Pickup truck suspension question

[Queen]

Ever since we put a fiberglass topper on our 2016 Nissan Frontier 4x4, the back end squats.  I know the stock crap tires and shocks are to give it a more car like ride, but it makes the truck useless for towing... I pulled a 5x8 trailer to Florida with it and it sagged so bad it scraped going into some gas stations.

If we want to tow a camper something's got to change, thus my question, what to do about the suspension.  I don't want to mess with air bags but was wondering if leaf spring helpers or better shocks would do the trick?

[tx2sturgis]

If we want to tow a camper something's got to change, thus my question, what to do about the suspension.  I don't want to mess with air bags but was wondering if leaf spring helpers or better shocks would do the trick?

Shocks don't carry the load, they dampen the ride...So don't get talked into airshocks, because damage will occur, sooner or later.

Air bags will help, but then you need to carry a compressor, use one at gas stations, or have an on-board compressor installed.

A helper leaf might work, but the ride, when unladen, will be stiff. 

A good solution would be a weight-distributing hitch. They can be a hassle to set up correctly, but if you get the right weight range, they will move some of the weight to the front axle and help level the truck's ride.

To shop for one of these hitches, you need to know your trailer weight and approximate tongue weight.

[Queen]

One shop already tried to talk me into new shocks, so I figured I better ask here before I got fleeced. 

I think I'll pass on air bags, I cannot squat or kneel so less futzing is better. 

Would leaf springs raise the rear a little?  

Pretty sure Casita offers a WD hitch option when you buy from them, illI look into it.  Thanks.

[Putts]

I'll second the weight distribution hitch. I had one on a big trailer attached to a one ton van and it did wonders. You're much smaller, but the principle remains the same. You might want to look into tires that have stiffer sidewalls or something.

*Cue smarty-pants tire person.*

[tx2sturgis]

If you have trouble with squatting or kneeling, (bad knees or hips) then a WD hitch might be a problem. You would need to bend over and adjust the bars, so be sure you can do this.

In your situation, a simple helper leaf added to each side might be the answer. You probably need to find a specialty shop such as a 4x4 shop or spring and axle shop to do this for you. They will probably have a range of spring rates to pick from, you might need only a light or mid range to do the trick. You may find that they WILL recommend heavy duty shocks to match the added spring rate...this is a good idea. 

Just FYI, these don't increase the ability of your truck to carry or haul more weight, they just help the truck remain more level when doing so.

[Queen]

New tires are definitely on the list. I cannot believe they put those crappy "P" car tires on a truck, according to the door sticker I'm supposed to replace them with P tires and not LT. Be interesting to see if the chain places will sell and install the ones I want.

[Queen]

If you have trouble with squatting or kneeling, (bad knees or hips) then a WD hitch might be a problem. You would need to bend over and adjust the bars, so be sure you can do this.

In your situation, a simple helper leaf added to each side might be the answer. You probably need to find a specialty shop such as a 4x4 shop or spring and axle shop to do this for you. They will probably have a range of spring rates to pick from, you might need only a light or mid range to do the trick. You may find that they WILL recommend heavy duty shocks to match the added spring rate...this is a good idea. 

Just FYI, these don't increase the ability of your truck to carry or haul more weight, they just help the truck remain more level when doing so.

Thanks a bunch. The truck is rated to tow 6100 pounds and we're looking to tow about half that, I'd just really like the hitch to not drag on the ground!

[Blacktank]

my 1/2 ton 4x4 was sagging a touch empty but when i loaded it up with wood it saged a lot and was scary at speed,i added a set of helper springs like these http://www.jcwhitney.com/details/Hellwig...lsrc=aw.ds
they mount solid in the center and have threaded ubolts on the end you can adjust for ride height and when they activate
made a huge difference in the sag when loaded and drivability when loaded

[Blacktank]

also if your trailer is putting a heavy load on the tongue and truck you need to do some weight distribution on the trailer,the trailer is suppose to carry its own weight and the truck just to pull it

[poncho62]

If your truck is squatting with just a cap added, the suspension must be pretty weak to begin with. How old is the truck, could it possibly have broken or worn out springs?
I have an older GMC 1/2 ton. The previous owner put an extra leaf in the rear spring packs. It does ride a little stiff, but I am used to it. I have had a 6000 lb 5th wheel on it and it only dropped about 2 inches.