakes into salt or fresh water maybe?

[starfighter]

yep

[Mike Magee]

I got them to install electric brakes on my Hauley, so if you request it, they can get it. The frame mfr actually orders and mounts the axle, and they are the ones that do the brakes. Snoozy just has to specify what they want delivered, then they mount the body onto it.

With the Hauley, I'm constantly changing the weight as I make deliveries (unloading as I go about my route). Surge brakes would have been problematic to adjust under those conditions, I think. That is why I required electric brakes.

[MC1]

Sounds good Mike. Looks like the options are there for those who order new.