One of the major factors in safely and comfortably towing a boat lies in the tow vehicle’s suspension. Poor or overloaded suspension can result in woes ranging from a harsh ride and annoying handling problems to a serious accident. Many aftermarket products exist to help bolster your vehicle’s suspension and eliminate these problems.

It should be understood that all tow vehicles come with maximum weight ratings from manufacturers — gross axle weight rating (GAWR), gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combined weight rating (GCWR), maximum tow rating, etc. — that shouldn’t be exceeded. It’s false reasoning to think any aftermarket suspension product will increase your rig’s maximum tow rating; how-ever, they can help some vehicles operate more efficiently within their towing confines.

There are telltale signs your suspension may be begging for assistance: The rear of the tow vehicle sags considerably when the boat trailer is hitched up. Oncoming vehicles flash you to dim your lights even though your high beams aren’t on. Your steering seems flighty or less controlled, or, in some cases, the trailer sways. Other factors can contribute to these problems, but the culprit often lies with the suspension.

A vehicle tows most efficiently when it maintains a level altitude with the trailer. If a tow vehicle’s suspension can’t handle the trailer’s tongue weight, the vehicle will sag at the hitch. The weight pushing down the vehicle’s rear simultaneously lifts the vehicle’s front. This, in turn, can affect the steering; the front wheels doing the steering don’t have the traction they should since the vehicle is basically trying to do a wheelie. If the vehicle is front-wheel drive, the problem is compounded. Imagine the difficulty a rig like this will have trying to pull a boat out of the water on a slippery, steep launch ramp.

Sometimes merely shifting your load can help to rectify this dilemma. If the rear of your tow vehicle and the bow of the boat are packed to the gills with gear, try redistributing the gear to see if the sag lessens. More than likely, you’ll need to do more.

A weight-distributing (load-equalizing) hitch can be a real asset. This type of hitch uses spring bars that help to evenly distribute the weight between the front and rear axles of the tow vehicle and the trailer axle(s), thereby leveling the ride. The spring bars can be adjusted to vary the weight distributed.

Because many tow vehicles have factory suspensions soft-tuned to provide a comfy ride when not towing, they benefit from suspension upgrades when called to tow. If your soft-sprung tow vehicle is equipped with leaf springs in the rear, you might want to consider installing helper springs or air springs to add stiffness to the suspension so it can better handle the boat and trailer’s weight. The beauty of most helper springs, which are bolted to the existing leaf springs, is that they provide stiffer suspension when there’s a load but don’t affect the ride in non-towing situations.

Air springs work similarly to helper springs because they can be bolted onto stock leaf springs to provide added stiffness to the suspension. They also offer the advantage of being adjustable. By adding or reducing the air in the system’s bladders, you can fine-tune your suspension to the desired stiffness level, deplete the bag of air if you’re not towing or carrying a heavy load, and then add the air needed to compensate for extra loads. A few new luxury tow vehicles now come with auto-leveling air suspension systems. Some air-assist systems employ gauges in the cabin so you can see how much air you’re pumping into the bladders via the onboard compressor. An added advantage of a few air-assist packages is the availability of connections that permit you to add air to low tires and water toys. Be aware, though, that neither helper springs nor air springs serve the same purpose as a weight-distributing hitch because they don’t distribute weight between axles.

High-performance shocks can also help a vehicle’s suspension. Stiff shocks can help compensate for soft springs. In addition to helping level a ride and smoothing out bumps, they reduce body roll and are useful in heavy winds. Some shocks are adjustable and work similarly to an adjustable air spring. While installing performance shocks on the rear has its obvious benefits when towing, a vehicle’s front shocks can have a tremendous effect, too. The reason is that the front shocks affect steering response and tracking, adding to the overall    stability. A stable tow vehicle contributes to a stable trailer.

Finally, you can beef up your suspension by replacing the stock rubber suspension bushings and mounts,  which are common on most pickups and SUVs, with firmer and more durable polyurethane components. Standard-issue suspension bushings  and mounts are usually made of soft rubber that may contribute to understeer and wheel hop. Performance components, on the other hand, generally improve handling and control without adversely affecting ride quality.

Go-To Receiver

If you need a new receiver for your heavy-duty boat-trailering needs, check out the latest release within the line of Ultra Frame Receivers from Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese. The Ultra Frame Receiver, part number 41937, fits a large selection of GM vehicles. Ultra Frame Receivers are designed to tow all types of trailers and can accept many accessories, including hitch balls and traditional ball mounts as well as specially designed Ultra Frame hollow or solid shank ball mounts. Each of these Class IV hitches is designed with a 2-inch receiver tube opening that can handle heavy loads, providing up to 15,000 pounds of weight-carrying capacity according to the manufacturer. For more information, visit www.towingproducts.com.